SELONIAN TRAIL
The association "Sēlijas laivas" has created a 70-kilometer hiking trail route from Subate to Nereta. Along the ridges of oak trees, forest roads and natural entrances, through small towns and along scattered villages, meadows, marsh edges and the coast of the South Susēja. Most of the sections can also be ridden by bicycle.
The section Subate-Gārsene is marked in nature. The marking is made using the Forest Trail guidelines and colors - yellow and white. The remaining sections are waiting for marking. The route is currently being coordinated with all parties involved. GPX files are available for all sections.
More information is available HERE
1. SUBATE - GĀRSENE
The markings are made using the Forest Trail guidelines and colors – yellow and white. The length of the section is about 17 kilometers.
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
The section starts in the historical center of Subate and leads along the tree-lined avenue past the health and social care center "Subate". Behind it, you have to cross the P70 Svente-Lithuanian border. Then the route leads along a gravel road, on the right side you can see a large cross for Latvian and Lithuanian forest brothers. The route goes straight until the gravel road turns sharply to the right - the Leišmalīte section leads across the field straight to the forest. When entering the forest, you have to cross a large drainage ditch, which is marked on the maps as Dienvidsusēja.
Then the route leads through the forest to a clearing with planted pine trees. You can see the remains of an old house in it. From the house, you have to turn left towards the Lithuanian border, walking along the edge of the forest past the hunter's tower until you cross the Melnupe River. A passage has been created from trees to cross the watercourse, at certain times it may be under water. Further on, walk through the forest again to the young stand. In the young stand, the route leads along an established path along the right edge. When the path ends, turn left. The walk takes place along the state border, which is formed by the Dienvidsusēja River. After a couple of kilometers, turn left into a forty-year-old spruce stand. There, the trail crosses the border of the Subate and Gārsene parishes. When leaving the spruce stand, there is a U-turn of the State Forest Road, which is already in Gārsene parish. Continue walking for about 1.5 kilometers, then turn right onto the forest road. The further path leads along the back of a ridge. On the left, down the Dienvidsusēja River, on the right - the Baltmuiža swamp.
The path gradually becomes less important, leading into the spruce forest all the way to the ravine. This is the Lāčupe River, which flows from the swamp to the Dienvidsusēja River. Then the route leads into an older mixed tree forest. This trail leads past the Kurmiškis castle mound. Further on, the forest becomes younger: 10-15 year old birches, newly planted fir trees and then an overgrown meadow with an old tractor tire. At the tire, you need to turn slightly to the right. The route includes white alders, spruces, some birches, tractor ruts in places and large puddles. On the right side of the recently planted forest is an old house, next to it are large trees. Behind them, you need to turn slightly to the left. On the left side is a young spruce stand, on the right is an older tree stand. Further, the route leads along a municipal road. On the left side of the road is a sunken bathhouse and an uninhabited house. Further, you need to move along the farmsteads, one of which you need to pass through the yard, which the road crosses. Further on, the tower of the Gārsene Lutheran Church can be seen, on the right side of the road is the Gārsene cemetery, after which you must turn onto the paved road, crossing the bridge over the floodplain of the Dienvidsusēja until you reach Gārsene Castle - the end of the route.
2. GĀRSENE-AKNĪSTE
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
The route leads along local gravel roads with low traffic density. The landscape of cultivated fields, forests and scattered villages typical of the region. The route is suitable for cycling.
3. AKNĪSTE-SKĀRDUPĪTES
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
Along the way, you will see enchanting landscapes of the Dienvidsusēja river floodplain and valley. The route crosses floodplain meadows. During the flood season, they may be flooded. Arrival point at the historical center “Skārdupītes” - tent sites are available. There is a bus stop nearby. The route is also suitable for cyclists.
4. SKĀRDUPĪTES-ELKŠŅI
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
The forest road and the entrance lead to a section of approximately 300 meters, where you need to find a forest path. The route then leads through meadows and forest roads. At Apserde, you need to cross the regional road P73. The route then leads along scenic forest paths to Elkšnie. The route section ends at the tourist site “Alīdas kafeja” production facility.
5. ELKŠŅI – CĪRUĻI
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
The route leads along inactive but scenic gravel roads. At the end of the route, near Dienvidsusēja river, there are tent sites with a sauna on the banks of the river. A campfire site and tables. The route section is also suitable for cyclists.
6. CĪRUĻI – NERETA
GPX FILE (to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
The route leads along inactive but scenic gravel roads to the border of Nereta parish, where the roads turn into trails or natural entrances. On the banks of the river Dienvidsusēja there is a rest area with “By the old bus” – tent sites, drinking water, phone charging. Natural entrances turn into inactive gravel roads until the crossing of the regional road P73. Getting to Nereta is along a relatively dense local road. The route section is also suitable for cyclists.
7. NERETA-NERETA
GPX FILE(to open the route please use LVM GEO mobile app)
A wide range of services is available in Nereta. One of the main ones is the bus station at Dzirnavu Street 5. From there, a bus leaves twice a day for the starting point of the hike in Subate. The bus station has phone charging option and drinking water.
See you in Selonia!
www.selijaslaivas.lv