The Great Ķemeri Bog is one of the main sulphur water producing bogs around Ķemeri. The bog land soil is poor in nutrients, acid and in many places sodden. Most trees are not able to endure the harsh conditions; therefore, there are only a few surviving species, like pine and birch; and the trees do not mature as they do in the forest.
During the passage of migratory birds the bog is an excellent place for bird viewing. There are times when flocks of hundreds of birds – geese and cranes – can be seen flying over the bog land, the sound of their cries lingering in the air.
The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk will make your way easy into this otherwise hardly accessible land of moss, undersized pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes and the flavour of wild rosemary.
The boardwalk is built from wooden boards and it runs in two arcs. The shorter arc is going to take you as far as the first picturesque lake, while the longer arc will let you take a look at the landscape from the observation platform above.
The time required for the walk is: 1.5 h (if you move along the shorter arc) or 1 h (if you take the longer arc).
Amenities: there is a WC in the area and picnic tables and benches. There are also benches on the overhead platform and at two sites along the boardwalk.
The length of the boardwalk: 3.7 km (the longer arc) and 1.5 km (the shorter arc)
Accessibility: the boardwalk is not suitable for visitors in wheelchairs and is not equipped with a rail.
Getting there:
- By car: drive along Ventspils motorway (A10) as far as the sign “Ķemeru tīreļa purva laipa” (Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk) - towards Ventspils about 200 m from the turning point to Ķemeri. Follow the sign and drive forward for about another 2 km past the Ķemeri cemetery as far as the car parking lot, where you can leave your car and walk 800 m to the place where the boardwalk starts.
- By public transport: follow the signs from Ķemeri rail station, first, cross the railway line and walk 1 km to Ventspils motorway as far as the cell-tower; we advise you to take the pathway running towards the right hand side with the sign “uz Tīreļa laipu” (to the Tīreļi boardwalk). Then, as described in section “By car”.
!!! In rainy weather the boardwalk becomes slippery, and during winter snow is not cleared. Hiking along the boardwalk is free, and the boardwalk is open throughout the year.
The car parking fee is 2 EUR.
www.visitjurmala.lv
Tukums district, LV-3133
+371 26424972
fonds@kemerunacionalaisparks.lv
www.kemerunacionalaisparks.lv
