What to See During a Winter Holiday in Latgale?

Now is the perfect time to set off on adventures beyond the city, see the unseen and conjure up a fairy tale for yourself and your loved ones. You do not really need much—perhaps a thermos of hot tea or mulled wine. It would be nice to have pleasant company with you, but you can also safely enjoy these places alone, as it is healthy to spend time alone with your thoughts and be grateful for everything you have.  

I will tell you about several places in Latvia that resemble a winter fairy tale and are, of course, located in Latgale, where winter always pampers you and tickles your cheeks during these months. 

The first stop will definitely be a nature trail. Nature trails can enchant you in any season, but when you visit one surrounded by a white winter landscape, and the sun's rays are visible as well, only one word comes to mind—a fairy tale. This beautiful nature trail is called the Teirumnīki Trail. It is only 800 m long—not too long and not too short, but an ideal stop after travelling many kilometres. The trail consists of wooden boardwalks that lead through the forest and also take you to a bog lake, whose water is said to be as black as the devil. It is the first stop where you can fill your lungs with fresh, invigorating air and admire the beauty of nature all around you. 

The next stop is Devil's Lake, also known as Čertoks Lake. Various tales have been told about this place with its mysterious waters, but despite that, it offers a breathtaking view that everyone should see at least once in their life—and why not now? This mysterious lake is located near Aglona, in a pine forest. Locals sometimes call it a cursed lake, saying that no one has ever reached its bottom. The colour of the lake can change, but its characteristic shade is greenish blue. 

Numerne Rampart is located in Krāslava Municipality, Saliena Parish. There are four lakes in this area. As you may have gathered, Latgale is rich in lakes, and they can be seen everywhere, but this attraction offers something besides lakes as well: a 20 m-high tower with a vast and marvellous view. While observing and admiring the scenery, it would be advisable to sip the tea or mulled wine you brought along and, ideally, to bring a butter croissant as well. A winter picnic above the treetops?

In winter, it gets dark rather quickly, and you will also have had your fill of fresh country air, so one of the final attractions can be a city of your choice, explored illuminated by the magic of the evening. Daugavpils or Aglona would definitely be my choice.

This beautiful holiday trip will be enjoyed 100% if accommodation is also included in the magic of Latgale. There are so many different holiday homes online where you can spend the night and wake up in a winter fairy tale. Here are a few of them:

• “Ritas” Holiday Home

• “Bērzkalns” Holiday Home

• “Strautiņu mājas” Country Homestead