The trail winds along Lake Usma, which is the sixth largest lake in Latvia by area and the second by water volume.
A 700-meter-long nature trail for healthy walks has been built from pine boards near Lake Usma in the Usma parish of Ventspils region.
It is specially adapted for people with mobility impairments, seniors and families with small children. Audio material has also been prepared in Latvian and English, which can be listened to using QR code stickers that will be placed on the information stand.
The trail also offers a view of the fabulous and sung-about Moricsala, which is part of the Moricsala Nature Reserve founded in 1912. It is the second oldest protected nature area in Europe. One of the last little-transformed areas, where no economic activity has taken place for more than 200 years. The uniqueness of Moricsala is the very old forest, the trees growing there reach an age of up to 500 years. The island is a good home for rare species of lichens, mosses and insects, it is a paradise for beetles and the only place for an osprey colony in Latvia, 222 butterfly species have been found there, some of which are not found anywhere else in our country and even in the Baltics. The Moricsala Reserve is included in the European Union's network of protected nature areas "Natura 2000".
In 1727, while fleeing from Russian troops, Count Moritz of Saxony took refuge on the island with his soldiers. However, seeing his superior strength, the count fled the island one night and went to Ventspils, later becoming a famous marshal of the French army. From that time on, the present Zivjusala began to be called Moritzala.
The island is closed to daily visits, special permission is required Permit of the Kurzeme Regional Administration of the Nature Conservation Board.
SURFACE: Walked path, boardwalks. The path is not cleaned in winter. The surface can be slippery in wet weather.