During hikes in the Krustkalni nature reserve, you will be able to get to know the uniqueness of the closed area

In order to preserve unique natural values, it is only allowed to stay in the Krustkalni nature reserve accompanied by employees of the Nature Protection Board (the board), therefore the board organizes five hikes in the territory of the reserve from May to October, in which interested parties can participate by applying in time.

Walks accompanied by administration employees will take place on May 5 and 18, August 31, September 21 and October 12. A maximum of 15 participants can apply for each group. It is possible to apply for groups of students outside of these specified dates, by communicating in advance and agreeing on the possible dates.

Getting to know the Krustkalni nature reserve takes place on the Kraka springs trail. It is almost two km long, and you should spend at least two hours to complete it. The trail will lead you along a forest road and will allow you to get to know the diverse habitats of meadows and the springs of Krakai, which is a geological object protected by the state. One of the sources is also known as Svētavots, in the vicinity of which several places of worship have been found, as evidenced by legends about the activity of witches in this area.

Participation in the hikes must be announced in time by filling out the application in the Events Calendar section of the website www.tiekamiesdaba.lv or by calling the phone number indicated on the website.

In addition to hiking on June 22 in the Krustkalni nature reserve, the administration invites you to participate in the event “Unknown about known in nature. Spiders in Krustkalni nature reserve”. You must also register for this event in the Events Calendar section of the website www.tiekamiesdaba.lv. Meeting point coordinates will be sent to registered participants.

At every event, it is advisable to dress in comfortable clothing suitable for the nature hike and the weather, and choose suitable shoes. If there is a desire, take snacks with you.

Thanks to funding from the Cohesion Fund, infrastructure has been created in the Krustkalni and Teiču nature reserves, but it is possible to visit it only in the presence of administration employees and only at certain times. In the rest of the time, compliance with the rules is facilitated by the video cameras located in the territory.

Most of the territory of the Krustkalni nature reserve is covered by forests, and the various growing conditions provide a living environment for many species, including rare and protected plant species. For example, the Siberian sedge, the great sedge, the Laesel’s sedge and the rusty black sedge. A variety of birds and mammals live and feed in this reserve, ~152 species of birds and 40 mammals have been found here. Otters, badgers, raccoon dogs, foxes, forest martens and weasels, as well as great white-backed woodpeckers, three-toed woodpeckers and woodpeckers can be found in the reserve, the nocturnal predatory bird fauna is represented by the barn owl, Ural owl, barn owl and long-eared owl.