In the project “Facilitating Access to Watertourism Activities” (Riverways II), the Vidzeme Planning Region team, together with environmental accessibility specialists from the association of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons”, have conducted a survey of water bodies.
This time, three lakes in Smiltene municipality and one lake in Alūksne municipality were surveyed:
- Lake Tepers in Smiltene;
- Lake Niedrājs in Launkalne parish;
- Lake Bilska in Bilska parish;
- Lake Alūksne in Alūksne.
The purpose of the surveys was to assess the situation on the ground to determine whether there is infrastructure near these water bodies that provides access to leisure activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, and others for various groups of society, especially people with disabilities, seniors, and families with small children.
The “Apeirons” experts primarily assessed the accessibility of the surrounding environment, for example, whether there are specially marked parking lots, adapted amenities, and access to water. However, they also paid attention to whether visitors can enjoy other recreational opportunities that the specific location offers: taking a walk along a nearby nature trail, having lunch at a cafe overlooking the lake, renting a boat, bicycle, or mobility aids.
Lake Tepers in Smiltene is a popular recreation spot for Smiltene residents and town guests. It is surrounded by a beautiful, well-organized environment and well-maintained infrastructure. The lake has well-maintained swimming areas, as well as the opportunity to rent catamarans and boats, and engage in other activities. The lake is located in the town’s territory, which makes it particularly attractive.
Lake Niedrājs is located approximately 9 km from Smiltene. It is surrounded by a magnificent forest, and a reasonably wide forest trail with a relatively smooth surface winds around the lake. This trail is accessible to people with disabilities with the support of an assistant. Access to the water still needs to be improved, and there is a lack of suitable toilets and changing spaces, but this lake is a great place to go fishing and spend time in nature.
Lake Bilska is attractive not only for the opportunity to fish and relax in a beautiful place. A bird tree is currently being built near it, which will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the birds that live around the lake. A wide, stable, and well-maintained nature trail leads around the lake. Various improvement works are being carried out at the lake in a planned manner, gradually making it an interesting and easily accessible destination for everyone.
Lake Alūksne has long been an important tourist destination and a place of recreation for the town’s guests and residents of Alūksne municipality. The Alūksne municipality has made significant investments in improving the lake’s infrastructure, and now the lake and its shoreline form a recreation complex with well-maintained swimming places and fishing spots, boat docks, bridges, benches, terraces, and cafes. It is possible to rent not only boats but also bicycles and other means of transportation at the lake. The main bridge leading to the island of Lake Alūksne will be repaired in the summer of 2026.
Although experts found issues that needed improvement or did not fully meet the basic principles of accessibility at all locations, the survey results are encouraging. Despite the fact that not all water bodies are accessible to people with disabilities without the help of an assistant, they were all found to be accessible enough to be included in the mapeirons.eu database of accessible tourism routes!
For information: Since September last year, the Vidzeme Planning Region has been working on the implementation of the project “Facilitating Access to Watertourism Activities” (Riverways II). The primary objective of the project is to identify and enhance the accessibility of water tourism sites and products. The project is implemented with the support of the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Cooperation Programme 2021-2027.
