As part of the Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism (Riverways II) project, experts from the University of Tartu Pärnu College, together with the project partners, have developed the “Guidelines for Accessible and Inclusive Water Tourism”, providing practical recommendations for creating more accessible water tourism services.

They include practical recommendations on working with different target groups, safety, customer experience, communication, and accessibility solutions for the built environment.

The publication will also be valuable for municipalities, tourism information centres, infrastructure planners, and anyone interested in creating a more accessible and inclusive environment.

The guidelines are available in Latvian, English, and Estonian, and we encourage everyone to use them both in their daily work and when developing new services.

The project “Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism” (Riverways II) is implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme.

On 18 June, partners of the Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism (Riverways II) project from Latvia and Estonia gathered in Limbaži to review the project’s progress, plan upcoming activities, and discuss best practices for improving accessibility in water tourism infrastructure.

Following the partner meeting, participants visited Limbaži Lielezers Beach, where a floating pontoon pier with an adapted platform for easier access to the boat has been constructed as part of the Riverways II project. The beach has also been equipped with a spacious and functional changing cabin, an accessible walkway leading into the water, and other improvements that enhance accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors, families with young children, and other groups of visitors.

During the visit, participants were guided by Jānis Remess, representative of the Limbaži Municipal Agency “Lauta” and Head of the Limbaži Municipality Public Waters Management Unit “Alda”. Earlier that same morning, before the partner meeting, he had welcomed accessibility experts from the Latvian disability organisation “Apeirons”, who assessed the infrastructure developed through the project and other initiatives. The experts highly praised the results.

At the same time, the experts provided several practical recommendations for minor improvements that would make the beach even more convenient for all visitors. It can already be confidently stated that Limbaži Lielezers Beach is one of the best examples of accessible recreational infrastructure in the Vidzeme region.

On 19 June, the Riverways II project partners visited Līgatne, where they explored the town’s cultural and historical heritage and discussed accessibility aspects in one of Vidzeme’s most popular tourist destinations.

During the project implementation, accessibility improvements will also be introduced at Lake Burtnieks in Valmiera Municipality, Lake Zāģezers in Valka Municipality, and Lake Lubāns in Madona Municipality, making water tourism infrastructure more accessible to a wider range of users.

The project “Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism” (Riverways II) is implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme.

The Vidzeme Planning Region, in cooperation with local municipalities, has created new tactile solutions and audio guides. The work was carried out as part of the “Access Routes” project. Both the tactile objects and the audio guides are accessible and engaging not only for people with visual impairments, but for every visitor. The new objects can be found at seven popular tourist attractions: Lake Lielezers in Limbaži, Skaņaiskalns Nature Park in Mazsalaca, the Madona Local History and Art Museum and Gulbene Station, Litene Manor, the nuclear missile base in Zeltiņi, and the Bilska Lake nature trail.

The new objects include figures and miniature scale models of places, as well as large-format maps. The objects will help people with low vision or blindness gain a detailed tactile understanding of significant historic buildings, sites, and living creatures, as well as grasp the scale and layout of the places they visit.

At the nuclear missile base in Zeltiņi (Alūksne municipality), a rest area featuring a tactile map with a bench is available at two locations. The map allows visitors to explore the site’s layout – including strategic structures such as shelters, hangars, and other buildings – as well as residential houses and roads.

On the Lake Bilska nature trail (Smiltene municipality), a “Bird Tree” has been created, featuring local winged inhabitants at their natural size along with an audiovisual solution. Visitors can learn about the birds nesting on and around the lake by touching relief images and listening to recordings of bird songs. Scanning a QR code provides further information about Lake Bilska itself.

At Lake Lielezers in Limbaži (Limbaži municipality), visitors can explore an artistically interesting environment object called “The Beaver,” as well as a tactile map of the beach and nature trail. The map helps people with visual impairments understand their location and the positioning of various features in the environment. An audio guide is also available there.

In the Skaņaiskalns Nature Park in Mazsalaca (Valmiera municipality), a relief map of the park has been installed to help visitors explore the surrounding area and its points of interest. New directional signs lead to these points, and an audio guide tells the story of the park and its trails.

At the Madona Local History and Art Museum (Madona municipality), a scale model of the historic grounds of Birži Manor is available, along with an audio guide. Nearby, on Parka Hill – which offers a panoramic view – an informational bench invites travellers to sit down and listen to a story about the surroundings and the town’s history.

Near the Gulbene Station building (Gulbene municipality), facing the town, stands a scale model featuring the station, its auxiliary buildings and railway tracks. An audio guide recounts the story of what was once an important railway junction. Gulbene municipality also has a second tactile object at Litene Manor. It helps visitors discover the manor along with its park and farm buildings, while an audio guide offers more about the manor, its owners, and the twists of its history.

The audio versions in Latvian and English have been narrated by actor Ivo Martinsons.

We invite you to journey through Vidzeme and discover these special attractions!

Photo: VPR and partner municipalities.

When home and the backyard start to feel too small in summer and adventures call for the open spaces of nature, we invite families with young children to explore two circular routes in Valmiera Municipality. One is located along Section 8 of the “Forest Trail” (Caunītes–Valmiera), near Sietiņiezis, and the other along Section 10 (Strenči–Spicu Bridge), near Kauči (landmark – the parking area). Both routes form a loop and return to the starting point, and in nature they are marked with the “Brīvdabis” sign.

Circular route near Sietiņiezis

This 3.8 km educational trail starts and ends at the Sietiņiezis parking area. Four outdoor games have been installed along the route, allowing visitors to learn about forest animals, discover the sounds of different tree species, and play with the “Rain Stick” installation. The route is partially stroller-accessible, though one section has stairs.

Circular Route near Kauči

This 3 km trail offers a digital educational game in which participants answer questions about the surrounding nature and cultural heritage. A smartphone with the LOQUIZ app and mobile internet access is required. The game is free of charge, available in Latvian and English, and can only be played while on the route. The starting point is the recreation area by the river Gauja (Kauči). The route is also suitable for walks with strollers.

Both trails and the games installed along them were created to make the “Forest Trail” more accessible to families with children. These shorter hiking routes are also suitable for travellers who cannot or do not wish to hike the longer sections of the trail. The routes were developed by the Vidzeme Planning Region within the Estonia–Latvia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme project “Accessible Hiking Trails”. We invite everyone to explore the “Forest Trail” and follow the “Brīvdabis” markings!

Photos: Juris Smaļinskis (“Baltic Country Holidays”), Zane Kaķe, Baiba Šelkovska (Vidzeme Planning Region).

Translated from Latvian into English by Liene Pelēkzirne (Vidzeme Planning Region). 

The warm season is approaching, bringing a growing desire to spend time in nature, go hiking, and enjoy active recreation. For this reason, the Vidzeme Planning Region has prepared a short, educational, and inspirational video featuring experts, hiking organizers, avid trail walkers, and travelers sharing practical tips on planning and preparing for a hike with children of different ages.

Advice is provided by nature researcher and owner of “Ērgļu stacija” Māris Olte, Head of the Conference Department at “Estravel Latvia” Madara Brūvere, tourism specialist of Smiltene Municipality Rūta Brakovska, and traveler and video blogger Ervīns Elliņš.

The video will be useful for parents, educators, hiking organizers, nature guides, and trail infrastructure developers. It has been created as part of the project “Forest and Coastal Hiking Trails’ accessibility improvement for different social groups” (Accessible Hiking Trails), supported by the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme. The aim of the project is to improve the accessibility of the hiking routes “Baltic Coastal Hiking Trail” and “Baltic Forest Hiking Trail” for people with functional impairments, seniors, families with young children, and other groups.

We invite you to head outdoors and explore the “Forest Trail” and the “Coastal Hiking Trail”!

Video by Lelde Goba and Mārtiņš Kreilis

Author: Zane Kaķe; Translation: Liene Pelēkzirne

On February 25, a training seminar “TOGETHER IN NATURE: How to Implement Accessibility in Nature Tourism” organized by the Vidzeme Planning Region took place at the Latvian State Forests (AS “Latvijas valsts meži”) Western Vidzeme Regional Customer Center in Valmiermuiža. The seminar was attended by tourism entrepreneurs, guides, tourism specialists, as well as maintainers and managers of nature trails and other tourism infrastructure facilities, along with representatives of municipalities.

The aim of the seminar was to provide practical knowledge on how to make nature tourism experiences – especially on nature trails and near bodies of water – more accessible to different groups in society, including people with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children.

Environmental accessibility expert Jurģis Briedis from the association of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons” explained the legal status of people with disabilities and how different functional impairments affect people’s ability to use the environment. In Latvia, there are more than 221,000 people with disabilities, and for some of them, these impairments, such as various internal illnesses or cognitive disorders, are not immediately visible.

The expert emphasized that people with hearing, visual, mobility, or cognitive impairments perceive and use the environment differently. Therefore, when creating an accessible environment, it is important to consider the specific needs of different groups and to follow the principles of universal design whenever possible. During his presentation, the specialist also provided information on the current legal regulations, which are binding for all builders and infrastructure developers and require certain functional standards and the inclusion of accessibility aspects from the early stages of construction.

Aija Neilande, project manager for the Kurzeme Planning Region, presented good-practice examples to make water tourism more accessible to people with functional impairments. The presentation explored various solutions for improving access to water and ensuring opportunities for people with mobility impairments to participate in different water activities, including canoeing and using SUP boards

The lecturer not only presented good practice examples – such as adapted piers, mechanisms that help people get into watercraft, and other solutions already tested elsewhere in Europe, for example in Finland – but also emphasized that these solutions can be adapted to the specific needs of each location. She encouraged everyone to be creative and to look for the approaches that best address accessibility issues in each individual case.

Māris Olte, owner of “Ērgļu stacija,” spoke about creating accessible recreational activities near water and shared his experience in organizing inclusive activities in nature. He emphasized that it is important not only to adapt infrastructure but also to design activities so that people with different abilities can participate together. Māris Olte noted that often it is enough to simply provide the basics – an idea, an opportunity, or tools (for example, fishing rods and instructions on how to use them) – and people will create an adventure that suits them best. The speaker also highlighted the importance of communication when working with different tourist target groups.

Meanwhile, traveler Aleksandrs Jevdokimovs, who uses a wheelchair, shared his personal experience of environmental accessibility not only in Latvia but also abroad. He drew attention to practical details that often determine whether infrastructure is actually usable for people with mobility impairments. Using photographs, he clearly demonstrated that formal compliance with requirements does not always make a solution practically usable. The most common difficulties for wheelchair users are surface types in parking areas and elsewhere (small stones, long grass, sand, gravel, paving stones, etc.), ramp slopes that are too steep, thresholds and curbs, and the equipment in sanitary facilities.

Madara Brūvere, Conference Department Manager at the travel agency “Estravel Latvia,” spoke about planning hikes for families with young children, emphasizing that one of the most important aspects is the ability to move along the route with a stroller. On many nature trails, the main challenges are narrow boardwalks, unstable surfaces, or sections where it is difficult to pass other visitors. Therefore, clear information about trail suitability in different weather conditions is especially important, for example, whether it is passable with a stroller, whether the trail becomes muddy in spring and autumn, and whether alternative ways of getting around (such as sleds) can be used in winter. She emphasized that it is important for tourism service providers not only to warn about limitations but also to offer alternatives, which help families better plan their outdoor activities.

Meanwhile, Rūta Brakovska, Tourism Work Organizer at the Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department of Smiltene Municipality, shared her experience in organizing family-friendly hikes in Smiltene Municipality, particularly when working with groups of children. She emphasized that for children, both spending time together and the educational aspect are very important during hikes, so nature activities should be engaging and adapted to children’s perception. In practice, simple organizational solutions also work well, for example, the possibility to transport tired participants back from the more distant points of the hiking route, as well as various simple methods that help the group move safely and stay together. Such solutions help make nature hikes more accessible and enjoyable for younger participants.

Traveler and “Ervīna Video Blogs” author Ervīns Elliņš also spoke about his experience of hiking and traveling with children. Together with his family, he actively travels both in Latvia and abroad. He shared how his family plans hikes and what solutions help make these activities more comfortable and accessible. While traveling in different countries, Ervīns has noticed several good examples of infrastructure and information accessibility, such as well-designed rest areas, clear signage, opportunities to conveniently stop and rest along the way, and other solutions that make nature hikes more pleasant and accessible for families. The speaker emphasized that many of these practices could be relatively easily adopted in Latvia. At the same time, he described situations where plans did not work out in practice, highlighting the importance of careful planning for hikes and trips and the need to keep the daily schedule flexible.

During the seminar, it was repeatedly emphasized that when planning and implementing accessibility solutions in nature tourism, it is very important to involve the target groups. The speakers encouraged infrastructure planners and tourism service providers to actively consult with the people who will use these solutions in practice – people with disabilities, wheelchair users, seniors, and families with young children. Such dialogue helps to better understand real needs and ensures that the planned solutions are truly functional, convenient to use, and beneficial for as wide a segment of society as possible.

At the end of the seminar, participants tested their knowledge in the quiz “Together on Trails, Rivers and Lakes”, and continued discussions and exchanging experiences.

The event was organized within the framework of Vidzeme Innovation Week 2026, with support from the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme projects “Accessible Hiking Trails” and “Riverways II.”

Vidzeme Planning Region invites tourism entrepreneurs, guides, tourism professionals, and other interested parties to the training seminar “TOGETHER IN NATURE: How to Implement Accessibility in Nature Tourism.” The seminar will take place on February 25 from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Western Vidzeme Region Customer Centre of JSC “Latvian State Forests” in Valmiermuiža.

When building an inclusive society, an accessible environment and services are essential prerequisites in tourism as well. The aim of the seminar is to provide knowledge on how to make experiences on nature trails and by the water more accessible to people with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children. The fewer the barriers and the more accessible the places are, the more opportunities are available for everyone.

The seminar program has been designed to provide participants with practical recommendations, introduce examples of best practice, and offer the opportunity to hear experience-based stories. Environmental accessibility expert Jurģis Briedis from the association of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons” will share recommendations on adapting the physical environment in nature tourism. Aija Neilande, Project Manager at the Kurzeme Planning Region, will present examples of good practice for making water tourism more accessible to people with functional impairments.

Valuable insights will also be shared through practitioners’ experience stories. Māris Olte, owner of “Ērgļu stacija,” will share his experience on how a tourism entrepreneur can ensure accessible recreation by the water for everyone. Traveler Aleksandrs Jevdokimovs, who uses a wheelchair, will speak about his experience with environmental accessibility. Madara Brūvere, Conference Department Manager at the travel agency “Estravel Latvia,” will explain what to consider when planning a hike with small children. Rūta Brakovska, Tourism Work Organizer at the Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department of Smiltene Municipality, will provide insight into family-friendly hikes. Meanwhile, Ervīns Elliņš, author of “Ervīna Video Blogs” and a traveler, will share his experience of how parents’ expectations about hiking in nature trails with young children meet reality.

The seminar will conclude with the quiz “Together Along Trails, Rivers and Lakes” and informal discussions.

The event is organized within the framework of Vidzeme Innovation Week 2026 with the support of the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme projects “Accessible Hiking Trails” and “Riverways II.”

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.

On September 24, 1st-grade students of Strenči Elementary School, together with their teachers and parents, were among the first to embark on a 3km circular hike near Kauči, where a digitally playable cognitive game has been created. The new route is part of the section 10 “Strenči–Spicu tilts” of the long-distance hiking trail “Forest Trail”.

In the hiking game trial, participants followed the “Brīvdabis” markings and on their smartphones answered 15 questions about nature and cultural history. The students played the game enthusiastically, and parents and educators agreed that the circular trail was just the right length for enjoying the hike with their children.

To participate in the game, you need a smartphone with the LOQUIZ app downloaded and mobile data. The game is free, available in Latvian and English, and can only be played while on the route. The starting point is at a recreation area by the Gauja River (Kauči). The route is marked with the sign “Brīvdabis” and is also suitable for walks with strollers.

The circular trail and digital game were created to make the “Forest Trail” more accessible to families with children and to travelers who prefer shorter hikes. The Vidzeme Planning Region created them as part of the “Accessible Hiking Trails” project.

We invite families with children and primary school students to go hiking and try out the new digital game at Kauči. See you at the “Forest Trail”!