Bicycle route: Ērgļi- Viesakas- Jumurda- Ērgļi

Length of the route: 46 km
Road surface: 6 km of asphalt, 40 km of gravel and earth roads

Description:
The route familiarizes the traveler with Ērgļi district, the occupations of the locals, the historical heritage and the picturesque environs.

Catering:
Confectioner’s shop “Kore”, 16 Rīgas street, Ērgļi, phone No.  (+371) 64871027
Cafe “Palīgs”, 4 Rīgas street, Ērgļi, mobile phone No. (+371) 29155503
Cafeteria of the Ērgļi Vocational Secondary School, 10 Oškalna street, Ērgļi, phone No.(+371) 64871148
Restaurant „Jumurdas muiža”, Jumurdas estate, Jumurda, phone No. (+371) 64871791, mobile phone No.29282601

Information about the route
The descriptions are arranged in the following direction Ērgļi – Palšu swamp- Viesakas- Jumurda- Ērgļi.
* - visits should be appointed beforehand!

Ērgļi – a settlement with its historical origins dating back to the early 13th century. A cultural and historical center has developed here in the 19th century, characterized by many outstanding individuals in the realm of arts, music and social activities. The settlement is very attractive thanks to its picturesque nature and fascinating landscapes, rich history, sports and cultural activities, hard-working citizens.
Ērgļi Secondary School
The school building was built in 1957. A modern sports hall has been built next to the school in 2005. The school offers several programs of compulsory education; its students enjoy the opportunities to develop themselves by taking part in various elective courses: cultural education, sports and technical creativity.
Ērgļi Vocational Secondary School
Ērgļi agricultural mechanization school No.7 has opened its doors in 1960. The new building was put into operation in 1967. Here, the students may acquire professional education in hotel service, construction of wooden buildings, and the profession of an arborist. The school also provides the opportunities to improve one’s qualification and study remotely. The students are provided with hostels for accommodation, catering in the school’s canteen and the opportunity to improve themselves by taking part in various elective courses and study groups.
Z/s Dāvelnītis  Mobile phone No.26533140
 A herd of cows can be seen here.
Palšu swamp
The natural reserve was founded in 1996. The swamp was partially dried, milling peat is mined here. The botanical composition of the swamp is different from the other swamps in the Eastern part of Latvia. This particular swamp houses an especially protected plant – brown bog-rush, which is commonly found in the Piejūras lowland. Water cavities are of a great value for the biological diversity, thanks to their importance for invertebrates and birds.
Linezers
A 3,1 ha large lake in the middle of the forest that offers a pleasant rest in the woods, where one can enjoy the peace and serenity of the local nature, observing the clouds reflected by the waters of the lake.
"Viesakas” shooting range
The largest shooting range in the Baltic States (about 100 ha) offers a variety of classical shooting sports – round targets, “running boars”. The shooting range is most suitable for large-scale and Compac sporting. The shooting range is a regular host of Latvian and international shooting competitions.
Cirstu estate Mobile phone No. (+371) 29212990; (+371) 29137194
The castle of the Cirstu estate, located on the bank of the Ogre river, was built in 1886 by the last owner of the estate, M. von Strandmanis. The estate is gradually undergoing renovations. A guest house has been arranged in the castle.
Deer park “Viesakas”   Mobile phone No. (+371) 29275129, 2nd Saturday of each month
Its 500 hectare territory is home for at least 350 red deer and some 80 European fallow deer. The park also houses the only wild sheep of Europe – moufflons, originating from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Wild boars can also be seen here occasionally.
 “Viesaku” museum  Mobile phone No. (+371)  29275129, 2nd Saturday of each month
Two floors house an exhibition of hunter trophies, mostly from Latvia. A collection of stuffed local animals and birds allows visitors to take a closer look on the Latvian fauna.
Z/s Ķeizari – A herd of cows can be seen here, horse rides are available *
Castle and park of Jumurda
Center of the Jumurdas estate is considered an architectural monument as a whole, being an ancient inhabited site with a very precise functional planning. The status of an architectural monument is given separately to the castle, the park and the pumphouse. An integral element of the landscape within the architectural and building heritage zone is the lake with its opposite shore. The park currently houses the „Jumurdas muiža” leisure complex.
Jumurda lake
The rivers of Sārtupīte and Andrupīte are, respectively, the inflow and the outflow of this 177 hectare lake. The lake has 5 islands with the overall area of 2,96 ha. Each island is named after a tree: Fir Island, Linden Island, Birch Island, Alder Island and Willow Island. The „Jumurdas muiža” leisure complex is situated on the western shore of the lake. The leisure site on the lakeshore allows for a peaceful rest, admiring the scenery and replenishing the vigor required to continue the trip.
Jumurda cemetery
The cemetery was established in 1887, when the chapel was also built. The initiator was the settlement’s elder, Jānis Krastiņš. He was also the first person to be buried in this cemetery.
Memorial museum “Meņģeļi” , mobile phone No. (+371) 29431659
Native home of the Jurjāņi brothers, the founders of Latvian classical music.
Pulgoznis
A 93.3 ha large lake. Two islands are located here. An interesting feature is the stonework on the bottom of the lake, which may even be seen if the summer is dry enough. The lake is rich with different fish and water plants. In summer, one can enjoy bathing at one of the numerous beaches around the lake, wintertime presents an opportunity to go ice fishing.
“Podnieka nams” (Potter’s house) , mobile phone No. (+371) 29188891
Dish decoration, making adornments, badge drawing, painting in the open air, weaving, making rattles and drums, playing musical instruments and baking clay items in a potter’s furnace.
“Braki” , phone No. (+371) 64871569, mobile phone No. (+371) 26406289
Having deviated by some 3 km from the principal route, one may pay a visit to the place where the writer R. Blaumanis (1863-1908) used to live and work. The “Braki” farmstead is a complex of buildings characteristic for the Vidzeme region.
Ērgļi

Accommodation
Young tourist shelter in the Ērgļi Vocational Secondary School,10 Oškalna street, Ērgļi, phone No. (+371) 64871253
Hotel “Jumurdas muiža”, Jumurdas estate, Jumurda, phone No. (+371) 64871791, mobile phone No. (+371) 29282601
Holiday house “Kalmes”, Ērgļu parish, mobile phone No. (+371) 29124328
Guest house “Palīgs”, 4 Rīgas street, Ērgļi, mobile phone N0. (+371) 29155503
Hotel :Ērgļi’, 31 Rīgas street, Ērgļi, phone No. (+371) 64871604, mobile phone No. (+371) 29482053
 
Map of Ergli.pdf (2.901 MB)

Map of Erglu_district.pdf (5.425 MB)