Kemeri National Park

Kemeri is a former spa town and part of Jurmala, about 40 km west of Riga, and the gateway to Kemeri National Park, a protected area of bogs, forests and wetlands. The Vivi train from Riga Central Station reaches Kemeri in about 45 minutes, roughly hourly, for about 3 EUR one way. Drivers can take the A10, and the station is within walking distance of the town park and the start of the nature trails. This makes the trip simple without a car.

The best-known sight is the Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk, a raised wooden path that loops through open raised bog, with pools, dwarf pines and mosses on either side. The boardwalk is a few kilometres long, and its flat surface makes the walk easy. Information about the park and its trails is available from the national park administration at daba.gov.lv. In the town itself, a park with sulphur springs reflects Kemeri's history as a health resort, and the surrounding streets hold early 20th-century spa architecture. Visitors can try the mineral water at the spring pavilions, which has a strong sulphurous smell.

A relaxed one-day plan takes a morning train to Kemeri and begins with a walk through the town park and the sulphur springs. The middle of the day suits the bog boardwalk, which takes around one to two hours, followed by lunch in the town. The afternoon can be used for a second trail or a rest in the park before returning by train, or for a short onward trip to the Jurmala beaches, which lie a few stops away on the same line. Bringing food and water is helpful, since options along the boardwalk are limited.

The best period is May to September, when the bog is green and the paths are dry, with insect repellent useful in summer. Autumn offers colour across the bog and fewer visitors. Winter walks are possible, but wooden surfaces can be slippery. A day trip costs about 10 to 20 EUR including transport and a meal.