Best places to run in Latvia

The 'Switzerland of Kurzeme', a steep-banked river valley with dolomite outcrops, rapids and trails through Sabile.

Romantic central park on the old city moat with winding paths, a cascade and views by the Freedom Monument.

Medieval Livonian Order castle ruins with a surrounding park, a fine landmark to anchor a town walk.

Lake with wooded islands in a nature park, typifying the Latgale highland landscape for lakeside walking.

Quiet dune-backed beach and meadow nature reserve at the mouth of the Daugava, good for breezy coastal walks.

Seaside pine forest park with a viewing tower and boardwalk paths through 200-year-old pines near the beach.

A 700 m wall of red sandstone up to 22 m high rising from the Gauja, followed by riverside walking trails.

Latvia's highest point at 312 m, reached by a short marked trail with steps to a panoramic summit over forests and lakes.

Latvia's largest national park, a forested Gauja River valley laced with sandstone cliffs, caves and dozens of walking trails.

The largest sandstone cave in the Baltics, a classic stop on the wooded Sigulda–Turaida valley walk.

The 580 km Baltic Coastal Hiking route (E9) following the whole Latvian seashore through dunes, beaches and fishing villages.

Coastal park of bogs, forests and mineral springs, famous for its raised-bog landscapes and birdlife.

Romantic medieval castle ruins on a rocky spit where two rivers meet, with riverside park paths.

Dramatic windswept cape where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga, with a sandy walk to the point.

Scenic 12 ha park along the Pilsētas kanāl canal, part of the leafy promenade loop through central Riga.

The Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loops past pools and pines, an easy raised-walkway hike best at sunrise.

Highest hill of the Latgale Upland with Latvia's tallest (34 m) viewing tower overlooking the region's many blue lakes.

Forest nature trails through pristine Gauja NP woodland with enclosures of native Latvian wildlife along the way.

Latvia's largest lake, a flat wetland of dykes, watchtowers and the Teirumnieku bog footbridge trail for birdwatching.

Forested 'Cloud Hill' with castle ruins and a short climb to sweeping views over Lake Rāzna.

Large forested park with paved running paths beside Ķīšezers lake and Latvia's biggest open-air stage.

The 625 km Latvian section of the Baltic Forest Hiking route (E11) through Venta valley, Abava, Ķemeri and Gauja.

Coastal park of dunes, Lake Pape and bog where wild horses and aurochs graze the floodplain meadows.

An open-air sculpture park spread over 100 ha of rolling Abava-valley hills, walkable on winding garden paths.

Latvia's largest lake by volume, ringed by hills and beaches with long shoreline loop walks.

Park around Latvia's second-largest lake, a mosaic of blue lakes, rolling hills and forest trails.

Formal baroque French gardens of Latvia's grandest palace, with long ornamental walking avenues.

One of Latvia's largest white sandstone cliffs, with a short loop trail past caves, niches and Gauja River views.

A 2.2 km trail from the lighthouse on boardwalk through wetlands and century-old pines on the Blue Hills ridge.

Wild coastal park of ancient dune ridges, primeval forest and Livonian fishing villages along the Baltic.

One of the largest bogs in the Baltics, explorable with a guide on boardwalk trails over vast moss expanses.

Pine-forest park with winding paths, plankways and whimsical wooden sculptures along the Tērvete River valley.

Red-brick 13th-century castle on a hill above the Gauja valley, the scenic endpoint of the classic Sigulda loop walk.

The mysterious 'Devil's Lake', a small emerald-green lake encircled by dense woodland on a short reserve walk.

Europe's widest waterfall (up to 270 m), viewable along its length from riverbanks and the old brick bridge in Kuldīga.

Striking 19 m sandstone outcrop at a bend of the Amata River, a popular short-walk destination steeped in folklore.