In light of the weather warnings that have been issued, the Nature Conservation Agency (the Agency) urges everyone heading outdoors to consider whether a visit to the nature trails in specially protected nature territories is necessary, whether the weather is suitable for walking, what the trail description says, and whether they and those with them are able to cope with the obstacles nature has created. These include flooded nature trails and infrastructure, and broken branches and trees on the trails.

After several weeks of heavy rain, rivers have burst their banks in many places and nature trails are flooded, waterlogged and muddy in parts. Meanwhile, gusting winds have snapped trees and branches, and in places tree roots have been lifted, which makes large trees liable to snap or fall even in still conditions.

At present, waterlogged trails and rising water levels have been recorded across almost the whole country, most of all in Ķemeri and Rāzna National Park. In Latgale some trails are very muddy, while in the Rīga area several large trees have been uprooted.

The Agency regularly inspects the nature trails in its care and is gradually repairing the damage caused. We also encourage visitors to report any damage they notice on nature trails maintained by the Agency by emailing the relevant regional administration, stating the location and type of damage and, ideally, attaching a photograph.

The weather forecast for the coming days may affect the condition of nature trail infrastructure still further, so we urge you to read the trail descriptions carefully before visiting. This can easily be done in the Dabas Tūrisms mobile app or on the www.tiekamiesdaba.lv website, which brings together more than 700 different nature tourism destinations.