Mapping Wonder

Latvia’s vast network of hiking trails offers extraordinary experiences for adventurers seeking both distance and detail. Juris Smaļinskis, a biologist and tourism expert with the Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku Ceļotājs” and the key figure behind these pathways, reveals what makes them special.

Wilderness Networks

Since 2017, Juris Smaļinskis has been one of the key contributors – alongside “Lauku Ceļotājs” and partner organizations across the Baltic countries – to the development of Latvia’s long-distance hiking trails. He has led the mapping of routes, connecting segments across the country, and linking them with international paths.

Thanks to this joint effort, trails like Jūrtaka (Baltic Coastal Trail), Mežtaka
(Baltic Forest Trail), and Ezertaka (Latgale Lake Hiking Trail) are now clearly marked, well-documented, and accessible to anyone eager to experience Latvian nature up close.

“People who come here from Western Europe or Asia – places that are far more densely populated – as well as locals, often highlight the pleasure of undisturbed walking experiences,” he shares. “In some parts of the trail network, you might not meet another person even during the peak summer season.”

The landscapes are part of the appeal as well. “There’s a wonderful vastness to the views along Jūrtaka, which even visitors from mountainous regions admire,” Smaļinskis adds. “And the richness of nature – birds, animals, plant life – on these trails is truly special.”

This remoteness, however, requires careful planning. Hikers need to know in advance where to rest, eat, and resupply. To make sure everyone has what they need, Smaļinskis has laid the groundwork for comprehensive tourism guides and information resources. Each trail is broken into ~20 km daily segments, with official guides offering practical details about sights, accommodations, shops, and public transport for every stage. He has also contributed to the creation of the Latvian Nature Common Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines designed to
help hikers enjoy nature responsibly and respectfully.

A Different Kind of Trail

Not all of Juris Smaļinskis’s adventures span kilometers though. In his free time, he ventures into nature for moments of close observation rather than distance covered – armed only with the built-in macro lens on his smartphone.

“It’s my way to step back from daily life,” Smaļinskis explains. “When I notice something unusual, I want to see what it looks like up close. In biology, knowing what you’re looking for and where to find it is as essential as paying attention. That knowledge leads to discoveries.”

His findings appear regularly on his Facebook feed, where over 4,600 followers engage with his detailed photographs: a spider’s cocoon shaped like an overturned wine glass, aspen leaves decomposing under fungi, close-ups of lichens labeled with their scientific names. One especially captivating image shows Capitotricha bicolor, a spring-fruiting cup fungus with a vivid orange center and a fringe of white hairs – something most hikers would pass by unnoticed.

Through Smaļinskis’s lens, however, his followers learn to experience nature differently. His growing digital archive doesn’t just guide people farther along trails. It seems to draw people into a more attentive relationship with the natural world, proving that some of the most meaningful journeys begin by standing still.

In the future, Smaļinskis hopes to one day spot a lynx or any of Latvia’s elusive predators in the wild. However, his current focus is on something closer to home: making nature more accessible. “Everyone should be able to explore nature trails if they want to – whether they have mobility issues, vision impairment, a family with baby carriages, or they prefer biking all the way,” he says.

To help make that happen, participants from across Europe will share inclusive trail solutions at the upcoming Baltic Hiking Tourism Conference. The event will also mark the opening of new infrastructure at Apšuciems Beach, including a boardwalk to the sea and two floating beach wheelchairs for swimmers with mobility impairments.