Jaunanna: Nature, the Pededze and the Hunting Lodge

Jaunanna brings together several distinct interests for a stay: the nature reserve along the Pededze, a short nature trail, a historic hunting lodge, and opportunities for cycling and canoeing. If you’re looking for a hotel in Jaunanna, these themes can help you narrow down your choice of destination: the key is whether you’d like to focus primarily on the landscape, local history, or an activity on the river or by bicycle.

River landscape and nature trail

The Jaunanna Nature Reserve protects the Pededze and the surrounding forests and meadows. Within the reserve, the river is an important feeding area for several rare bat species. This makes the focus not only the waterscape but also its importance as a habitat. The boundaries of the nature reserve are marked on site with special information boards, which help you identify the protected area while you’re there.

The 1 km “Bebru valstība” nature trail includes part of the Jaunanna Nature Reserve. Its length makes it a clearly defined short walking option, while its connection to the reserve reflects the route’s natural character. If you’re choosing where to visit based more on a manageable nature walk than a cycling or canoeing trip, the distance provides a tangible reference point; at the same time, part of the route runs through the nature reserve.

Two points of reference are useful for understanding these nature attractions: the nature reserve protects the river, forests and meadows; the nature trail is described as a 1 km route and includes part of the reserve. This lets you distinguish between a focus on the landscape and a specifically described trail.

The history of the manor

The “Jaunanna Hunting Palace” was built from roughly hewn fieldstones after 1904 and can be viewed from the outside. For a cultural heritage stay, this provides both a historical timeframe and a specific building material to focus on; a visit can center on the exterior. The watermills of Jaunanna Manor are also part of the area’s history: they were used to process wool and wood.

Cycling route and train timetable

Cycling Route No. 168, “Three Annas and Ērmanis,” passes through Jaunanna. In coordination with the Gulbene–Alūksne Railway timetable, you can start or end the route at Umernieki railway station. You can therefore include the station as a starting or ending point in your cycling plans; check the timetable for your travel day if you’d like to combine the railway with the route.

Canoeing on the Pededze

The Pededze is suitable for canoeing by both beginners and experienced active tourism enthusiasts. One notable point along the trip is the weir at Jaunanna: boats must be carried to Zaķu Island before being put back into the river. Take this change from carrying to paddling into account when planning your canoe trip. This is a specific difference to consider when choosing between the two activities: for canoeing, you’ll need to plan for carrying the boat around the weir; for the cycling route, consider the possible railway connection.

Discover more destinations: Kolberģis, Jaunlaicene, Visikums, Korneti, Alūksne

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Alūksnes Novads.