Mārupe: Moorland Landscapes, Birdwatching and Cycling Routes

Lake Babīte is a shallow coastal lagoon lake that is gradually becoming overgrown. It covers 2,988 ha and is 1–2 m deep on average. It is also one of Latvia’s ten outstanding birdwatching areas: 184 bird species have been recorded there, 36 of which breed at the lake. The tourism offering of Mārupes novads includes the town of Mārupe and the pagasti of Mārupes, Babītes and Salas. Nature, cycling and aviation history offer different focal points for your trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Mārupe, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay.

Nature and Birdwatching

Beberbeķi Nature Park covers 275 ha and protects biologically valuable pine stands and dune formations. The “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks” cycling route leads to the park, whose landscape includes pine forest, dunes and Lake Beberbeķi. The park is used for recreation and walking at various times of the year. When there is snow, the dune terrain is suitable for skiing.

Thirteen protected bird species have been recorded in Melnā ezera purvs. The area is an important breeding and stopover site for birds during migration. More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the vicinity of Medema Moor, where the Mārupīte also rises. The 3,400 ha moor has features of raised and transitional bogs in relatively undisturbed areas, as well as wooded habitats and diverse large-mammal fauna.

Trails through Moor and Landscape

The walking trail through Medema Moor is 7 km long in total, there and back from the starting point. Along the way, there is a small viewing platform and white and yellow waymarkers. The “Medema purvs – soli pa solim” audio guide leads from the first bridge over the ditch to the raised bog. The route is about 2.3 km one way, or 4.6 km there and back; the audio guide is available free of charge through the izi.Travel app.

Jaunmārupe Nature Park has been a locally protected area around the Pavasari Reservoir since 2000 and features a naturally formed network of paths. An illuminated promenade with benches runs between the park and the reservoir. On the Jūrtaka, section 23, named “Bulduri–Rīgas centrs,” passes through Mežāres in Babītes pagasts for 1 km.

Cycling Routes and Excursions

Cycling Route No. 2, “Mārupe–Jaunmārupe,” is designed for leisure and visiting places of interest in Mārupe and Jaunmārupe. The “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks” route leads to the pine trees, dunes and lake in Beberbeķi Nature Park. The “Mārupes lielais und mazais loks” route is well suited to easy evening or weekend rides alone, with friends or with family.

The “Jaunmārupe–Cenas tīrelis” route leads to the specially protected Cenas tīrelis Nature Reserve. There is a 5 km boardwalk and a 6 m-high observation tower. On the “Jaunmārupe–Božu ūdenskrātuve” route, the path passes through the landscape of Jaunmārupe: past horse pastures and the expansive grounds of the golf club, through pine forest and on to the Boži Reservoir.

The “Senā Mazcena” route also combines cycling with regional history. It starts at Švarcenieki Manor and introduces visitors to historic houses, the life stories of local people and historical events in the vicinity of Jaunmārupe.

Aviation, Culture and Seasonal Highlights

Cycling Route No. 3, “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks,” runs alongside the Riga Airport runway and offers the chance to watch air traffic from close by. The “Mārupe–RIX Rīgas lidosta” route offers views of the airport from outside its grounds and passes the former Bieriņmuiža (Lindenruh), the hunting lodge of the Bērēni von Rautenfeld family. There are two aircraft viewing spots in the Skulte area. One is at the end of the extended runway, beneath the glide path; from there, aircraft can be seen from below as they take off or land.

The Rīgas aviācijas tehnikas muzejs is the only museum of its kind in Latvia and has one of Europe’s largest aviation collections. The Aviation Museum of Technology has 47 exhibits; visitors can also see inside the cockpit of a Mi-6 helicopter. In spring and early summer, the University of Latvia’s “Babīte” Rhododendron Breeding and Experimental Nursery attracts visitors. Horse riding is one of the characteristic activities in Mārupes pagasts and the town of Mārupe. In Salas pagasts, visitors can enjoy active recreation on the waters of Lake Babīte and the Lielupe; locally grown watermelons and melons are also offered for tasting.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Jaunmārupe, Kuldīgas Novads, Lubānas Novads, Roja, Saulkrastu Novads, Jūrmala, Ropažu Novads, Amatas Novads.

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