Smiltene: Culture, Parks and Lakes

Smiltene offers visitors a range of things to explore: historic buildings, paths through parks and landscapes by the water, and activities for different kinds of exercise. Each attraction and route has its own focus—from Latvian cultural history to distinct cycling and walking trails.

Historic Buildings and Cultural Heritage

Cērtenes pilskalns is considered the oldest witness to Smiltene’s history. It is also classified as a fortified site of the castle-mound type. Its surroundings are wooded and hilly, with a dense network of paths. The area is suitable for leisurely walks as well as sports activities.

Smiltene Evangelical Lutheran Church is another specific point of reference in the town’s history: it was built in the shape of a cross and is listed as a state cultural monument of Latvia. Its design and monument designation describe two distinct aspects of the church—its form and its recognized heritage status.

Parks and Bodies of Water

The Old Park lies on the shore of Lake Vidusezers and runs along the Abula River to Lake Teperis and its promenade. The shore, river course and lake are therefore defining features of the park’s setting. There is also an island in Lake Teperis, connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges.

Lake Klievezers has a sandy shore with a gentle slope. Together with the island in Lake Teperis, it illustrates the different features of the places described here: a sandy, shallow shoreline at Klievezers and an island connected by bridges in Lake Teperis. Descriptions of each shoreline refer to its characteristics; they are not a substitute for checking conditions on site.

Paths and Activities in Smiltene

The nine-kilometre “Samīļo Smilteni” walking route runs around Smiltene. Along the way, forest paths, roads, town streets and parks alternate. The route is offered by the Tourist Information Centre, but it is not an officially marked or regularly maintained hiking trail. Keep this in mind when planning if you choose this loop.

The Abula Nature Trail runs along the shore of Lake Teperis, follows the bends of the Abula River and passes through forest paths on the outskirts of town. It is a route offered by the Tourist Information Centre, not an officially marked trail; natural conditions may change. Check conditions before setting out. The route is defined both by its waterside sections and by the forest paths on the outskirts of town.

For a cultural activity focused on Latvian symbols, try the Latvian Symbols Trail: an interactive walking game in the “Actionbound” mobile app. It explores the symbolism of Latvian signs and Latvia’s cultural heritage. The activities also differ in what they focus on: the nature trails pass through the landscape, while this walking game explores a cultural theme.

Smiltene’s colour-coded cycling routes comprise three trails of approximately 10, 20 and 30 kilometres. They are rated easy, intermediate and more challenging. Length and difficulty are thus both factors that distinguish the routes: you can take the approximate distance and stated difficulty rating into account when choosing.

There is also a 1.1-kilometre asphalt go-kart track at the “Teperis” Sports and Recreation Complex, which can also be used for cycling, roller skiing and inline skating. Here, a specific route length and asphalt surface are key features. The paved paths in the Old Park are also suitable for cycling and inline skating, although no route length is given for them.

The “Smiltiņš” active recreation park has two play areas for children and an asphalt pump track suitable for riders of all ages. The play areas and pump track complement the paths and routes elsewhere, which are described mainly by their length, surface or course.

Discover more destinations: Aumeisteri, Blome.

Go to the main travel overview: Smiltenes Novads.