Discover Usma

Usma is a destination where a stay by the lake can be combined with walks, cycling tours, and nature experiences. The Lutheran Church of Usma is a unique log church on Lake Usma; the village has a developed swimming area near the church. Other attractions include the Usmas Elkraga nature trail, a 55-kilometre cycling route around the lake, and the multi-day “From Usma to the Sea” paddling route. If you are looking for a hotel in Usma, these different options can help you plan your trip in advance.

By Lake Usma: Church, Swimming Area, and Fishing

The Lutheran Church of Usma is a unique log church on Lake Usma, built from round logs. The term “log church” describes the construction method: wooden logs form the structure, while the reference to round logs specifies the material. This adds an architectural point of interest to Usma’s nature and activity options. The village has a developed swimming area near the church, with buoys marking off the swimming zone. Fishing permits for the lake can be purchased at recreation areas or through the e-Loms service.

Nature Trail and Tours

The Usmas Elkraga nature trail is 700 metres long and made of pine planks. It is intended for walks by Lake Usma; the path offers a view of Moricsala, which is part of the Moricsala Nature Reserve. In the municipality, the trail is particularly suitable for people with mobility impairments, seniors, and families with small children.

The cycling route around Lake Usma covers 55 kilometres and runs along forest tracks and small country roads. The “From Usma to the Sea” paddling route can be completed in three to five days. For comparison, distance and duration are two different planning factors: distance is the main consideration for the cycling route, while the paddling route involves a multi-day timeframe. Together with the 700-metre walking trail, these offer different scales of activity—from a short walk to a longer cycling loop and a paddling trip lasting several days. This makes it easier to choose based on the type and extent of activity, rather than treating these routes as directly comparable options.

Lake Usma and Moricsala

By area, Lake Usma is Latvia’s sixth-largest lake; by water volume, it is the second-largest. These rankings refer to two different measures: the area of the water’s surface and the volume of water it contains. The Moricsala Nature Reserve was established on 6 June 1912. Viskūži Island is Latvia’s largest lake island and covers 309.2 hectares. Viskūži is ranked as a single island by area, while the lake’s rankings compare area and water volume. Usma Christian School has an exhibition about the Moricsala Nature Reserve. The view from the nature trail and the exhibition thus offer two different ways of engaging with the reserve: one as part of the landscape, the other as the subject of an exhibition.

Discover more destinations: Vārve, Leči, Užava, Ventava, Pope, Ugāle, Ziras, Akmeņdziras.

For the broader travel overview: Ventspils.