Slītere National Park, National park on the Baltic Sea coast in Latvia
Slītere National Park is a protected area on the northwestern Baltic coast of Latvia, in Talsi Municipality. It covers coastal bluffs, sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and a shoreline along the Gulf of Riga.
The area was protected in the early 20th century, making it one of the first nature reserves in the Baltic region. In 2000 it was designated a national park to strengthen the protection of its coastal environment.
The small fishing villages of Vaide and Saunags, inside the park, are home to descendants of the Livonians, an ancient Baltic people with their own language and sea traditions. Walking through these settlements, visitors notice old wooden houses and boats that reflect a long connection to the coast.
The park has marked walking trails for different fitness levels, along with observation towers that offer open views over forests, wetlands, and the coast. Sturdy footwear is advisable, as many sections pass through wet or sandy terrain.
At Cape Kolka, inside the park, the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga meet, producing visible current lines and color differences in the water. This can be watched from the shore and makes it one of the few places where two large bodies of water visibly meet.
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