Sauka Nature Park

Sauka Nature Park is a 5,603-hectare reserve in the Selian upland featuring fast-flowing rivers, mineral-rich springs, spring mires, and species-rich meadows within forested ravines. The landscape also includes Lake Sauka and Ormaņu kalns peak as defining features of the terrain.

The area was granted protected status in 1987 to preserve the landscape around Ormaņu kalns peak and Lake Sauka within the Selian upland. This designation reflected the recognition of the region's ecological importance for conservation.

The reserve spans three parishes that jointly safeguard the region's natural landscape and its ecological value. This shared stewardship shows how local communities work together to protect the forests, meadows, and water systems that define their territory.

The park can be reached from Riga by taking the P73 road through Vecumnieki and Nereta or the P85 road via Jaunjelgava and along P86. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should stay on designated paths to protect the delicate habitats.

Lake Sauka ranks as the fifteenth largest lake in Latvia and serves as the centerpiece of this Natura 2000 protected area. The mineral-rich springs surrounding it create an unusual habitat that supports rare plant species found nowhere else in the region.