The website riverways.eu offers a wide range of boating routes along Latvia's rivers, as well as information about lakes suitable for both peaceful relaxation and active recreation. Kurzeme is home to more than 25 rivers suitable for paddling throughout different seasons and nearly 100 lakes offering opportunities ranging from simple swimming spots to fully equipped recreation areas with guest houses, campsites, floating saunas, wake parks, boat rentals, SUP boards, and even yacht trips. Here are five of the most popular rivers for boating and five favourite lakes for recreation in Kurzeme.  

The Engure River may not impress with dramatic cliffs, rapids or monumental scenery, but this charming 28-kilometre river in Kurzeme offers something equally valuable-peace, untouched nature and a relaxing paddling experience. The river begins at Lake Usma and attracts paddlers with its gentle current. Continuing through Lake Puze, then along the Rinda and Irbe Rivers, adventurous visitors can even reach the Baltic Sea. There are 18 boat rental companies operating along the Engure River, while riverways.eu features seven ready-made routes ranging from one hour (3.5 km) to five-day expeditions (91.6 km).  

The Abava River is widely known as the classic boating destination in Latvia. Throughout the summer season, the river remains calm along its entire paddling route, without impassable obstacles or rapids, making it an excellent choice for families with children as well as first-time paddlers. 

The river is traditionally divided into two sections: 

●      The "civilised" section stretches from Kandava to Renda (49.8 km). 

●      The "wild" section continues from Renda to the confluence with the Venta River (34.2 km). 

Since there is no convenient landing point where the Abava meets the Venta, paddlers usually continue along the Venta River to Lake Lielais Nabes to finish their journey. 

The website riverways.eu offers 11 ready-made canoeing routes on the Abava River, ranging from 2-hour trips (5.6 km)to five-day adventures (92.2 km). 

More than 25 canoe rental companies operate along the river.

The Užava River is approximately 65 kilometres long, flowing through the coastal lowlands along what was once the bed of the ancient Baltic Ice Lake. 

Sections of the river were straightened and improved through land reclamation projects during both the First Republic of Latvia and the Soviet period. 

About half of the river is suitable for canoeing, beginning at its confluence with the Vanka River, although the traditional starting point is near the "Stradži" homestead, next to the bridge on local road. 

One of the river's greatest attractions is that it flows directly into the Baltic Sea near the village of Užava. This is also the most convenient place to finish your journey, where visitors will find a parking area and a recreation site maintained by Latvian State Forests. 

The website riverways.eu features seven boating routes on the Užava River offered by 13 boat rental companies, ranging from 2-hour trips (6.1 km) to 2-day adventures (31 km).  

The Tebra River has served as an important transport route for centuries. 

Historically, large boats transported goods from Saka Port to the medieval castle in Aizpute, while timber was floated downstream. Place names such as Turaidas, Orgas, and Lankas also reflect the historical presence of the Livonians from the Gauja region. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, the river's flow was regulated by three impressive watermills, of which only the one in Aizpute still survives today. 

Today, the Tebra is one of the most popular canoeing rivers in western Kurzeme. The most popular section runs from Sarkanvalks to the confluence with the Durbe River, with many paddlers continuing further along the Saka River to finish in Pāvilosta. 

The website riverways.eu offers seven prepared routes along the Tebra River, operated by 16 canoe rental companies, with trip lengths ranging from 4 hours (12.2 km) to 2 days (40.4 km).    

The Durbe River flows out of Lake Durbe and, after 48 kilometres, joins the Tebra River to form the Saka River, which empties into the Baltic Sea at Pāvilosta. 

The Durbe is a river of striking contrasts. Beautiful stretches of untouched nature alternate with more ordinary, sometimes even monotonous landscapes. Long, scenic riffles suddenly give way to almost still water. 

Despite these contrasts, the river's crystal-clear water, abundant fish populations and numerous scenic landmarks continue to attract more paddlers every year. 

The website riverways.eu offers five ready-made canoeing routes along the Durbe River, provided by 17 canoe rental companies, ranging from 2-hour trips (5.7 km) to 2-day expeditions (42 km).      

Lake Usma is located in Usma Parish, Ventspils Municipality, bordering both Kuldīga and Talsi municipalities. The lake is home to Viskūži Island, the largest lake island in Latvia, covering 309.2 hectares. Since 2004, the island has been protected as a nature reserve. 

Lake Usma also has a special place in Latvia's conservation history. In 1912, the country's first nature reserve-Moricsala Nature Reserve-was established, protecting Moricsala Island, part of Lake Usma, as well as the nearby Luziķērte and Lielalksnīte islands. 

Lake Usma is one of Latvia's most popular destinations for fishing and sailing, with more than 14 campsites and holiday resorts located around its shores.

Lake Usma offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. Near Usma Manor, visitors will find a well-maintained public beach with a children's playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas and changing cabins. The surrounding campsites and holiday resorts offer boat, SUP board and yacht rentals, sailing opportunities, as well as camping and campervan pitches. Licensed fishing is permitted in the lake, where nine fish species can be found. Cyclists can enjoy an approximately 50-kilometre cycling route circling the lake through three municipalities while taking in the area's beautiful scenery.  

Lake Ciecere

Lake Ciecere is located in Brocēni. Its elongated shape resembles a river in places, and it features one protected island covering 14 hectares. 

The lake has become an important part of the local community, hosting annual events such as the "Awakening of Lake Ciecere" festival in June, the "Ciecernieks" open-water swimming competition in late July, and the "Beautiful to Live in Brocēni" celebration in August. 

An 18.4-metre observation tower stands on the lakeshore, while the nearby Brocēni Forest Park provides additional opportunities for recreation.

Lake Ciecere offers numerous activities, including: 

●      a water adventure park, 

●      boat, SUP board, kayak and pedal boat rentals, 

●      wakeboarding and water skiing, 

●      boat cruises, 

●      campsites and campervan facilities, 

●      several swimming areas (the largest located in Brocēni), 

●      a public boat launch with parking. 

Visitors can also enjoy a 1-kilometre lakeside walking trail and a 27-kilometre cycling route. Fishing is permitted in the lake, which is home to seven fish species.  

Lake Engure is the third-largest lake in Latvia by surface area, located between Mērsrags, Bērzciems and Engure. 

The lake is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Boat rental operators offer fishing trips and boat excursions, while SUP boarders and kayakers can explore the lake's fascinating reed labyrinths, including the popular route through the Mērsrags Canal. 

Nature lovers can visit the Lake Engure Nature Trail, where an observation tower provides opportunities to watch wild horses, grazing cattle and numerous bird species. 

The nearby Orchid Trail introduces visitors to the area's remarkable botanical diversity.    

Lake Būšnieki is located in the northern part of Ventspils and is one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas. 

The lake's western shore forms a protected nature reserve, while its eastern shoreline borders the residential areas of Pīpiķi, Būšnieki, and Staldzene.

Visitors can enjoy: 

●      boat, SUP board and pedal boat rentals, 

●      several public swimming areas, 

●      fishing, 

●      an approximately 8-kilometre nature trail featuring a cycling path,

●      a wooden boardwalk, 

●      birdwatching platforms, 

●      picnic areas. 

The lake is particularly accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, offering wheelchair-friendly paths, an accessible beach, changing cabins, toilets and a specially designed swimming wheelchair. 

Several popular fish species can also be found in the lake.  

Lake Pape is located in Rucava Parish and is a public lake with 12 islands. It is very shallow, with much of its bottom covered by a layer of soft mud. 

The lake lies within Pape Nature Park, where visitors can explore scenic nature trails and observe wild horses and aurochs-like grazing cattle living in protected pastures.

Lake Pape is a favourite destination for: 

●      canoeing, 

●      birdwatching, 

●      nature exploration. 

Visitors can rent boats, join guided excursions on the lake, or take guided tours to see the area's famous wild horses and grazing cattle. 

Fishing is permitted subject to seasonal regulations. The lake is home to numerous fish species, including northern pike, perch, tench, bream and crucian carp.   

The riverways.eu website has been a trusted companion for active water tourism enthusiasts for several years, helping everyone plan unforgettable days by the water. 

While enjoying nature, always remember to stay safe on and around the water. Follow the simple Leave No Trace principle: whatever you bring into nature, take it back with you. Let's take care not only of ourselves, but also of the environment around us. Let respect and consideration for nature be your calling card.     

This publication has been produced within the framework of Project No. LL-00011 "Development of the Water Route Network in Latvia and Lithuania by Expanding the Cross-Border Tourism Product www.riverways.eu" (WaterWays), co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2021-2027. 

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Kurzeme Planning Region and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

The objective of the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2021-2027 is to promote the sustainable and cohesive socio-economic development of the Programme regions, making them more competitive and attractive places to live, study, work and visit.