In the depths of North-Eastern Europe, on the sandy shores where the Viking ships lay with Byzantium loads and where wolves still hunt for deer in the wilderness, exists a piece of Neverland. Until the end of the 18th century there were deep borderland forests that divided the Russian Empire from Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania. Well guarded caravans crossed those forests when commuting between Muscovy and Rome. Sometimes they stopped at the tavern about 2 miles away of modern Highway in the forest where now small lawn with some ruins and huge old lime trees mark the place.
The last 2 centuries has been full of trouble for this place. Legions of the Great Army, regiments of the Russian Imperial Army, the German Imperial Army, the Soviet Army and the Nazi army marched through the yard.
Nearby Ķemeri was raised as a famous medical and SPA resort. Created in 1836 and surviving two world wars it became lost in history after the USSR fell apart. Now only mighty ruins of the former sanatoriums in the depths of Ķemeri National park, and some local villager’s houses, remain of the former glory.
In spite of this, it is still a popular tourist target, and the abandoned park – is one of the most beautiful spring meeting places in Latvia, but Great Bog Trail is ready to capture heart of almost everybody all year long.
Great Bog of Ķemeri remains one of biggest and last intact raised bogs in Europe. Almost 100 km2 of peat, small lakes and curly ancient trees. There everybody can walk over deadly quagmire in room slippers. Elegant boardwalk leads you over depth of the bog for almost 3.5 km and allows you to enjoy environment like directly from Hound of Baskervilles.
In winter hoarfrost or covered with spring flowers the Great Bog is beautiful. If you can spend time there you have the chance to see crane dance, astonishing sunrises or dark and misty sunsets. There you have a chance to feel yourself out of the time and space. Try this and enjoy, let it be like roulette for you – Great Bog can caress, frighten, entice, enchant, but it will never leave you indifferent.
Entrance of St Peters church
