Brukna – Skaistkalne
Brukna – 12 km Bārbele – 14 km Skaistkalne
Stage consultant – Olga, WhatsApp or SMS, +371 26427717, e-mail: [email protected]
The stage will lead across fields, through forests, and along the Iecava River. Technically, it can be divided into two parts: Brukna – Bārbele (12 km) (shops, coffee machine, eatery, accommodation) and Bārbele – Skaistkalne (14 km).
⚠️ ATTENTION! A new route has been introduced on the Bārbele–Skaistkalne section. Follow the description and road signs!
We start the route from Brukna Manor, turning left towards the bridge across the Iecava River. For 6.3 km we walk along a country road without turning, passing the houses “Glezes,” “Mazbatari,” “Batari,” and Zvejnieki cemetery until we reach a crossroads. To the right, the road leads to Jaunsauli (17 km), but we continue straight, following the sign Gaisma (2.5 km). After 200 m, the road to Bārbele (5 km) turns right – we also turn right and continue. Without turning, we walk 4.7 km until a junction. Ahead is a “Main Road 200 m” sign, and to the right the tower of Bārbele Church is visible. We also turn right. After 300 m we reach the asphalt road near Bārbele Community House. To the left stands the Bārbele Lutheran Church. Nearby, slightly to the right, are grocery shops, a Lavazza coffee machine, and the café “Bārbelīte” with incredibly tasty cepelinai dumplings (closed Sundays).
Turning left, crossing the Riga – Skaistkalne highway, and walking along a gravel road past the church and cemetery, after about 1.7 km you arrive at the Bārbele Boys’ School, with an airplane mounted on its wall. Overnight accommodation is available here, as well as guided visits, including the beautiful glass-walled prayer room in place of the altar, and outdoor aircraft displays. After visiting the school or staying overnight there, you need to return to the Bārbele center to continue your journey further to Skaistkalne.
If you do not plan to visit the Boys’ School, continue straight across the road, turn slightly right, and follow Avotu Street with the sign “Sēravots.” The road leads into the forest – go straight, without turning. After 2 km, a sign points right to the museum (Auseklis Mill and Open-Air Museum). Our route continues straight, across a small bridge. After about 100 m, there is a sign to Sēravots, and after another 200 m, a sign to the homestead “Stiebriņi,” where the Bee SPA is located. This is a great place to relax, and you can enjoy the Bee SPA. It is recommended to contact the hosts in advance and book your visit!
Continue along the forest road for about 2.3 km until you reach the highway. Turn right and walk about 1 km along the roadside. After crossing the bridge over the Iecava, turn right onto a country road signed “Rukšu Lake” (cycle route No. 402). After 1.3 km, at the signs “Jobi” and “Maigas,” turn left. After 700 m, the road forks – keep left. After about 2 km, you reach a T-junction – turn right. After 1.2 km, reach a gravel main road – turn left. After 2 km, you arrive in Skaistkalne. Continue straight, cross the junction with the sign “Jaunsaule 15 km”, then turn right at the next country road (sign “Suņu laukums”). After 100 m, turn left and walk past a white brick building. Soon the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Skaistkalne will come into view. After a quiet moment of reflection in the church, as you walk down the hill you have reached the final point of the St. Meinard branch of the St. James Way in Latvia – our country’s border post.
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THANK YOU for walking St. James Way in Latvia!
Buen Camino!
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