Tērvete – Žagare
Tērvete – 5.5 km “Tērvetes vīni” – 5.5 km Augstkalne – 11 km Žagare
Stage consultant – Agita, WhatsApp or SMS, +371 29284599, e-mail: [email protected]
The route starts at the Spar grocery, turning right behind the shop, walking a little down the road towards Penkule, the Church and cemetery of Tervete (Kalnamuiža) are visible on the left. Here we turn to the left, through the cemetery, where the road enters into the woods. Slightly further on the road is an indication to the left, which leads to a clay pile (Tervete Staburags) on the banks of the Tervete River. This can be visited as a point of interest but our route continues straight and shortly afterwards the forest ends.
The road passes two houses – Silaji and Strauti. A big, white house, an old former Tervete School, is visible ahead.
Please note that here is a private property. You don’t need call when you only cross a property. When you like look around a way and go through park till river, you should call phone +371 26104836 to Mrs Ilze, ask for permission and pay entrance fee – 2eur for person. Heading straight forward, the road leads through its courtyard, with an old apple tree garden and a bridge on the left, an old sports area, and just before the forest we have to turn to the left. Further to the left, there is a restricted area with a transformer station, and then you should continue forward turning slightly to the left again.
The road goes down the hill, a little while along the Tervete River, then across the bridge. In front of the hill is a country house Vecgavilas with a path leading up to it, but it is better to continue on the gravel road we are already on. This leads through the courtyard of the house along the barn. Watch out, there may be 3 dogs, but they only bark loudly. Passing through the courtyard, the road along the end of the barn turns left and continues along the edge of the field, and then straight through the two fields. On the left you can see a giant tree – Gavilu oak.
Continuing only straight, after a few kilometres, the road enters village Zelmeni, at a T-junction we turn left. There is a lake visible on the right side and the road across the bridge goes to the P95 road. Here we have to turn right and go about 1 km along the road. About halfway down this road, to the right, there is a private house that includes the Tervete winery. Here you can go into the courtyard to relax your tired legs, eat your dinner, use the outdoor WC, wash your hands, swim in the lake, and, of course, buy a bottle of homemaded wine.
After some time, following the sign, we turn left off the highway and walk straight between the fields until the house “Dumpji” becomes visible ahead, followed by “Laukgaļi” – before the name sign, turn right. There might be a large dog here that barks loudly. But don’t be scared. The road continues straight for a few kilometers between the fields until we enter Augstkalne.
On the left side, there is a LATS store. Continue straight until the intersection. Ahead, on the right, there is a park. We recommend walking through it – directly opposite you’ll see the Augstkalne school, located in the former Baron Hahn’s manor house, and on the right, you’ll see the Augstkalne (Mežmuiža) Evangelical Lutheran Church. Behind its notice board, there is a stamp box. Here, in the yard, you can sit down to rest and also use the outdoor toilet. Next to it is a reservoir, and through the trees on its right side you can see the village’s second shop AIBE, as well as a pharmacy.
If you wish to skip the part described above, then at the previously mentioned intersection, turn left. The road leads along the village’s main street. After crossing one intersection, turn right at the second. Continue straight, crossing a bridge over the Svēte River, then go up a small hill and walk straight across the field toward the forest.
Upon reaching the edge of the forest, you will see a junction with three roads – take the one to the right that leads into the forest. It’s a good gravel road, in some parts covered with concrete slabs, as during the Soviet era this forest housed a Russian military base, and the road was used by heavy vehicles. The road is slightly winding: first it curves to the right, then to the left, and then continues straight for quite a long time until it ends in a 90-degree turn. After that, there’s approximately a 10-minute walk along a straight road, on the left side of which you will see Lithuanian border markers No. 0802, 0801, and 0800. After crossing the Svēte River via a bridge, immediately turn left onto a forest road. After a short distance, further from the road on the left, you will see border marker 0799.
The road continues straight until it meets road P95 Tērvete–Žagare. Here, walking on the left side of the road, the Latvia–Lithuania border will soon be visible. On the left, you can see a Camino Santiago pillar with a direction sign toward Santiago – a gift from the Lithuanian St. James Association to Latvia. Continuing along the main street, on the right you’ll see the old Jewish cemetery and the bridge over the Svēte River. After crossing the bridge, there’s a place to swim in summer on the right side. But pay attention – BEFORE the bridge, just behind the cemetery fence, turn right onto the smaller street – Švėtės gatvė. The road winds along the riverbank, where you can explore the old part of the town. Most of the houses have plaques with information about who lived there, what their occupation was, and what purpose the house served in the early 20th century.
At the end of the street, you will reach the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul in Žagarė. Behind it on the right is the market square, after which turn left and continue straight. After crossing another bridge, you’ll already see the town’s main square ahead. The road continues along its left side, around which are three shops, a café, and a pharmacy. At the entrance to the store ŽIRNIS, there is also an ATM. Continue along the left side of the square until you reach the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul in Žagarė. Before it, there is a light green wooden building with a stamp hut next to it. A bit further behind the church, a large park begins – enter it. Straight ahead you’ll see Žagarė Manor, where you can also stamp your passport outside. Here, where it connects with the Camino Lituano at the border, the final stage of Camino Latvia comes to an end.
Latvia. For further information please visit http://www.caminolituano.com/
When you would finish your way here, you have two possibilities:
1. go back to the border, there is in latvian side bus stop- you can go on II/ III/ IV
7.46am to Jelgava ( and after by bus to Riga) or
8.00pm to Dobele ( and after take a bus to Jelgava or Riga)
2. phone some days before to Mr.Maarten Leysen, he lives on the border, and agree with him for Camino-Taxi to Dobele or Jelgava. ( ph. + 371 25632139).
