Valka – Turna
This stage runs through the city, continues on pedestrian roads, along gravel paths through forests and fields. We advise to take with you food for 2 days, as there will be no shops along the way until Jerceni, at the middle of the next stage. This stage is not long, so perhaps at first to enjoy the city, as well as a swim in a lake near the city’s border.
The stage begins at Putraskalns, 70 m from the Estonian border. Next to the Camino Latvia border post is a view tower. There is a great view to Estonia from the Putraskalns.
We start by walking down the stairs to the right, and along the river Pedele, by the path of nature we reach Selija Street. We turn left, cross the river, turn to the right at 100 m in the intersection with Riga Street. We’re heading toward the church. There is a stamp for pilgrim passport in the church.
If we want to see more of the town, right behind the church is the tourist information office, where you can purchase the pilgrim’s passport and have the next stamp. In downtown there are several stores and ATMs.
Camino turns right to Talava Street in 50 m behind the church. We walk along the police building, which is located in a beautiful building of Art Noveau. At the intersection with Ausekla Street, turn right, reaching the Orthodox Church in 250 m. There we cross the street and continue our way along a cobbled pedestrian path along Strautu Street, what after 300 m turns into a forest trail. This beautiful track, with benches and bird cages in the trees, leads us to the highway A3, what should be crossed at an appropriate point. We turn left and follow the cyclist track till the bridge. Behind the sculpture “Zither Player” (“Koklētajs”) should turn to the right in the direction to the open-air stage of Valka.
Enjoy this lovely place and continue our way, crossing the river by the open-air stage. Then we go right and up the hill along a long staircase. Reaching the highway, we continue to the right by the cyclist track. We see big golden letters VALKA in front of us, we pass them on the right, and continuing our way straight. The Pepi Rer factory remains on the left. After 1.5 km we reach the lake Zāģezers. This is a great place to rest before we go through rural and wooded roads.
Should turn left at the intersection next to the lake Zāģezers, the bus stop remains on the right. At first, the road is tarred. In 150m at the split of roads, we continue straight, after next 200m when the tarred surface of the road ends still continue our way straight passing a red brick building. Camino leads along the fields here and after 2.5 km, we reach the intersection with a highway (on the right is the bus stop ROŅI), cross the highway and continue straight to direction Lugazi by the rural road. In 1.5 km, we reach the centre of Lugazi, turn right on the Vidus Street and again turn right at the next intersection with bigger road. Right after the border of Lugazi, there is a bus stop BURGAS, where the intersection of roads follows. We turn left here and cross another road a few metres later. We continue straight through the alley by a narrow gravel road. After 450 m, we continue straight at a small crossing. The road crosses the courtyards of several houses. In 1 km turn right. On both sides we see houses hidden in the trees, continue down a narrow, slightly overgrown road, across the meadow until reach the intersection with forest road.
Turn left. This part is muddy and affected by logging machinery, and in hot days should be careful to avoid deer keds. After 1.5 km, we reach the bridge over the river Rikanda. Here on the left is a view of the meadows of Burga, where a lot of birds are nesting and gathering.
Beyond the bridge, the road becomes wider and more friendly, leads through fields and lonely farmsteads. After 2.5 km at crossroads keep left and 2 km later when reach an asphalt covered road, turn left. After another 1.5 km, we reach the centre of Turna.
Accommodation and stamp is available at the Cultural Center of Turna (Turnas Tautas nams).
