Valka – Turna
This stage runs through the city, continues on pedestrian roads, along gravel paths through forests and fields. This stage is not long, so perhaps at first to enjoy the cities Valka/Valga, as well as a swim in a lake near the city’s border.
If you have questions about a particular stage or need assistance on the road, please call to SOS phone +371 26557080 Sandra vai +371 26676912 Inese
The official start of this stage is at Putraskalns, 70 m from the Estonian border. Next to the tower of views is the border post of Camino Latvia. There is a great view to Estonia from the Putraskalns.
We recommend to visit the Valga Jaani (St John’s) Church where is the end of the Camino Estonia and what is decorated with the Camino plaque. From this place you have an excellent view across the square to Latvia with fountains, cafes and swings right on the border.
As significant road reparation works are taking place in the city of Valka these years, the Camino marking – yellow arrow or shell stickers on lighting poles – starts from the Valka-Lugazi Lutheran Church. The road to the Valka-Lugazi Lutheran Church on Riga Street 9 is unmarked.
Passing the church continue straight on Riga Street up to the V junction where Camino route turns right on the linden’s alley of Raina Street. If need to receive a pilgrim’s passport and a stamp, should continue 50 meters more on Riga Street to the Tourism Information Centre. Continuing straight on Raina Street on the right side of the intersection with Ausekļa Street is a coffee self-service point, the road leads straight past the park with the Latvian flag. Turn right at the intersection of Beverinas Street.
If wish to get to Turna faster, or driving a bike, or likely to walk down the side of the road, then continuing on Raina Street will come to the centre of Lugazi, where the road re-joins with the Camino route.
After a while on Beverinas Street on the right side is Valka Gymnasium where is a canteen (if walk during working hours).
Turn to the left at the next intersection with Talava Street, and after 30 m, to the right to Varonu Street and continue till the more important intersection of road A3/Rujienas Street. Cross the intersection and walk down the pedestrian path to the parking lot. The Valka Meza cemetery remains on the left. Go down on a small path to the open-air stage, cross it, and follow a small forest path on the left. After about 500 m, cross the Pedele River and go along the path (slightly to the left), which leads back to the pedestrian path of Varonu Street, where should turn to the right. When reach the lake Zagezers, there is spring with drinking water and a small beech for swimming.
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 continues 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, in the centre of Lugazi, turn right on the Raina Street where the bus stop remains on our left. At 100 m, on the right, a good place for a rest with a shelter, a table and a bench, there will be no other until Turna. Road continues to the right.
When Lugazi ends, there is a bus stop BURGAS, followed by the intersection of roads. 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 houses hidden in the trees can be seen, 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 or deer flys. 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 are available at the Cultural Center of Turna (Turnas Tautas nams). There is a grocery store in Turna, but should call as working hours are indefinite.
