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Hike JERSIKA- VANAGI
In the footsteps of the national partisans' legends
Kontakti
Go on a hike from Jersika to Vanagi, allowing you to challenge yourself in terms of endurance, because the hike leads through forests, swamp, bog, meadows and countryside's paths, and in the historical knowledge of the brightest characters of the national partisan movement, their activities, to see the most significant places about which local legends and recorded memories of fellow human beings. The path starts at Jersika station and leads to a memorial stone under a gray oak. The walk continues along the railway tracks and winds along the Jersikas lake, where the forest presents the riches of nature: spring flowering vizbulas, common zalkten. The approach to the swamp is indicated by the smell of cypresses, but in the spring it is especially surprising to see their flowering. A lazy walk is impossible, you have to cross several ditches, crossing the swamp gives you strength - water remains in the moss at every foot, cranberry berries shine in the veins. The swamp is replaced by a forest and evidence of the former settlement of these places in homesteads - stately oaks, ruins of buildings, surrounded by young trees - the bunker of the national partisans. The road continues to the place mentioned in the testimonies as the founding place of the Homeland Guards (partisans) association. The forest massif also hides the memorial site "Avotnīca" ("Olūtneica"), where a bonfire has been made. The diversity of the forest is surprising, as is the width of the ditches. The destination of the hike is the Vagu church, where priest A. Juhņevičs served, who is told in the film "Nickname Lonely" (director N. Pucis).
The length of the hike: about 22 km, can be done in 6 hours.
Difficulty: Moderate fitness hike.
Starting point: Jersika railway station (can be reached by train, bus).
End point: Hawks Church (public transport does not run on weekends).
Please note: There is a swimming break on the route (in the summer season), fishing opportunities, a picnic area, the possibility to visit one public toilet. The route is also suitable for school-age children who already have experience in hiking of this length.