Košrags

Košrags was established in the 17th century as a Livonian coastal fishing village.

Beach and landscape around Košrags

Košrags is associated with Slītere National Park, a Natura 2000 site. In the wider regional surroundings of Košrags, the national park includes a 30–50 m-high cliff coast of the former Baltic Ice Lake, species-rich natural deciduous forest, and complexes of dune ridges and narrow, peat-filled depressions, especially fens. High cliff edges, wooded areas, dunes and wet lowlands are part of this natural area. Dune ridges are elongated elevations made of dune sand; fens are shallow peatland areas shaped by water.

Košrags is also associated with the Livonian Coast, “Līvõd rānda”, and a sandy beach landscape. The village has a recreational beach of local importance. The beach near Košrags is suitable for long walks and hikes. If spending time by the sea and taking extended walks are especially important factors in your travel decision, this specific connection with the village is an important part of your orientation.

Livonian History and Preserved Farmsteads

The history of Košrags can be traced through individual farmsteads and historic institutions. Anduļi is one of the preserved old farmsteads that form the central area of Košrags. At the same time, Anduļi is the oldest farmstead in Košrags: it has been known by this name since 1896, having previously been mentioned in 1680 as “Kūkiņi”. More examples of Livonian folklore were recorded at Anduļi than at any other Livonian farmstead.

Žoki in Košrags also reflects the history of Livonian education. In the mid-19th century, the first school providing reading instruction to Livonian children from the coastal villages of Dundaga operated there. The two historic sites have different emphases: Anduļi combines farmstead history with recorded Livonian folklore, while Žoki connects local history with reading instruction for Livonian children. The village’s maritime development is also reflected in two dated structures: under the direction of Didriķis Volganskis, a harbour was built in Košrags in 1932. In 1938, a pier for collecting sea manure was also built; in Latvian, this is called “mudas”. A pier is a structure projecting into the water; in Košrags, it was used to collect this sea manure.

Cycling Route with Three Route Options

The circular cycling route “Gar Dižjūr un Mazjūr” branches off from Košrags. A forest track passes through the villages and becomes a gravel road in sections. Alternatively, the route follows the paved Kolka–Ventspils road or runs along the coast by the beach. The three parallel routes can be cycled along their entire length; however, their surfaces and surroundings differ. The starting point remains Košrags, while the surroundings and surfaces of the three routes vary.

Further Orientation Along the Coast

If you would like to include destinations beyond Košrags in your travel planning, you can also find Pitrags, Mazirbe, Dūmele, Dundaga, Saunags and Kolka.

For the higher-level travel overview: Dundagas Novads.