Usma by Lake Usma: Nature, Trails and Culture

At Lake Usma, nature, village life and outdoor activities come together to appeal to different travel interests. Highlights include a Lutheran church, a swimming area and the Usmas Elkraga nature trail, as well as a cycling route around the lake and a paddling route. When choosing where to stay, travellers can decide whether architecture, swimming, a walk or a multi-day adventure should be the main focus.

Lake and village

Lake Usma is Latvia’s sixth-largest lake by area and its second-largest by water volume. These rankings differ, showing how much the classification depends on the measure used. Usma’s Lutheran church, a unique log church built from round timber, is also located by the lake. In the village of Usma, there is a developed swimming area near the church. Buoys mark off the swimming area. The proximity of the church and swimming area makes it possible to appreciate architecture and swimming as two distinct facets of the place.

Fishing permits for Lake Usma can be purchased at recreation areas or through the e-Loms service. Anyone wishing to include fishing in their stay should consider purchasing a permit as a separate planning item.

Walking and experiencing nature

The Usmas Elkraga nature trail is 700 metres long and built from pine boards. It is used for walks by Lake Usma and offers views of Moricsala, which is part of the Moricsala Nature Reserve. In the municipality, the trail is particularly suitable for people with reduced mobility, older adults and families with small children. Its short length and views of Moricsala combine a walk with a specific nature theme. The trails also differ in their materials and surfaces: the nature trail is made of pine boards, while the cycling route around Lake Usma follows forest tracks and small country roads.

The Moricsala Nature Reserve was established on 6 June 1912. Usma Christian School has an exhibition about the reserve. The landscape can therefore be experienced not only as a view from the nature trail, but also as the subject of an exhibition. Viskūži Island is Latvia’s largest lake island, covering 309.2 hectares.

Cycling route and paddling trip

A 55-kilometre cycling route circles Lake Usma along forest tracks and small country roads. These surfaces define the route, making it a clearly distinct alternative to a walk by the lake. The “From Usma to the Sea” paddling route can be completed in three to five days. The scale of each active outing is therefore clear: the cycling route is a circular ride, while the paddling route is a multi-day trip.

Discover more destinations: Lielirbe, Liepene, Ugāle, Pasiekste, Ziras, Miķeļtornis, Užava, Leči

For the overview of the wider area: Ventspils.