Usmas Elkraga dabas taka

The trail stretches along Lake Usma, which is the sixth largest lake in Latvia for it’s total area and the second – for it’s water storage capacity.

The trail opens the view to the fabulous and famous Morics Island, also mentioned in Latvian songs. The island is part of the Moricsala Nature Reserve with a total area of 818 ha. It is the second oldest nature reserve in Europe, founded in 1912. In 1727, the Saxon Count named Morics, fleeing from the Russian troops, retreated to the island with his soldiers. However, seeing the redominance of the Russian troops, the Count decided to flee from the island under the guise of the night, and went to Ventspils, later becoming the famous French army marshal. Since then, the island has been called Moricsala, although it was originally called the Fish Island. The island has an invaluable natural value, as it is home to 1/5 of all Latvian plants and many valuable insect species. The trail is accessible to people in wheelchairs and parents with baby-strollers.