Mežonīgās Vidzemes Stirnu buks

After two relatively comfortable, well-equipped, and easily accessible race centers (you get used to comfort quickly, don’t you?), Stirnu Buks will finally head into the wild — into more rugged terrain! The “bucks” have never raced in Limbaži Municipality before.

“Augstrozes Robiņi” is located in Umurga Parish. The word “umurga” comes from the Livonian language and means a stream flowing through a marshy area — a very fitting name. Wetlands cover around 12% of the parish, making it one of the richest natural areas in Vidzeme.

Robiņi (historically also referred to as Robiņš) is like an island — a place from which to observe, smell, and truly experience the surrounding forests and bogs.

Much like islands with meadows around them, the plains of Augstroze’s forests and wetlands are dotted with hills and mounds (dauguļi) — landforms created where glacier tongues once converged. On topographic maps, they resemble “roses,” which is believed to be one of the origins of the name Augstroze.

One of the highest hills not only in the area but in all of Limbaži Municipality is Piltiņkalns — a true hillfort with terraces and characteristic features, preserved intact and now inhabited by badgers.

To take in distant views and experience the beauty of untamed nature, the Augstroze area offers several viewpoints, including Gulotnes Hill (the highest in the area, also known as the “king of hills”), as well as Ozolkalns, Kuņņu Hill, Slaveņu Hill, Pūces Hill, and Cēsu Hill, where a ski jumping ramp was already built in 1936. Many of these hills have served as ancient hillforts, recreational areas, sports grounds, sacred places, and gathering spots. If the Gauja River is the backbone of Vidzeme, then the hills of Augstroze are its heart.

These hills are gently embraced by vast forests and bogs: Zaltene Bog, Vecmuiža Bog, Čuži Bog, Bisnieki Bog, Annasmuiža Bog, and Rupuču Bog. These areas are vital habitats for protected bird species, as well as home to bears, wolves, lynxes, bats, and countless smaller creatures.

Although it may seem that Vidzeme has been explored inside and out and every trail has been walked many times, this time we are truly heading into the unknown — or at least a lesser-known area. The course designer is Edijs Dzalbs, the driving force of “Mūsmežs” and right-hand man of trail-building master Šoko! We know — some eyebrows are already raising: Daibe and LATVIA TRAIL RACE are still fresh in memory! And yes, they will rise again — the abandoned and somewhat forgotten trails, even old mountain skiing tracks in the Augstroze area, will make hearts race. However, the most epic segments from Daibe will be respectfully saved for future LATVIA TRAIL RACE editions.

We won’t go too close to bear dens, but they will be watching us. The same goes for the white-tailed eagle — we will make a wide detour around its nest.

All race routes are carefully coordinated with specialists from the Nature Conservation Agency, as nearby lie protected areas of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, including the Augstroze Nature Reserve, home to rare invertebrates, plants, birds, and bats. With respect and care!

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See you in wild Vidzeme — at Zilver and Dzalbs!
“It will be fun,” they said!*

P.S. “Robiņi” is managed by Jānis Zilvers and his family from the Stirnu Buks photo team — we are grateful for the opportunity to use this territory!