Ikšķile

Specific attractions in Ikšķile include the Ogres Zilie kalni area, the Daugava with its island views, several cultural and historical structures, the Vīna ceļš experience and a section of the Camino de Santiago running through the town. In addition, Milžu taka is an adventure park; in summer, the Ikšķile Water and Recreation Sports Centre also offers boat trips.

When there is snow, the cross-country ski trail in the Ogres Zilie kalni area runs from Ikšķile to Ogre and back. Its total length is almost 12 km. The trail begins on the Ikšķile side, so it is possible to join it from the town side of Ikšķile.

Milžu taka offers another form of physical activity. The adventure park is located among the trees of Ogres Zilie kalni Park and includes an exciting obstacle course. You can test your strength on three courses with different levels of difficulty. This clearly distinguishes the experience from the cross-country ski trail: the focus here is not on a longer route, but on choosing between different courses.

Ikšķile Beach offers views of the Daugava and St. Meinhard Island. In summer, the Ikšķile Water and Recreation Sports Centre offers boat trips to Meinhard Island and Death Island. The islands are therefore a distinct part of the local water-based experience, without this implying any specific excursion programme or fixed duration.

The ruins of Ikšķile Church on St. Meinhard Island can be reached by boat or ferry. When the water level of the reservoir of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant falls, they can also be reached on foot via the former road that has emerged from the water. In this case, access explicitly depends on the water level. When planning, it is therefore important to distinguish between regular access by boat or ferry and this special, water-level-dependent possibility.

The house of artist and stage designer Jānis Kuga in Ikšķile was built according to his own design. It is an architectural monument of local significance and bears VKPAI number 8232. Ikšķile Open-Air Stage is also a culturally and historically significant site; since 2008, it has held monument status.

Ikšķile Lutheran Church also offers several historically distinct points of interest. Its foundation stone was laid on 28 June 1931, and the church was consecrated in 1933. The architect was P. Kundziņš; the building is an architectural monument of state significance. The altarpiece was created by artist and professor at the Latvian Academy of Art J. Kuga, who was from Ikšķile.

The Vīna ceļš experience in Ikšķile offers tastings of Libertu birch sap wine as well as rhubarb and berry wines from Vīna Ceļš. Six different wines are served during a tasting. They are accompanied by traditional wine pairings such as cheese and olives, as well as chocolate made from cocoa beans at the same production site. This makes Vīna ceļš an independent culinary highlight that goes beyond a single type of beverage.

The Camino de Santiago passes through Ikšķile, Ogre and Ķegums and comprises a route 50 km long in total. The section passing through Ikšķile can be walked year-round. The monument to St. Meinhard commemorates the religious history; it was erected on 24 September 2010 at the side of the Riga–Daugavpils road.

If you would also like to consider other destinations for your trip planning, you can visit the pages for Turkalne and Tīnūži.

Can a route begin at Ikšķile railway station?

Yes. A route can begin at Ikšķile railway station. The Forest Bee Educational Trail is located at the beginning of the Ogres Zilie kalni area on the Ikšķile side and is 1 km from Ikšķile railway station.

How is the Camino de Santiago in Ikšķile marked?

The section is marked with yellow arrows and scallop shells on a dark blue background. This marking is used for orientation on the route passing through Ikšķile.

What is special about the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites?

The monastery church was consecrated on 2 October 2011. The monastery of the Discalced Carmelites has been Latvia’s first contemplative cloistered monastery since the Reformation in the 16th century.

For the overall travel overview: Ikšķile Municipality.