Lāde: Cycling Routes, Manor House and Nabes Castle

• The Lāde–Aloja Greenway route starts at Lāde railway station, passes through Limbaži and continues to Aloja.
• The “Zaļie dzelzceļi” network uses former railway lines for cycling and hiking trails; the route and its connecting sections are marked.
• The manor house of the Lāde estate was built in the neoclassical style in 1870.
• At “Avotiņi” there is an open-air exhibition of medicinal plants featuring more than 300 plants.

The “Zaļie dzelzceļi” network combines cycling and hiking along former railway lines. If you are planning a trip, you can follow the Lāde–Aloja Greenway section: it starts at Lāde railway station and then passes through Limbaži on its way to Aloja. The network’s connecting sections are also marked.

Another specific point of reference is the Lāde–Limbaži section, which includes the Mucenieku Bridge. Between Lāde railway station and Limbaži, you can also visit and shop at N. Bomja “Lielezers” bakery. This allows you to take different interests into account when planning: in addition to the route itself, you may also want to stop and shop.

The medieval Nabes Castle is listed in the State Register of Protected Cultural Monuments as an archaeological monument of national significance. Its tower stands on the southwestern shore of Lake Lāde. A residential tower is all that remains of the outer castle of Nabes; it was first mentioned in writing in 1318.

The Lāde estate is another link to the area’s history. Its manor house was built in the neoclassical style in 1870, during the tenure of estate leaseholder Heinrihs Bērens von Rautenfeld. The estate is on the eastern shore of Lake Lāde, while the tower of Nabes Castle stands on the southwestern shore. Another historic stop is Jaunlādes muiža, the former Lāde primary school. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Auziņu and was built in 1933.

The lakeside locations help distinguish between the sites mentioned: the Lāde estate is on the eastern shore of Lake Lāde, while the tower of medieval Nabes Castle is on the southwestern shore. At “Avotiņi,” on the eastern shore of Lake Auziņu, there is a functional open-air exhibition of medicinal plants created by Jānis Ulmis. It features more than 300 plants. Visitors can learn how to make medicinal teas and other plant-based preparations there.

Boat services are also mentioned at Lake Lāde, and the details should be distinguished by time period: licensed fishing and boat rental are offered at the “Skariņu” recreation centre. The “Lādes ezers” association offered boat rentals in the vicinity of the destination. When planning, it is therefore important not to treat these two details as referring to the same provider or period.

Lāde Library is located at “Lādes Vītoli” in Lāde. Find more pages about: Vidriži, Ķirbiži, Vārzas, Nabe, Bīriņi, Kaijciems, Limbaži and Mustkalni.

Where does the Lāde–Aloja Greenway route start?

The section starts at Lāde railway station, passes through Limbaži and continues to Aloja.

What can you see and learn at “Avotiņi”?

There is an open-air exhibition of medicinal plants by Jānis Ulmis featuring more than 300 plants. Visitors can learn how to make medicinal teas and other plant-based preparations.

Where are the Lāde estate and the tower of Nabes Castle?

The Lāde estate is on the eastern shore of Lake Lāde. The tower of medieval Nabes Castle stands on the southwestern shore.

For the broader travel overview: Limbažu Novads.