Bernāti: Nature Park, Dunes and Nature Trails

• The nature park was established to protect coastal habitats and rare plant and animal species.
• Its habitats include grey dunes covered with herbaceous plants, embryonic dunes, boreal forests, wooded coastal dunes and foredunes.
• The Bernāti nature trails feature seven educational trails and a total of 151 objects, including sculptures, pavilions, a viewing tower and landscape frames.
• The nature trails are accessible on foot, by private vehicle and by public transport. The bus routes listed are “Liepāja–Nīca–Liepāja” and “Liepāja–Otaņķi–Nīca”; the stop is called “Bernāti”.

The habitats include several types of dunes and forests. Alongside grey dunes with herbaceous vegetation, there are embryonic dunes, wooded coastal dunes and foredunes; boreal forests are also part of the park. This means the nature park cannot be reduced to a single type of landscape. It is protected to preserve coastal habitats and rare plant and animal species.

A total of nine habitat types protected in Latvia and the European Union have been identified in the nature park. This figure gives a sense of the area’s diversity: the dune and forest habitats mentioned are examples within a wider range. So if you choose Bernāti for its nature, you can keep both the purpose of its protection and its visible landscapes in mind.

Seven educational trails and 151 objects are two different figures: the first refers to the trails, the second to the objects along the Bernāti nature trails. These include sculptures, pavilions, a viewing tower and landscape frames. The examples show that, in addition to the protected habitats, designed features are also part of the visitor experience described here.

This distinction helps with orientation: 151 objects does not mean 151 additional paths. If you plan to visit a particular object, bear in mind that nature trail infrastructure may be maintained or changed, and check for current information.

The nature trails can be reached by private vehicle, on foot or by public transport. If travelling by bus, the routes “Liepāja–Nīca–Liepāja” and “Liepāja–Otaņķi–Nīca” are options; the listed stop is called “Bernāti”. Check the timetable before setting out so you can confirm the connection for your travel date. The transport options provide different ways to get there, but do not imply a specific journey time.

Pūsēnu kalns is located in the wider area around Bernāti, in Jūrmalciems, Nīca Parish, within the “Bernāti” nature park. The hill is designated as a protected natural monument. At 37 metres above sea level, it is the highest coastal dune in Latvia on the Baltic Sea coast. This location information links a prominent natural landmark with the wider Bernāti area without placing it in the settlement centre.

Discover more destinations: Nīca, Pērkone, Aucugals.

How many protected habitat types are there in Bernāti Nature Park?

A total of nine habitat types protected in Latvia and the European Union have been identified.

What makes Pūsēnu kalns special?

At 37 metres above sea level, Pūsēnu kalns is the highest coastal dune in Latvia on the Baltic Sea coast.

How do the walkways to the viewing platform differ?

A description published on 20 September 2019 mentions two completed walkways: a narrower one with steps and a wider, step-free one. Before your visit, check whether these conditions still apply.

Go to the broader travel overview: Nīca Municipality.