Dzirnavas: Ugāle Watermills on the Engure

• The mills are in the village of Dzirnavas, on the banks of the Engure; the Ugāle brick kiln stands right next to them.
• The mills were built around 1843; a fire almost completely destroyed them in 1933.
• The canoe route starts at the mills, runs 7.3 km to Kalnenieki and ends at the bridge over the Engure.
• The Usma Golf Club is on the left bank of the Engure, next to the mills. Its mini-golf course has nine holes and is set in a meadow landscape.

The Ugāle Watermills were built around 1843. In addition to the usual grain milling, a wool-carding operation also developed there. Carding arranges and loosens wool fibres before they are processed further. This means that two distinct types of work came together at this site: processing grain and preparing wool.

A fire almost completely destroyed the mills in 1933. The construction date and the fire mark two clearly separate milestones in their history, drawing attention both to their earlier use and to this severe turning point. Understanding the mills therefore involves both their craft history and the rupture of 1933.

The regulating weir at the Ugāle Watermills is built of stone masonry, and its sluices are fitted with wooden gates. A road crosses the weir. These structural features add specific details about water engineering to the mills’ location on the banks of the Engure.

The Ugāle brick kiln is right next to the mills. The Usma Golf Club is also immediately adjacent, on the left bank of the Engure. The mills, brick kiln and golf course provide different points of reference for a visit: historic buildings and golf are close together here, while the Engure provides the river setting described.

A specific canoe route is described: it is 7.3 km long, starts at the Ugāle Watermills and runs to Kalnenieki, ending at the bridge over the Engure. River conditions and obstacles may vary. Check current conditions before setting out.

The Usma Golf Club offers another activity. Its nine-hole mini-golf course is set in a meadow landscape and is suitable for beginners too. The “Golfa ABC” programme includes individual or group training; advance booking is required. As booking conditions may change, check the current requirements before planning your training. The activities have distinct focuses: the canoe route centres on the distance and destination, while golf centres on the mini-golf course and training format.

When planning a stay in Dzirnavas, it helps to choose a clear focus: are you particularly interested in mill history and water engineering, or would you like to include canoeing and golf in your travel plans? These interests can guide your search for a suitable hotel by showing which themes you want to shape your daily itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Pasiekste, Pope, Ventspils, Ventava, Lielirbe, Akmeņdziras, Ziras and Miķeļtornis.

When were the Ugāle Watermills built?

They were built around 1843. A fire almost completely destroyed them in 1933.

How long is the canoe route?

It is 7.3 km long, starts at the mills and ends at the bridge over the Engure, near Kalnenieki. River conditions and obstacles may vary.

Is the golf course suitable for beginners too?

Yes, the golf course is suitable for beginners too. Advance booking is required for individual or group training in the “Golfa ABC” programme.

To the main travel overview: Ventspils.