Viļaka – Island in the Lake, Culture and Cycling Routes

• The Viļaka Museum presents the history of the town and its surrounding area from the 13th century to the present day.
• A 144-metre-long pontoon bridge provides access to the island in Lake Viļaka.
• There is a 442-metre-long walking path on the island.
• Cycle Route No. 777 runs for 19 kilometres through Viļaka to Semenova.
• The lakeside promenade includes, among other things, a boat landing, camping and motorhome pitches, a children's playground, a volleyball court, picnic areas and a bathing area.

The lake is a distinct focus when planning your trip. You can reach the island in Lake Viļaka via the 144-metre-long pontoon bridge. A 442-metre-long walking path leads across the island. During the summer season, the island can also be reached by SUP boards through the services of “Ezertūre”.

At the promenade, you will find several different uses in one place: a boat landing, camping and motorhome pitches, picnic areas, a volleyball court, a children's playground and a bathing area. This makes the lakeshore area interesting for different day plans, without requiring you to combine all the facilities. Those travelling with children can include the playground in their plans; anyone looking for exercise by the water can consider the walking path or an SUP trip.

The Viļaka Museum covers the history of the town and its surrounding area from the 13th century to the present day. It is housed in a former building of the Capuchin friary. A visit to the museum therefore combines the town's historical development with a distinctive building.

Other defining buildings include the Catholic and Lutheran churches. The Catholic Church of Viļaka is a Gothic brick building dating from 1891. Its furnishings include three oak altars, 13 stained-glass windows and an organ with 22 registers. The Lutheran church was built in 1928 in the Neo-Gothic style on a hill with old Finnic-Ugric graves.

The former park of the Viļaka estate, also known as Marienhauzenas, contains an open-air stage, the “Lāsīte” fountain and a children's playground. If you would like to compare another destination with Viļaka, you can also see Nastrova.

For a shorter excursion, the 19-kilometre Cycle Route No. 777 is a good option. It runs through Viļaka to Semenova. The Viļaka Museum at Klostera iela 1 is recommended as the starting point for this route. This information helps you include the start of the cycling tour in your daily plans.

Viļaka is also located on the 169-kilometre Cycle Route No. 34, “Rypoj vasals!”, through the Ziemeļlatgale region. The route runs from Balvi via Viļaka, Rekova, Baltinava, Kārsava, Malnava, Salnava, Tilža, Lazdukalns and Rugāji. In addition, Regional Cycle Route No. 15 passes through Viļaka on its continuation from Borisova to the Russian border. This allows you to distinguish between an individual route through the town's surroundings and longer regional routes.

For those interested in culture, the museum and churches are the main attractions, while the lakeside promenade, island and walking path offer different options for planning your day. Cyclists can take into account the recommended starting point at the Viļaka Museum as well as the length of their preferred route. Therefore, compare hotels according to the location that suits your own travel itinerary, rather than choosing accommodation solely based on a single excursion destination.

How long is Cycle Route No. 777?

Cycle Route No. 777 is 19 kilometres long and runs through Viļaka to Semenova.

How do you get to the island in Lake Viļaka?

A 144-metre-long pontoon bridge provides access to the island. During the summer season, it can also be reached by SUP boards through the services of “Ezertūre”.

What is there on the island in Lake Viļaka?

There is a 442-metre-long walking path on the island.

What facilities are available at the lakeside promenade?

The lakeside promenade includes a boat landing, camping and motorhome pitches, a children's playground, a volleyball court, picnic areas and a bathing area.

To the overarching travel overview: Viļakas novads.