When looking for a holiday apartment in Namsadi, it is also worth exploring the region’s travel ideas: the narrow-gauge railway, cycling routes, lakes and historical connections each offer a different focus. The railway and cycling routes are part of a larger travel area; circular route 164 and the history of StÄmeriena offer further specific points of interest.
Narrow-gauge railway and cycling routes in the travel area
In the wider region, the 750 mm narrow-gauge Gulbene–Alūksne railway runs regularly along a 33-kilometre route. There are two trips in each direction every day. If you are planning a train journey, check the timetable before your visit.
Across the wider travel area, six cycling routes run along the BÄnÄ«tis railway line. They cross the tracks at several points and lead to stops on the narrow-gauge railway. This connects the cycling routes and railway line across the region; however, the description covers six cycling routes, not a single circular route. Historic railway station buildings are located at the Kalniene, StÄmeriena, Paparde, Umernieki and AlÅ«ksne stops. These stops were once railway stations—a distinct historical connection along the railway line.
Circular route and manor estate areas
Close to the destination is the 23-kilometre circular route 164, “Ap StÄmerienu un Kalnamuižu.†It connects the historic estate areas of StÄmeriena, Kalnamuiža and Jaunkalnamuiža. The route’s length and circular layout provide a clear framework for planning; no specific duration or difficulty level is implied.
Across the wider travel area, six cycling routes also run along the railway line and stop at railway stops. Circular route 164 is a separate route, 23 kilometres long. This means you can consider an individual circular route and the regional cycling network as different planning options, without combining them into a single route.
Lakes and landscape in StÄmerienas pagasts
StÄmerienas pagasts has four lakes with markedly different areas: Ludza covers 279 hectares, Lake StÄmerienas 97.85 hectares, Pogas 28.36 hectares and Kalnienas (Ģērmaņu) 15.66 hectares. Comparing their sizes shows that Ludza is the largest by area and Kalnienas (Ģērmaņu) the smallest. The names and area figures offer a specific guide to the lakes of the wider travel area.
Lake StÄmerienas lies in the Gulbenes paugurvalnis upland of the AlÅ«ksnes augstiene, 117.1 metres above sea level. It is 1.5 kilometres long and up to 0.8 kilometres wide. Its average depth is 6.5 metres, and its maximum depth is 18.7 metres. The length, width and depth figures describe different aspects of the same lake: its maximum depth is considerably greater than its average, while its length indicates the lake’s greater extent.
A historical connection in StÄmeriena
The region’s history can also be traced through specific events. At the consecration of the then-new Orthodox church in StÄmeriena on 6 June 1904, Archbishop Agafangel of Riga and Mitau led the service. Clergy from the capital, including Bormans, and twelve clergymen from surrounding parishes attended. The date and the composition of the clergy give the event a clear historical context. It adds a religious connection in the destination’s surroundings to the history of the former railway stations and manor estate areas.
Discover more destinations: Lizums, Ranka, Gulbene, StÄmeriena, Daukstes, Galgauska, StÄÄ·i, VelÄ“na.
For the overview of the wider travel area: Gulbenes Novads.
