Latvia | Kurzeme | Skrunda, Kuldīga | Venta
44 2 0343 35 Venta Latvian / Lithuanian border - Skrunda  
Description Routes Places Operators
 

After the Vadakste river estuary (A) for 3km the Venta forms the Latvian - Lithuanian border. Around 30m wide, a shallow stream with a good fall; during the summer at places it is overgrown with water-weeds, with beautifully grown in trees here and there along the banks. The first islets appear in the river, although their numbers are reducing. Both sides of the river are farmland; frequent shrubs grow along the river.

 600 m behind the Losis the tributary of the right bank – the Zana - is located, and after less than 2km Nigrande appears (B), and this is where the nicest section of Venta starts. The next 13,2km till the Letiza estuary is a string of islets, fords and quick-streams. Behind the outlet of the Skervelis (C) the Venta still flows quite rapidly and beautiful forests appear on the banks. After a wide curve the Venta carves into a dolomite detrition about 13m in height. These are the Gobdzini rocks. Here is an overflow in the river; the place is beautiful and it is definitely worth stopping and climbing the rocks to view the landscape.

 Behind Gobdzini rocks thee forest withdraws from the river, it throws a few large arcs until paddlers spot the church towers of Leni Catholic church. Right at the foot of the Church is a good place to finish paddling. The next 8.8 km to Skrunda the Venta flows through farmed fields. There is nothing special to see here - everything depends on your companions and the motivation to reach Skrunda (D) - another possible finish station for paddling.