Košrags: Livonian Coastal Culture and Beach Trails

Košrags combines the history of a Livonian coastal fishing village with beach landscapes, nature trails and impressive reminders of past work and education. The settlement was established in the 17th century. Those planning a trip can combine culture, walks and an exploration of the regional landscape here.

Livonian History in the Homesteads and at the Harbour

A special insight into the area’s history can be found at Žoki in Košrags: in the mid-19th century, it was home to the first school providing reading instruction for Livonian children from the coastal villages of Dundaga. The homesteads also tell the story of the settlement’s development. Anduļi is one of the preserved old homesteads that form the central area of Košrags. At the same time, Anduļi is the oldest homestead in Košrags. It has been known by this name since 1896; before that, it was mentioned in 1680 as “Kūkiņi”.

More examples of Livonian folklore were recorded at Anduļi than at any other Livonian homestead. For visitors interested in the language, traditions and history of the Livonian coast, this makes the site a tangible point of contact with the local culture. The area’s history also includes the construction of the harbour in 1932 under the direction of Didriķis Volganskis and a groyne built in 1938 for collecting seaweed manure, known in Latvian as “mudas”. These historical details show how closely life in Košrags was connected with the coast and the sea.

Beach, Forest and Trails in the Surrounding Area

In the wider regional surroundings of Košrags, Slītere National Park includes a 30–50 m-high bluff formed by the former Baltic Ice Lake, species-rich natural deciduous forest, and complexes of dune ridges and narrow, boggy depressions, especially fens. Košrags is also connected with Slītere National Park, a Natura 2000 site, as well as the Livonian Coast, “Līvõd rānda”, and its sandy beach landscape.

Košrags has a recreational beach of local importance. The beach at Košrags is suitable for long walks and hikes. This allows you to shape your stay in different ways: you can focus on the history of the homesteads and the fishing village or place greater emphasis on the coast and landscape. The “Gar Dižjūr un Mazjūr” route adds another option for cycling travellers. The circular cycle route branches off from Košrags; along its entire length, it can be travelled via three parallel routes: a forest trail through the villages that becomes a gravel road in sections, the paved Kolka–Ventspils road, or the beach along the coast.

Košrags as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

When looking for holiday accommodation or a holiday home in Košrags, it is worth deciding in advance what kind of travel experience you want. Those particularly interested in Livonian history can plan the homesteads, school and historical connections with the harbour as cultural highlights. Those who prefer activity and landscapes will find different options for structuring their days in beach walks, hikes and the cycle route. The three routes described for the cycling trail offer different perspectives on the villages, forest, road and coast.

For further trip planning, you can also explore these destinations: Mazirbe, Pitrags, Dūmele, Saunags, Kolka and Dundaga.

For the broader travel overview: Dundagas Novads.