Bigauņciems

On the sea in Bigauņciems, there is an unofficial bathing area, paths along the Siliņupe and a section of the Forest Trail. Coming from Riga, Bigauņciems is the first fishing village. In the 19th century, Bigauņciems began developing into a resort area; many summer houses were built there during this period. Bigauņciems thus brings together a fishing village, resort development and paths along the water.

Sea, Siliņupe and Paths

Waterbirds such as mallards, coots and grey herons are often observed on the Siliņupe. The river environment therefore differs from the open sea, which can be reached via a wooden boardwalk. A wooden boardwalk on the border between Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems runs along the Siliņupe to the sea and the old Lapmežciems pier. The path thus connects the river environment with the coast and also leads to the old pier. If you choose this route, you can experience the waterbirds on the Siliņupe and the coastal section in one walk.

The section of the Forest Trail from Jāņukrogs to Bigauņciems ends on Bigauņciems Beach opposite Old Ķemeri Road. On the same section, the Forest Trail overlaps with the “Meža aplis” cycling route in Ķemeri National Park. The shared route thus brings the hiking trail and cycling route together on one section. Those who follow the Forest Trail to the beach reach its endpoint on the coast; the overlap with the cycling route is located in Ķemeri National Park.

Bathing Area and Practical Information

The unofficial bathing area “Lapmežciema - Bigauņciema pludmale”, also known as “Kupskalnu pludmale”, is located in Lapmežciems parish on the border between Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems. It can be reached via the Kupskalnu Nature Trail and the roads Kronīšū, Lomu iela and Kurpnieku iela. A paved boardwalk leads to this bathing area and its parking lot. It provides access for people with reduced mobility and families with children in strollers. The bathing area also has a changing room, an information board and a children’s playground. Several paths and the paved boardwalk therefore lead to the same beach area, while the parking lot and facilities are located directly at the bathing area.

History and Audioguide

A fixed date in the history of the village is 14 November 1864: on that day, the Bigauņciems school was inaugurated. The Jūrciemi audioguide includes the route “Bigauņciems – Lapmežciems” and covers the historic school in Bigauņciems. The school is therefore part of the historical context that the audioguide connects with the route between Bigauņciems and Lapmežciems. The date also falls within the period when Bigauņciems developed into a resort area and many summer houses were built.

If you would then like to explore other places in the same selection, you can go to Lapmežciems, Ragaciems, Ķesterciems, Klapkalnciems, Apšuciems, Plieņciems, Bērzciems or Radziņciems.

For the higher-level travel overview: Engures Municipality.