Dzirnavas and the Ugāle Watermills

The Ugāle Watermills are located on the banks of the Engure in the village of Dzirnavas. The Usmas Golf Club is right next to them. A canoe route also starts at the mills and leads to Kalnenieki. This brings local history and two different active pursuits together in one place. When planning your trip, you can think of Dzirnavas in terms of its historic mill complex, a golf option, or a canoe trip.

History of the Ugāle Watermills

The Ugāle Watermills were built around 1843. In addition to the usual grain milling, a wool-carding operation also developed there. This term refers to the processing of wool; in Dzirnavas, this activity was added to grain milling. In 1933, a fire almost completely destroyed the watermills. The approximate year of construction and the precisely dated fire mark different points in the mills’ development: their construction and a major setback. Together with wool carding, these details help place both the mills’ use and the turning point in their history in context. The additional wool processing broadens the picture of the site beyond grain milling.

Dam, sluices, and brick kiln

The regulating dam at the Ugāle Watermills is made of masonry, and its sluices have wooden gates. A road crosses the dam. The Ugāle brick kiln is also located beside the mills. This means the site’s architectural interest ranges from the water-regulating dam to another structure right next to it. If you are interested in historic engineering, you can explore the site through these different features: the dam, the wooden sluice gates, and the neighboring brick kiln. The materials and layout add concrete architectural details to the history.

Mini golf, training, and the canoe route

The Usmas Golf Club is on the left bank of the Engure, right next to the Ugāle Watermills. The club has a nine-hole mini golf course in a meadow landscape; the golf course is also suitable for beginners. The “Golfa ABC” program offers individual or group training. Advance registration is required for this training. You can choose between the mini golf course and a guided training format; if you plan to take part in “Golfa ABC,” register in advance.

The canoe route from the Ugāle Watermills to Kalnenieki is 7.3 km long and ends at the bridge over the Engure. The starting point, destination, and route length give the outing a clear framework. Unlike mini golf, the canoe trip follows a route; river conditions and obstacles may vary. Take this variability into account when planning before deciding to go.

The active options differ in terms of the facilities and training format on offer, compared with a 7.3 km route on the water. This lets you choose where to go based on a specific itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Užava, Vendzavas, Pasiekste, Ventspils, Ugāle, Zūras, Akmeņdziras, Miķeļtornis

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