Pape Nature Park

Pape is a rewilding project on the south coast, where konik wild horses, Heck cattle and European bison graze a mosaic of dune, meadow and lagoon behind a long empty beach. Add one of the busiest bird migration corridors on the Baltic and it becomes a genuinely wild-feeling corner of a tame country.

What you actually see

• Wild horses and cattle - herds of konik horses and Heck cattle roaming the grasslands and dunes.
• Lake Pape - a shallow coastal lagoon and reedbed, rich in birds.
• Bird migration - a major flyway; autumn sees huge numbers pass down the coast.
• The empty beach - a long wild strand with almost no development.

When to go

Late spring and summer to see the herds and foals; autumn for the bird migration. The animals roam freely, so sightings take a little walking and patience.

Honest expectations

The animals are wild and not guaranteed on a quick visit - this is grazing rewilding, not a safari park. Facilities are minimal and the tracks are rough; a car and sturdy shoes help. Keep a respectful distance from the horses and cattle.

Nearby

Liepaja with its Karosta naval fortress is to the north; the Lithuanian coast and Palanga lie just across the border south.