Barefoot trail, Latvia

This item appears on page 51 of the May 2014 issue.

Just outside the Latvian town of Valmiera, near the entrance to Gauja National Park, the Barefoot Nature Trail is a 4,500-foot-long trail on which visitors can experience walking on many different surfaces, like glass spheres, pinecones, chestnuts and sand. Elements of the trail also test balance. 

Entry costs one lat (near $2). The path is located at the SPA Center & Hotel (J. Dalin¸a Street 2, Valmiera; phone +371 27879242), where a path map can be purchased. Footbaths (two lats) are available at the end of the walk.