Pūsēnu Kāpa: Latvia's Majestic Coastal Dune

Pūsēnu Kāpa, or Pūsēnu Hill, is a remarkable natural landmark situated within the Bernāti Nature Park in the South Kurzeme Municipality of Latvia. This coastal dune stands as the highest in Latvia, reaching an elevation of 37 meters. The name 'hill' is a local tradition, as high places are scarce in the region. The dune's formation dates back a couple of centuries to a large fire that destroyed the ground cover, which allowed the sand to shift and accumulate. Over time, Pūsēnu Kāpa buried around 80 houses as it moved inland. Today, its movement has been largely halted by the pine forest that now covers much of it. Visitors can explore Pūsēnu Kāpa via a 1.3 km nature trail that leads to the summit. The trail includes steps in steeper sections. From the top, panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding forest canopy await. The park is open year-round, with each season offering a unique experience. Summer is ideal for picnics, autumn displays vibrant colors, and winter provides a serene, snow-covered landscape. While Pūsēnu Kāpa was used for sand extraction during the Soviet era, the summit remained untouched. Although a quarry was established, these activities ceased more than 20 years ago, and the area is slowly recovering. Recent improvements include a new viewing platform and wooden stairs to help prevent erosion.