Abava

Type of the river : Abava is Class 1 river. It has the most beautiful ancient valley in Kurzeme. The river is proper for leisure paddling. In springtime you can start in place Pure, but summer routes are common starting from Plosti or Sabile. If you wish to escape from civilization, good place to start is Renda.

Recommended type of boat : Canoe. Prefferably polyethylene hulls due to obstacles along the course. But it is also possible to go by any kind of kayak or inflatable boat. Trip duration may vary from stated though.

Canoeing routes (click to see description):

*		Route	distance	duration
		Kandava - Plosti campsite	16 km	1 day
		Kandava - Abava hub	29 km	1 day
		Devil's stone - Abava hub	16 km	1 day
		Plosti camp. - Vegu bridge	19 km	1 day
		Kandava - Vegu bridge	35 km	2 days
		Renda bridge - Venta river	36 km	2 days
		Renda bridge - Naba lakes	44 km	2 days
		Renda - Zleku bridge	50 km	2 days
		Pure - Renda bridge	60 km	3 days
		Plosti camp. - Naba lakes	76 km	3 days
		Kandava - Naba lakes	92 km	4 days

* the color reflects tourists' preferences in selecting a route from this list (red is more often). Code according to the scale:

- season's top route

Abava is a quite drift and calm river. You will face minor rapids and overfalls closer to river Venta. Most common routes are starting from town Kandava to village Renda or river Venta, however some put in considerably upstream – in surroundings of town Tukums. Near town Kandava river becomes rambling, thus you move away from Kandava quite slowly. Also downstream the flow is often drift, so if you go by inflatable boat, you will have to paddle pretty hard to move on.

Abava hub can be easily spotted at a distance. It's an about one meter high dolomite upsurge across the river. Main stream flows along on the left bank. If water level is low, it is recommended to cross the hub by main stream. Otherwise, if water level is high, it is recommended to scout the hub – the right bank of river is the easiest solution by land.

In about 200 meters downstream the hub, river turns swift and a little bit waving.

Abava hub is an attractive place to visit for tourists and quite crowded in summer; if you intend to make a camp place here, be ware of thieves.

Banks of river Abava until village Renda are covered with bushes, there are some sandstone outdrops. Below village Renda Abava flows through under occupied terrain. There are practically no access roads. Scenic beauty of wild nature is outstanding here. Sandstone outdrops become more common in this stage of river.

Abava routes can be connected with other routes and thus diversified via scouting (it's recommended to equip with special boat carriage) starting from Abava through the lake of Sluja to Usma lake, by continuing Engure, Rinda and Irbe rivers' routes. See details in route descriptions:

Exoticness and route connections:

Abava routes are serviced by two regional service partners in Plosti campsite and "Straumeni" nearby Kuldiga. At your disposal here two, three and four seated canoes, paddles, life jackets, boat carriages, camping site, parking-lot. See your rental contract for contact information.

Nature reservation “Abava ancient valley”

All Abava routes lead through the territory of Abava ancient valley nature reservation. Please instruct the rules of visiting territory.