Sēlijas Stirnu buks & Vylks

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Eight bends of the Daugava River, the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises, wild horses and crane calls, splendid manors and castles, delicious food, and hospitality – this is the Augšdaugava region. Selija and Latgale meet at this place.

Long-distance trail enthusiasts can already start sharpening their running shoes, as Vylki (pronounced with a hard 'i,' even across the Daugava) will leave their mark on Sēlija's identity this year on August 2nd!

Jānis Pliekšāns (Rainis) beautifully captured the intertwined identities of the region in his autobiographical poem "Saules gadi" (1925):
"A Latgalian born,
A Semigallian, part-Lithuanian –
Three Latvian Lithuanian tribes
Joined hands together."

Meanwhile, Jānis Puida, the course director for this stage, promises the SSK BEBRA participants more than just a view of Vylki—he plans to take them straight to Vellu (the Devil himself)! Thankfully, the course is promised not to exceed 80 km—let's take him at his word!

As for the rest of the Stirnubuks pack, they will enjoy a more leisurely exploration of cultural treasures left by the Plater-Zyberk dynasty, surrounded by the pearls of the Augšzeme Highlands and trenches dating back to World War I.

This stage is shaping into a true adventure, offering a physical and historical journey through the heart of Sēlija!