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- The heritage train ride — Climb aboard restored narrow-gauge carriages pulled by vintage diesel (and sometimes steam) locomotives. The slow, clattering pace gives proper time to drink in the landscape and appreciate how rail travel felt a century ago — one of the few operational narrow-gauge tourist lines left in the Baltics.
- Gulbene station and engine depot — The lovingly restored wooden station and adjacent engine shed are a treat for gearheads and photographers. You can peek at historic rolling stock, watch maintenance/ restoration work, and imagine the hustle of a regional hub from another era.
- Alūksne station and lakeside town — The line terminates at Alūksne, a compact town with a pleasant lakeside park and easy walking routes. It’s a nice place to linger after the ride: cafes, wooden
- The heritage train ride — Climb aboard restored narrow-gauge carriages pulled by vintage diesel (and sometimes steam) locomotives. The slow, clattering pace gives proper time to drink in the landscape and appreciate how rail travel felt a century ago — one of the few operational narrow-gauge tourist lines left in the Baltics.
- Gulbene station and engine depot — The lovingly restored wooden station and adjacent engine shed are a treat for gearheads and photographers. You can peek at historic rolling stock, watch maintenance/ restoration work, and imagine the hustle of a regional hub from another era.
- Alūksne station and lakeside town — The line terminates at Alūksne, a compact town with a pleasant lakeside park and easy walking routes. It’s a nice place to linger after the ride: cafes, wooden houses, and a relaxed small-town vibe that contrasts with the train’s nostalgia.
- Quaint rural stations and wooden architecture — Many tiny halts along the route still use original wooden shelters, platforms and signs. They’re small, photogenic slices of Latvian railway heritage that you won’t see on modern lines.
- Seasonal landscapes and close-up nature — The track threads forests, meadows and marshy lowlands, offering great variation through the year: spring greens, wildflowers, golden autumns and stark snowy scenes in winter. Because trains run slowly, you get intimate views rather than motorway blur.
- Bridges, cuttings and narrow-gauge engineering — The route features compact bridges, tight curves and embankments made for the 750 mm gauge — neat examples of early 20th-century railway design adapted to local terrain. Great for anyone curious about how railways were fitted into rural landscapes.
- Special events and community atmosphere — Steam specials, photo charters and station-side markets pop up seasonally, bringing locals and rail enthusiasts together. These days turn a simple ride into a lively cultural experience with food, music and the kind of friendliness you won’t find on a commuter line.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.