Pine Hill Infrastructure

It is located on the left bank of the Daugava between the Riga HPP - Jaunjelgava (P85) and Bauska - Aizkraukle (P87) roads. Its western slope is crossed by the so-called Degumu road. A very pronounced relief form - 84 m above sea level, which was a strategically important place on the front line of the left bank of the Daugava during the First and Second World Wars. The positions of the trenches cover the hill from three sides (except its southern part), but the flat and slopes of the hill are incised with pits of various sizes, which are clearly visible both in nature and on LIDAR maps. From the eastern side, Priežu Hill is surrounded by the deep ravine of the Raju Stream. Priežu kalnis should be seen as a part of a larger military "complex" (from both world wars of the 20th century): 0.8 km northeast of it was the bridge built by the German army during the Second World War across the Daugava (pillars preserved on the banks), 1.3 km to the east of it - in Āmurkalnė - a "flakturm" was built, while in Taurkalnė, 6 km away, there is a Jelgava - Krustpils railway station with an ammunition storage from the Second World War (according to legend), and less than a kilometer to the south - the graves of the Vecluiku brothers from the First World War. You can get to the top of the Pine Hill by a small road that leads to the cell tower. The Daugava valley is clearly visible from the cut forest ridge to the north. The continuous line of trenches (can be traced in nature and on LIDAR maps) encircling Priežu Hill continues for more than 9 km in the west-northwest direction up to the Enkurnieki-Lāčplėš road. The vicinity of Priežu and Smilšu kalnas (2.9 km southwest of Priežu kalnas) is a suitable place for hiking.