BEST PLACES TO SHOOT PHOTOS IN THE GAUJA NATIONAL PARK
Rock outcrops
View in Gauja National Park River Gauja Photo: Baltic Pictures Landscape in Gauja National Park
WHY GAUJA NATIONAL PARK? WHAT IS BEST SEEN IN GAUJA NATIONAL Gauja National Park is included in Natura 2000 — the network of protected areas PARK OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR across the European Union. It is a place where a large variety of habitats and I Views of ravines and river valleys (leafless period) species, and a large number of plants, birds, and animals are found within a rela- II Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered landscapes, frost, winter sports tively small area (dense populations). Relatively often one can find species here, disciplines which are rare and scattered over a large area elsewhere in Europe. The primeval III Footprints of animals in snow, early signs of spring in the nature valley of the River Gauja (with its lateral tributaries and primeval valleys of other IV Spring floods, floating ice, water tourists on the River Amata — tributaries — Amata, Brasla), which is shaped by the glacier, is among the most mid-April, while bird migration, early mushrooms in late April V Blooming bird-cherry trees, dandelion meadows, birds, animals, impressive terrain forms in the Baltics, which was an important pre-condition spring plants for people to settle down here. The local natural conditions have affected and VI Plant diversity. Heritage monuments, settlements contributed to the development of very diverse heritage monuments (hillforts, VII Canoeing on the Rivers Gauja or Brasla. River views. Various medieval castles, lake fortresses, manors, manor parks, etc.), which have de- habitats, heritage monuments veloped a unique landscape over the course of time thanks to the interaction VIII Mushrooms, bird migration of man and nature. The dense network of trails, accessibility of area, and rivers IX Mushrooms, bird migration X Golden leaves of autumn on the banks of the primeval valley of the open for canoeing are yet another reason, why it is easy to travel, learn, and take River Gauja, at the end of October — migration of salmon-like fish photos at any period of the year! XI Sandstone outcrops and related habitats and landscapes XII Views of ravines and river valleys (leafless period) SERVICE
| Sigulda Municipality Tourism Information Centre | Leisure Park “Rāmkalni”, “Vītiņkalni”, | Leisure park & camping “Ozolkalns” Sigulda, Ausekļa Street 6, +371 67971335, [email protected], Inčukalns rural territory, Inčukalns Municipality, +371 “Saulkrasti”, Drabeši rural territory, Amata Municipality, www.tourism.sigulda.lv 29100280, [email protected], www.ramkalni.lv +371 26400200, [email protected], www.ozolkalns.lv
| Līgatne Municipality Tourism Information Centre | Bīriņi Castle Bīriņi, Vidriži rural territory, | Hotel “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”, Līgatne, Spriņģu Street 2, +371 64153169, +371 29189707, Limbaži Municipality, +371 64024033, +371 29416661, Kārļi, Drabeši rural territory, Amata Municipality, [email protected], www.visitligatne.lv [email protected], www.birinupils.lv +371 26165298, [email protected], www.karlamuiza.lv (catering to be announced in advance) | Amata Municipality Tourism Information Centre | Creative Workshop “Ezeriņi”, stone proceesing, Kumadas Street 2, Ieriķi, Amata Municipality, “Ezeriņi”, Stalbe, Stalbe rural territory, Pārgauja | Hotel “Melturi” +371 64119024, +371 28681083, [email protected], Municipality, +371 26371928, [email protected], Melturi, Drabeši rural territory, Amata Municipality, www.amata.lv www.ezerini.lv +371 64129467, +371 29267224, [email protected]
| Cēsis Tourism Information Centre | Holiday house “Vējiņi”, “Vējiņi”, Straupe | Resort hotel “Jonathan SPA Estate” Cēsis, Pils Square 9, +371 64121815, +371 28318318, rural territory, Pārgauja Municipality, +371 29354189, Amatciems, Amata Municipality, +371 25606066, [email protected], www.tourism.cesis.lv [email protected], www.pazemesezeri.lv (also [email protected], camping “Paegļi”) www.jonathanspahotel.com | Valmiera Tourism Information Centre Valmiera, Rīgas Street 10, +371 64207177, | Brewery “Valmiermuižas alus” and Beer Kitchen | Baltic Wildlife +371 28808440, [email protected], http://visit.valmiera.lv/ G Dzirnavu Street 2, Valmiermuiža, Valmiera rural territory, [email protected], www.balticwildlife.eu Burtnieki Municipality, +371 20264269 (tours in the | Pārgauja Tourism Information Point brewery), [email protected], www.valmiermuiza.lv “Ezeriņi”, Stalbe, Stalbe rural territory, Pārgauja G | AdventureRide Pērle 1, Alderi, +371 29269559, Municipality, +371 26620422, [email protected], www.adventureride.eu [email protected], www.pargaujasnovads.lv
www.entergauja.com OBJECTS
Vicinity of Velnala Cave in Krimulda 24.81129, 57.15042 Primeval valley of the River Gauja with a scenic sandstone outcrop from the other side of the river, and a view from the top of the cliffs. Sunshine over the cliff at sunset.
Sigulda Local Skiing Track 24.83864, 57.15958 Since the slope of primeval valley of the River Gauja has been deforested, photos can be taken both on foot, and from the cable car. Best views are granted before noon. Sigulda Cable Car 24.84558. 57.16448 Views over the primeval valley of the River Gauja from the only cable car in Latvia. Castle of Livonian Order in Sigulda 24.84896, 57.16681 An excellent view over the primeval valley of the River Gauja and Turaida Castle. Mound Paradīzes (Gleznotājkalns) 24.86578, 57.17513 View over the primeval valley of the River Gauja northward during the whole day and towards Turaida Castle. Sunshine playing beautifully over the landscape at sunset. Turaida Museum Reserve Dainu Hill offers beautiful sights towards Turaida Castle, Turaida Lutheran Church, manor houses. One of the most impressive views over the primeval valley of the River Gauja is offered from the tower of Turaida Castle. take photos of the culture landscape, and species of Waterfalls of River Meldrupīte 25.16930, mushrooms and insects. Primeval valley of the River 57.20811 Brasla Facilitated place with three waterfalls. Fish jumping The Old Town of Cēsis Large number of sandstone outcrops over the waterfalls during the migration of salmon-like Among the few places in Latvia, demonstrating medieval in the river section from Brasla water fish. Illuminated park in the dark evenings. reservoir till its mouth with the River build-up elements and medieval street planning Gauja. Beautiful views, especially from Valley of the River Amata within a relatively small area. Excellent place to study the river. One of the most beautiful valleys of small rivers in architecture and its elements. Latvia with a large number of sandstone and dolomite Ērgļu (Ērģeļu) Cliffs 25.26032, 57.36058 Līgatne Nature Trails 25.01525, rock outcrops. Most precious landscapes towards/from Most monolith sandstone outcrop in the Baltic States. 57.24798 Ainavu Cliff, Ķaubju Rock and Zvārte Rock, as well as in Beautiful view over the primeval valley of the river. With a telephoto, pictures of several the section from Zvārte Rock to Veclauču Bridge. animals living in Latvia can be taken. Veselava Manor River Gauja between Cēsis and Līgatne Excellent manor premises from the 19th century with a Līgatne Village 25.03968, Most beautiful section of the river in terms of the restored master’s house and a park. 57.23348 number of sandstone outcrops and landscape sights. Industrial heritage hand in hand with Interesting views from the river. Various species of water Līču–Laņģu Cliffs 25.39306, 57.39311 man-made circumstances —the valley birds, including the kingfisher. A place where close to a settlement there is the wild of the rapid River Līgatne and sandstone Vicinity of Āraiši nature demonstrating active geological processes outcrops. — erosion, suffusion. Large outcrop with specific One of the few places, where very different heritage geological forms. Historic build-up on objects are located — Āraiši Lake Fortress, ruins of the Skolaskalns and Rīgaskalns in Livonian Order Castle, Drabeši Manor, Āraiši Windmill, Valmiera Līgatne 25.04043, 57.23129 and Zviedru Pine — within a relatively small area. The tower of St Simon’s Church of Valmiera and the top Cultural environment of the workers in of Mound Valterkalniņš offers beautiful views over the Views in the vicinity of “Ozolkalns” (25.22259, 19th century. The only one of such type old town. Magnificent landscapes are seen near Kazu 57.29462) and “Žagarkalns” in Latvia. Rapids, the bridge over Gauja, and Livonian Order Castle Excellent views over the primeval valley of the River ruins. The steep banks of the River Gauja have been Ānfabrika Cliffs 25.04628, Gauja from the skiing tracks (the trees and their leaves inspirational to many artists. Here one can watch the 57.23087 do not cover the view over the primeval valley). A beautiful view from the cliff and its most beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Cīrulīšu Nature Trails 25.22035, 57.3013 viewing platform over the historic village Liepas Ellīte 25.42749, 57.38426 On the slope of the valley wall of the River Gauja — an of Līgatne Paper Mill. Fish ladder on the Extraordinary geological formation for Latvia — atypical oxbow lake with bluish, perfectly clear water, which is River Līgatne, where the migration of arches, caves, and rare suffusion and erosion forms. salmon can be photo-shoot in autumns. like a mirror to the Cīrulīšu Cliffs (also Spoguļklintis or the Mirror Cliffs). Sietiņiezis Cliff 25.38641, 57.42784 Ķūķu Cliffs 25.10600, 57.27465 Nearby — nice pine forests, view towards the primeval A viewpoint with a magnificent landscape Lake Ungura 25.08447, 57.34023 valley of the River Gauja. The outcrop is not homogenous of one of the largest sandstone outcrops Largest lake of Gauja National Park with landscapes of — there are interesting geological forms, site of the in Latvia and Ķūķu Rapids. Particularly nearby vicinity. single bee colonies. eye-catching in autumn or winter, when frozen waterfalls are formed here. Ungurmuiža Manor 25.08593. 57.36296 Lake Vaidavas 25.27024, 57.44774 Beautiful sights at sunrise. A particularly scenic place. Park with old oaks with Steep banks covered with wood and such objects like interesting species of polypores. Suitable place to Vaidava Hillfort, spring, etc.
TAV O !