40 km

RIVER . FROM LĪGATNE TO “RĀMKALNI”

River Gauja in spring

View of Palace from River Gauja River Gauja Photo: Baltic Pictures and Archive of Sigulda TIC

Description Distance Distance to Gauja is the most popular water ~40 km. Section 1: Līgatne Ferry Starting point - 74 km, destination – 40 tourism river in . The main Crossing–Sigulda 23 km, Section 2: km. tourist magnets are the beautiful river Sigulda–“Rāmkalni” 17 km. banks rich in sandstone outcrops, easy Transportation accessibility of the river, dense network of Duration Supporting team to transport canoes accommodation sites for water tourists, Two-day trip. and paddlers to the starting point and Day 1: Līgatne Ferry Crossing–Sigulda, the nature of the river (suitable for various from the destination is needed. Usually Day 2: Sigulda–“Rāmkalni”. the canoe hire companies provide this paddlers), long water tourism traditions, service. and the status of a national park. In Vertical drop of the river this section, the river flows through its Slight, for the whole section ~10 m, Worth knowing! primeval valley which is among the most average ~0.24 m/km. Swimming and walking on the riverbed impressive Baltic terrain forms; however, is not recommended — dangerous! Life the scale of the valley cannot be enjoyed Starting point 25.04528, 57.25441 jacket on the river is recommended. from the canoe, since the scenic views Water tourist site at Līgatne Ferry Accommodation in are covered in leafage and forests. A large Crossing. is allowed only in specially designated number of sandstone outcrops is seen in places (see www.gnp.lv/udensturistiem)! the first seven kilometres downstream Destination 24.65910, 57.12462 Be careful with the sandstone outcrops, from Līgatne. Fewer outcrops are in Leisure Park “Rāmkalni”. On the left which are protected nature monuments. the section from the mouth of the River bank of the River Gauja, near “Rāmkalni”, Motorized water vehicles are prohibited Brasla to Sigulda. there is a stop for water tourists, but the on Gauja. The activity is at one’s own risk. trip can be discontinued also on the right Emergency services: 112. Best time to go bank of the river, behind the bridge of Summer, while a paddling trip on a road Inčukalns–, where there is a Recommendation beautiful autumn day or spring won’t be sandy bank and it is convenient to pull The trip on the River Gauja can be less exciting. the canoes out of the river. started more upstream — from , Strenči, Vireši, and Difficulty level Canoes Easy. Canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, rafts. continued until the river flows into The last two — for slow paddling. the sea. SERVICE

| Līgatne Municipality Tourism Information Centre | Leisure Park “Rāmkalni” Līgatne, Spriņģu Street 2, +371 64153169, +371 29189707, “Vītiņkalni”, Inčukalns rural territory, Inčukalns Municipality, [email protected], www.visitligatne.lv +371 29100280, [email protected], www.ramkalni.lv | Tourism Information Centre Sigulda, Ausekļa Street 6, +371 67971335, [email protected], G | Baltic Wildlife www.tourism.sigulda.lv +371 28808440, [email protected], www.balticwildlife.eu

www.entergauja.com SIGHTSEEING OBJECTS

1 | Līgatne Ferry Crossing 25.04528, 57.25441.

2 | Jumpravu Rock 25.02872, 57.24986 Sandstone outcrop on the left bank of the River Gauja. Only a small part of the outcrop adjoins to the river. The rest of it runs far into the forest like a steep and rocky slope, where its feet are washed by the waters of a brook.

3 | Katrīna Rock (Nāru Cliffs) 25.01603, 57.253958 Around 200 m long and up to 15 m high scenic (slowly overgrowing) outcrop in a sharp curve of the right bank of the River Gauja. A 4.5 m wide and 4 m deep cavity is made by the current at its lower part.

4 | Gūdu Cliffs (also Gaviļu, Tālskatu Cliffs) 25.002935, 57.249901 A slope around 0.5 km long, explicit, rich in outcrops and forests on the right side of the primeval valley wall seen over a section of 600-800 m. the so-called crocodile skin bark. New wooden of the River Gauja (height 13–20 m); plank-ways are established on the upper part of its ca. 13 m high parts run into the 11 | River Dauda 24.88024, 57.18438 the cliffs. river. The current has washed out a Left tributary of the River Gauja with a canyon-like large gallery. ravine up to 40 m deep, which is rich in sandstone 19 | Velnala Cave of Krimulda 24.81129, outcrops. Dauda Ravine is located in the Nurmiži 57.15042 5 | Rock Launagiezis (also Glen Reserve. The 22.5 m deep (length of galleries — 35 m) Ērmaņu Rock) 24.97085, 57.25061 cave is formed in the yellow sandstone from Around 600 m long and steep slope 12 | Mound Sautas Gauja suite 8 m above the water table of Gauja. of the right side of the primeval valley An impressive rock pillar on the left side of the It is estimated to be around 10,000 years old and wall of the River Gauja covered with primeval valley wall of the River Gauja, enclosed forests. An approximately 250 m long created by a spring, which later disappeared and by the deep ravines of Rivers Sviķupīte and the cave partially fell in. section of the cliff faces the river. Nurmižupīte. The slopes of the mound are rich in various geological objects — sandstone outcrops, 20 | Pedestrian bridge over the River 6 | River Vildoga (also caves, and springs. Located in the Nurmiži Glen Gauja 24.80707, 57.14917 Jāņupīte) 831,24.95455, 57.24446 Reserve. Left tributary of the River Gauja with a deep ravine and a system of lateral 13 | Mound Paradīzes (Gleznotājkalns) 21 | Lorupe Ravine 24.80409, 57.13515 The River Lorupe drops vertically 12 m for every ravines, as well as an impressive 24.86578, 57.17513 vertical fall (ca. 10 m/km). One of the most scenic places in Sigulda, where the kilometre in its 11 km long course before entering left side of the primeval valley wall of the River Gauja Gauja. The water is cold due to the many “feeding” 7 | Elpju Rock 24.95311, is divided by the large Vējupīte Ravine. springs. 57.24421 Located behind the place where the 14 | River Vējupīte and Vējupīte Ravine 22 | River Runtiņupīte 24.76286, 57.15122 River Vildoga mouths with the River 24.87634, 57.17115 Right tributary of Gauja, which has shaped a deep Gauja. The ca. 9 m high and reddish Left tributary of Gauja; for ca. 3 km below Riga- ravine with sandstone outcrops. The 4.5 m long sandstone outcrop on the River Gauja Valka railway line the river flows through a deep Kubesele Nature Trail leads along its banks. is sort of a way marking for water ravine, and the relative vertical drop thereof tourists paddling further downstream reaches around 15-16 m/km. On the banks of 23 | Lielais (Runtiņa) Stone 24.76334, and looking for sightseeing objects. Vējupīte Ravine, there are several popular Sigulda 57.15171 tourism sites such as Kraukļu Ravine, Kraukļu Located where the River Runtiņupīte mouths 8 | Dagnes (Gančausku, Cave, Satezele Hillfort, and Pētera Cave. with the River Gauja. Maximum height is 2.5 m, Sūruma) Cave 24.95074, 57.24406 length — 5.3 m, width — 3.7 m. The volume of the Before entering the River Gauja, the 15 | stone is estimated around 25 m3. Out of a small Tildurga Brook has shaped a low sandstone outcrop near the stone, there flows a sandstone “canyon”. 16 | Bridge over the River Gauja powerful spring. 24.84098, 57.16562 9 | Rāmnieku Brook 24.90246, 24 | Katlapu Rock 24.77818, 57.14496 57.21678 17 | Piķenes Cliff 24.82708, 57.16081 A small sandstone outcrop on the left bank of the A small left tributary of the River Piķenes Cliff is covered in forests of slopes (with River Gauja. Gauja. The furthest northern border large oaks), which are protected habitats. The cliff of Nurmiži Glen Reserve; closed to is seen only partly from a canoe. 25 | River Loja (Loģe, Klinšupīte) visitors. 24.66275, 57.12509 Downstream of Loja, where its deep valley merges 18 | Velnala Cliffs 24.81179, 57.15047 24.89408, with the primeval valley of Gauja, beautiful sand 10 | River Sviķupīte The last and most impressive cliff wall of the 57.19217 outcrops on both banks can be observed. valley — around 15 m high; located on the curve of Left tributary of the River Gauja, at the right bank. The dark Velnala Cave of Krimulda the lower reaches of which there are 26 | Leisure Park “Rāmkalni” is seen in the middle of it. Above Velnala Cave, the Sviķupīte Outcrops, which are 24.65910, 57.12462 there are old and biologically valuable pines with

TAV O !