Gauja National Park: Ligatne - Amata River valley - Cesis

Recommended season:  May-September, particularly when leaves are changing colour in the autumn
Length:  ~30 km.  
Level of difficulty:  Medium
Road cover:  Paved roads (Līgatne, Skaļupe, Cēsis), gravel roads, earthen and forest roads and pathways.
Start:  Līgatne Tourism Information Centre
End:  Cēsis train station or bus station
Markings:  Orange or bright red rhomboids on tree trunks along the Amata River valley and between Krustkalni and Rakši.
Route:  Līgatne TIC-Spriņģu Street-Cēsu Street-Skaļupes-Veclauči-Amata River valley from the Veclauči bridge to the Zvārte cliff-Krustkalni-Rakši-Ozolkalns-Līgatnes Street-Gaujas Street-Lielā Līvu Street-Katrīnas Street-Lielā Skolas Street-Raunas Street-Cēsis train station
Distance from Rīga:  Start – 70 km; end – 90 km
Logistics:  This is a linear route with public transportation at both ends.  Bus services are available from Augšlīgatne (train station) to Līgatne (check schedules in advance!).  Bus services are also available between Līgatne and Skaļupe (check schedules in advance!) to reduce the route by 3.5 km.  
Alternatives:  You can continue from the Zvārte cliff down the Amata River valley to Kārļi (a difficult 9.5 km hike), then spending the night in or around Kārļi.  Then you can continue on to Rakši and Cēsis.  The route from Kārļi along the Amata River (3.5 km) can be extended to Melturi, where bus services are available.
Note:  Wear appropriate shoes and bring along a map, as well as, preferably, navigation equipment.  Observe all traffic rules.  Respect instructions at the edge of the Roči Forest reserve.  Dining facilities are found in Līgatne and Cēsis, there is a shop in Kārļi, and tenting facilities are available at the Zvārte cliff.
Points of interest:  Līgatne Paper Factory village, secret Soviet bunker in Skaļupes, the Kūķu cliff and the Amata River valley, the Zvārte cliff, the Rakši leisure complex, Ozolkalns leisure park, Old Cēsis, the Cēsis castle, the New Cēsis castle and St John’s Lutheran Church.

Certificates

Logo	Certificate name	Description
	Environmental protection Specially protected nature territories	Maršruts atrodas Gaujas nacionālajā parkā.