Canoeing
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Down the Gauja River from Valmiera to Sigulda(Latvia, 2-4 days)The route: 83 km Fall of the river: 18 m Distance from Rīga: The starting point at Valmiera - 106 km. The finishing point at Sigulda - 51 km Best time to visit: Late May to early September Getting there: By bus on the Rīga-Valmiera Route, by train on the Rīga-Valmiera-Lugaži route (to the Valmiera station, embarking at Sigulda on the way back), by car down the Valmiera highway (A3) to Valmiera. |
A brief description of the routeThe Gauja is the most beautiful river in Latvia, with an impressive river valley that is up to 80 metres in depth. Mighty sandstone cliffs rise above the river. The Gauja is a calm river, with just a few small rapids. Leisure boating is perfect here. Between Valmiera and Sigulda, the Gauja flows through the Gauja National Park, which was the first national park in Latvia (established in 1973). There are 20 well-appointed facilities for boaters on the banks of the river, with benches, tables, places for campfires, firewood, information stands and maps. Alongside the Gauja river, there are roads and paths from Valmiera to Sigulda, and the route is manageable on foot or by bicycle, too (see the bicycle route Cēsis to Valmiera).Note: Swimming in the Gauja river is permitted only at specific locations, because the river’s underground currents are very strong, and the bed has shifting sand. Points of interestAt Valmiera: St Simon’s Lutheran Church, castle ruins, a regional museum, the Luca hill, the Elki island, the steep banks of the river.Sietiņiezis: This is the most impressive white sandstone cliff in Latvia. A path is there for travellers. The Krēslinieki museum: The owners of the "Lejasbregži" homestead have set up a museum to feature the talents of chair-makers. Ceramics are on sale. The Ērģeļu cliffs: This is the mightiest monolith sandstone cliff ensemble in Latvia, 0.7 km long and up to 22 m high. Jāņarāmis: There was a river crossing place here in the 18th century, and now there are two bridges alongside one another. At Cēsis: Union Square, the old town, the Cēsis castle, the castle park, St. John’s Lutheran Church, a place where ancient jewellery is made, ice age nature trails. At Līgatne: Līgatne nature trails, Līgatne paper factory, the architecture in Līgatne etc. At Sigulda: The Turaida Museum Reserve, Gūtmaņa cave, the Krimulda Church, the Krimulda castle ruins, the Krimulda castle, the Velnalas cliffs, the aerial tram, the Sigulda luge and bobsled track, the Sigulda castle ruins, the New Sigulda Castle. The infrastructureDining: "Veselības bastions" at Bastiona iela 24 in Valmiera; "Vecpuišu parks" at L. Paegles 10 in Valmiera; "Solo" at Poruka iela 21a in Cēsis; "Aroma" at Lenču iela 4 in Cēsis; "Trīs draugi" at Pils iela 9 in Sigulda; "Lāču miga", Gaujas iela 22, Līgatne; "Elv" at Vidus iela 1 in SiguldaAccommodations: 13, 52, 58, 24, 26, 33, 98, 107, 138, 168, 173, 251, 525, 531, 543, 512, 513, 516, 705 |
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Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv
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