Река

The Vecročupe river flows out of the artificial Vaide pond.  It was created by blocking the Vaide and the Kukšupe rivers.  This happened during the Soviet occupation, when forestry people decided to establish a fishing pond and an area for recreations.  A wooden pergola has been installed at the pond, and there is an information stand, as well.  On the northern shore of the pond is the Vaide cemetery, which dates back to 1928 and has interesting wooden crosses.

Небольшая речушка, отличающаяся глубокой, но широкой долиной, которую пересекает дорога Вецумниеки – Илуксте. Название Вилкупе связано с амбициозным планом Курземского герцога Екаба о соединении бассейна рек Даугавы и Лиелупе. Работы, связанные с соединительным каналом, начались, но проект так и не был полностью воплощен в жизнь. В этом плане Вилкупе отводилась роль одной из составных частей канала. В этой связи стоит подумать о масштабе идей и творческих инновациях человека средневековья. Фрагмент канала отмечен и подлежит осмотру на расстоянии неполных 4 км от населенного пункта под названием Вилкупе.

One of the most beautiful areas along the Venta River and its tributary, the Šķērvelis River. The river valleys and gullies along them are quite deep, and dolomite and sandstone cliffs can be spotted here and there. There are also rapids on the river. The largest cliffs in Kurzeme – the Ātraiskalns and Gobdziņi cliffs – can be seen on the banks of the Venta. The Lēni Catholic Church is near the restricted area. There are no tourist elements in the restricted territory at this time. The Venta is a popular destination for water tourists, however, from Nīgrande to Kuldīga.

The Brasla River flows through a lovely valley that is approximately 300 m wide and up to 30 m deep. It is near the Inčukalns-Valka highway. The river has among the most beautiful rapids in the country, with mighty cliffs (the Brasla cliffs) that can be seen at nearly every curve in the river (except along the lowest reaches of the river). During the winter, various unusual frozen waterfalls can be seen in some of the cliffs, including the Krauļukalns cliff and the Jāņavārti cliff. On the left bank of the Brasla, opposite the Brasla fish farm, there are the Aņīte cliffs -- a series of sandstone cliffs that are 1 km long. The cliffs are between 2 and 35 m in height, and the sandstone cliffs are separated by ravines. On the right bank of the Brasla, there are major cliffs such as the Vāršavu cliff, the Kraukļukalns cliff, the Jāņavārti cliff, the Slūnu cliff, the Virtaka cliff and the Buļi cliff. How can you best learn about them? Boat down the river from the aforementioned highway or even from Straupe, which is further upstream. An alternative is hiking down the right bank of the river, though please take into account that the terrain is fairly extreme, and you are going to have to think about what to do when you arrive at the place where the Brasla River flows into the Gauja.