This is appropriate for active hikers who enjoy looking at nature and learning about cultural and historical environments.  The hike is down the valley of the most impressive river in the Baltic States – the Gauja, as well as the deep and ancient valley of one of its tributaries – the Amata.  Lovely Devonian sandstone cliffs rise above both sides of the rivers.  The Līgatne Paper Factory village is an outstanding example of industrial heritage at the European level, with a unique environment from the 19th and 20th century.  The Cēsis castle that is at the end of the route was once the mightiest Medieval fortress in Livonia.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

This company has, for the past 16 years, produced classical candies of honey, peppermint, ginger and buckthorn, as well as other products. It also offers juice made of the common stinkhorn mushroom – a medicinal substance well known in Latvian folklore. You can purchase the products that are on offer.

Ceļa, kas ved uz jūru – galā, redzami Latvijas piekrastei samērā reti skati. Ja palaimējas, šeit var novērot vietējos zvejniekus darbībā, kas joprojām iet zvejā. Krasta kāpās aplūkojamas vecas, pamestas un arī sagrieztas zvejas liellaivas un dažādi mūsdienu zvejniecībā izmantojami „darba rīki”.

The Sunset trail starts in the centre of Saulkrasti town and takes you to the White Dune. Saulkrasti town with its municipal rural territory, occupies a 17km long stretch of coastal land to the North from the river Lilaste and the lake Lilaste.

The White Dune stands on the right side of river Inčupe mouth. It is covered by old pine forest. The white, 18m high sand outcrop in olden times served as a landmark for fishermen. The White Dune formed as winds carried the sand from the beach over clay sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake. Some 150-200 years ago, the dune had been drifting as witnessed by several layers of soil buried within it. Local fishermen and farmers at Bātciems initiated afforestation of the drifting dunes. At that time, the 30m high dunes which are now covered with forest, were bare, shifting and even buried a farmstead. To speed up afforestation, mountain pines were planted. The White Dune was partly washed away in heavy storm in 1969, and 4-6m high precipice formed. Now the wind and sand have levelled out the dune surface, it has been fixed with willow-twigs or grown with forest where the largest pines are more than 170-190 years old. The pines are notable with their large trunks and branches, the scars obtained during their lifetime and the typical “crocodile skin” – the bark forms rhombuses resembling those of the reptile’s scales. Scots Pine (Pinus Silvestris) is one of the most common tree species in Latvia. It grows in dry, meagre sandy soil in dunes as well as in marsh. However, it does not stand overshadowing. Forest fires help pines to get rid of competitors as pine endures fire better than other trees because of its thick bark and high crown. The wood exudes resin and burned wounds close soon. Fire cleans space for seedlings of young pines. Pines can live 300-350 years.

Ground cover in dune forests is very sensitive. If the sparse vegetation is destroyed, not only the natural biodiversity and landscape is damaged, but also the dangerous shifting dunes can possibly “wake up”.

Embryonic dunes, White (yellow) dunes, Grey dunes and Wooded dunes are EU protected biotopes. Grey Dunes are protected by Latvian law as well.
A wooden trail with watching platform is built to protect the White Dune and to facilitate the sightseeing. In winter, a skiing trail in the vicinity of the White Dune is arranged.

The biggest ostrich farm in Latvia, located near Kuldīga, provides the opportunity to purchase healthy and valuable ostrich meat products and go on an excursion in the ostrich and goat farm.
 Catering services available.

Until 1724, the Cecina semi-estate belonged to the Hilsen dynasty.  When daughter Jadviga married Jans Šadurskis, the estate was recorded as the Malnava Estate in 1774.  Ownership of the estate changed hands several times.  The mansion is built in the style of Classicism with Baroque elements.  The granary is on one side of the yard, while the mansion is on the other side.  During agrarian reforms in the 1920s, the estate was one of the largest ones in Latvia, covering 12,400 ha.  The mansion was damaged during World War Ii, and the original interior design was lost during reconstruction.  Among other buildings, the granary, built in the style of Classicism during the first half of the 19th century, has been preserved, as have several other buildings.  The park of the estate has exotic bushes and trees, as well as two cement bunkers, one of which was briefly visited by Adolf Hitler.  The estate also has a vodka distillation facility where you will learn all about the process from antiquity to the present day.

This 1995 sculpture by Oļegs Skarainis is at the corner of Dinsberģa and Talsu streets in Dundaga, near the local dairy.  It is dedicated to the strong men of the town, including former Dundaga resident Arvīds Blūmentāls (1925-2006), who lived in Australia, was a great crocodile hunter (some 10,000 in all), and served as a prototype for Paul Hogan in the famous movie “Crocodile Dundee.”