Day 1 Riga
Arrival in Riga. Sightseeing in Riga.
Pick up the bicycles in Riga Old Town.
Accommodation in a hotel in Riga.
Day 2 Riga - Strenči - Valmiera
Breakfast.
Cycle from the hotel to Riga Central Train Station.
Take the train: Riga – Strenči (~2.40 h)
Cycling: Strenči – Valmiera (70% tarmac, 30% gravel road).
Practical information
- En route: Strenči Town and Brenguļi brewery with a beer garden. In Valmiera: the Valmiermuiža brewery, the Regional Research Museum, the Ruins of the Livonian Order Castle, St. Simon`s Lutheran Church, the ruins of Riga gate.
- Overnight: in Valmiera.
Day 3 Valmiera - Sietiņiezis - Ērģeļu cliffs - Cēsis
Breakfast.
Private transfer: Valmiera – Sietiņiezis.
Visit the beautiful Sietiņiezis white sandstone cliffs.
Hiking: Sietiņiezis – Ērģeļu cliffs
En route you will see the Ērģeļu red sandstone cliffs by the River Gauja.
Practical information
- Road surface: Small forest or country trails, gravel roads, wooden staircase at Sietiņiezis and Ērģeļu Cliffs.
- Difficulty level: medium
- Danger points: Some staircases and river slopes in the ancient valley of Gauja may be slippery in damp conditions, spring and winter. Be careful on the Ērģeļu Cliffs!
- Good to know! There are no shops or places to eat in this section, so it is necessary to take lunch boxes.
Private transfer Ērģeļu cliffs – Cēsis (those who wish, can hike further till Cesis, ~8 km)
Free evening in Cēsis. Attractions include the historical centre, impressive Livonian Order Castle and St. John's Lutheran Church.
Bicycle transfer to Cesis.
Overnight stay in Cēsis.
Day 4 Cēsis - Līgatne
Breakfast.
Canoeing from Cēsis to Līgatne (4–5 h) which is one of the picturesque parts of the River Gauja, where sandstone banks are visible.
Bicycle transfer will be organised from Cēsis to Līgatne.
Cycle from the river to the guest house in Līgatne.
Free time for lunch in Līgatne.
In the afternoon we suggest exploring Līgatne ancient paper mill village and the Lustūzis, as well as walking along the Līgatne Nature Trails (~5.5 km), where you can watch local wild animals and enjoy the ancient valley of the River Gauja.
Overnight stay in Līgatne.
Day 5 Līgatne - Sigulda
Breakfast.
Cycling: Līgatne – Sigulda.
Visit Satezeles castle hill, Kraukļu cliff and Paradīzes Hill with excellent views to the ancient valley of the River Gauja.
Overnight stay in Sigulda.
Day 6 Sigulda
Breakfast.
Day in Sigulda. You can either hike or cycle along Sigulda and Turaida. Visit the Sigulda castle ruins, Gutman’s Cave, Turaida Museum Reserve, with the Castle museum, observation tower, history museum and sculpture garden.
Option 1: Hiking Sigulda Centre – Gutman’s Cave – Turaida – Sigulda (~10 km).
Option 2: Cycling: Sigulda – Turaida – Krimulda – Sigulda (~30 km, forest trails, gravel road and tarmac).
Overnight in Sigulda.
Day 7 Sigulda - Riga
Breakfast.
Take the train Sigulda – Riga
Free time in Riga.
In the evening return the bicycles.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 8 Riga
Breakfast.
Departure.
