On the left bank of the ancient Gauja River valley, between the Paparžu ravine and the ravine along which the Sigulda-Turaida road passes through the valley there are the ruins of a castle built by the Order of the Brethren of the Sword.  Construction on the castle began in 1207, and three decades later, in 1236, the castle was rebuilt for the needs of the Livonian Order.  The Sigulda Castle suffered much damage during wars in the late 16th and early 17th century.  During the Great Northern War, it was burned down and never restored.  What is there today is the south-western segment of the castle's convent building, as well as the tower of the main gate.  Beyond that is the internal forecastle, where there is an open-air stage for the annual Sigulda Opera Music Festival and other public events.  There are also impressive views of the ancient Gauja River valley, Krimulda and Turaida.  Reconstruction of the ruins is currently ongoing, and after the work is completed a second tower on the left side of the stage will be available to visitors.  The plan is to install crossings around the walls of the convent building.  Presently the ruins are available on a 24/7 basis and free of charge, but after the restorations are completed in 2012, admission will be charged.

Known as Alšvanga in the past, this place was mentioned for the first time in 1231 in an agreement that was signed between the deputy legate of the pope in Rome and the Courlandian tribes of the region.  The Livonian Order ruled the territory until 1561, and from 1573 until 1738 the order’s castle belonged to the von Schwerin dynasty from Pomerania.  It during the rule of this aristocratic family that a stone church was built in honour of Archangel Michael, and local residents began to convert to Catholicism.  Alsunga became the Catholic centre for all of Kurzeme, and local residents became known as the Suiti (from the Schwerin suite).

For nearly 400 years, Alsunga has been the historical centre of the Suiti territory.  This is Latvia’s most conservative region and is widely known with unusual songs, colourful folk costumes and various folk traditions and beliefs.  The Suiti have their own dialect, foods and many other things that have been long since abandoned or forgotten elsewhere in Latvia.  The religious has commingled with the folk here in one unique whole.  The Alsunga District covers 191 km2 and has some 1,500 residents.

Viens no iespaidīgākajiem nacionālā parka pilskalniem, kura piekājē atradusies senpilsēta. Arheoloģisko izrakumu gaitā te atrastas kuršu senlietas. Tiesa, mežs un biezais augājs traucē uztvert šī nozīmīgā arheoloģijas pieminekļa patiesos apjomus un formu. Uz pilskalnu vasarās ved izpļauta taka. Ja esat Žemaišu Kalvarijas pusē un atliek brīvs brīdis, tad savā maršrutā var iekļaut arī šo apskates objektu.

The Krimulda Castle was built in the latter half of the 13th century.  It was located where the right bank of the ancient Gauja River valley is split by the deep Vikmeste ravine.  The castle was owned by the council of archbishops from Rīga, and it was an impressive structure with a large interior courtyard and a defensive wall that was 1.5 m thick.  The Swedish military blew up the castle when retreating in 1601.  Today the castle hill is forested, and only a small fragment of the castle wall can still be seen.  It is near the ruins that you will find the Sigulda aerial tram and the Krimulda serpentine road – the only object of its kind in the Baltic States.

You can visit the workshop, watch the craftsman at work, try your own hand at the process, and purchase clay objects, including garden ceramics. There is also a lovely garden to view.

The saloon is on the edge of the Murjāņi-Valka road (A3) in a two-story log building with a terrace. The interior design of Mazais Ansis fits the aura of a massive wooden structure and it is possible to look at old times’ instruments, household goods and harnesses. There is also a very valuable wooden wheel, which is one of the very few in Latvia. The saloon offers a sauna, a location for campfires and a children’s playground. It works with local farmers and manufacturers.

Latvian cuisine: Valmiera salad, boiled tongue, grey peas, farmer’s breakfast, cold soup, filet of pike, roast lamb, grilled pork, stacked rye bread, strawberry crème with jam, rye bread, herbal teas.

Special foods: Beef filet with potato pancakes.

This section of the Forest Trail leads through the entire Gauja National Park and gives an opportunity to see all the most beautiful places and sights of this national park of more than 100 km. Gauja National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Latvia. The ancient valley of the River Gauja is the deepest river valley in the Baltic states. The banks of the River Gauja reveal colourful sandstone outcrops, which are reflected in the water. The sights are most wonderful in springtime, when bird cherry trees are in full bloom, and in autumn, as the trees turn red and yellow. The ancient valley of the River Gauja has a distinctive terrain relief that can fluctuate by up to 80 m. The largest part of the road leads through forest paths, along the river, and exits the woods in Līgatne and Sigulda.

Almost half of the park is covered by forest. Gauja National Park is known for the great diversity of specially protected forests, featuring herbaceous spruce forests, slope and ravine forests, as well as mixed broadleaf forests.

The tour starts at Jaunmokas Castle estate, where you will also find the Forest Museum. The pride of the castle is its unique painted tile stove (beginning of the 20th century) made of 130 painted tiles featuring 50 different views of the cities Rīga and Jūrmala. The Forest Trails runs along smaller tracks through the Austrumkursa Uplands, the valley of the river Slocene, along Lake Sekļa and Lake Jumprava to finally reach the town of Tukums. Well, the town takes pride in its pots, planters and flower beds with blooming roses along its streets. Next, the route meanders through forests to the demanding hillock of Milzkalns and Lake Valguma, where you will find the barefoot trail and a secluded art space within the woods. The Forest Trail continues to make a stopover at the Ķemeri National Park. The park is dedicated to protection of wetlands, since it is home to one of the largest marshlands of Latvia – the Great Ķemeri bog. As to the town – Ķemeri – it is the former balneological and sulphur springs resort. The tour ends in the village of Bigauņciems, where the Forest Trail joins with the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (E9 European long distance path). Optionally, one can take a detour along the Lake Sloka trail with its bird-watching tower or pay a visit to the “Forest House” – the visitor’s centre of the Ķemeri National Park.

The Dzīļu bakery in Malnava is a symbol of Krāslava and it is located next to the Malnava manor park. The lady of the house prepare hearty Lettigalian dishes and other country goodies. In the bakery the owner bakes different types of bread, for example, rye-bread, sweet-and sour bread, as well as makes cakes on pre-order. She also offers to groups and families to bake bread, pies, cakes or pizzas together. The tasting and Latgalian dishes in nowadays’style. A walk around the park of Malnava manor and stories about the white gate. Local bread is famous in Kārsava. The bakery offers brunch on weekends, as well as markets of local crafts and other products.
Latvian cuisine: Lettigalian bacon, pearl barley porridge with side dishes, potatoes stuffed with bacon and onions, sautéed vegetables with meat, berry bread, tea with honey.
Special foods: Local Dzīļi bread with bran, raisins, cranberry jam and linen seed.

This park is in a region of hillocks in the Karula highlands, and Lake Ähijärve is at its centre. The park offers a cultural environment of small farms, and it was set up to protect the unique cupola-shaped hillocks of the area. Main attractions: Scenic Lake Ähijärv (176ha), Rebasemõisa Tornimägi hill (137.8 m above sea level), undulating landscapes.