This part of the Forest Trail passes through the historical centre of Valmiera. In Valmiera you can visit St. Simon’s Church, the Ruins of the Livonian Order Castle and Valmiera Museum. We also suggest walking the barefoot trail in “Sajūtu Parks” (Park of Senses). After sightseeing in Valmiera, the Forest Trail goes through Atpūtas (Recreation) park, the beautiful pine forest and Baiļi winter ski centre. Further on you will walk along the River Abuls Trail, curving along the banks of the river until reaching the Brenguļi brewery built in an old Hydroelectric power plant. You can enjoy unfiltered and unpasteurised beer here. Further down you will enter unpopulated forest areas and the Northern Gauja protected landscape area.

The forests in Northern Gauja (“Ziemeļgauja”) are very diverse. There are old or natural boreal (northern) forests and marsh forests, oak forests, alluvial forests (formed on river sediments which periodically flood) and mixed oak, wych elm and ash forests along the river. The tour will end in Strenči Town.

This exhibition features the Pļaviņas hydroelectric power plant as a unique architectural building with unique engineering elements.  It is the largest producer of electricity in the Baltic States and one of the largest in Europe.  The exhibition speaks to the construction of the plant and major aspects of its operations.  There is a model of the plant, as well as various types of equipment that are used to ensure its operations.  Visitors will see a diver's suit, as well as various documents and photographs about the operations and reconstruction of the plant, the history of Aizkraukle, and the lives of people who worked at the plant.  Tours are available of the machine room of the plant, a look at the plant from a viewing platform, and a chance to learn more about the buildings as such.

If you enjoy an active lifestyle, then this tour is the perfect way to enjoy the heritage hidden in Gauja National Park, from several different perspectives. Cycling starts at Strenči and passes two local breweries at Brenguļi and Valmiermuiža with nice cafés and good beer. You will hike through beautiful forests and along the Sietiņiezis sandstone cliff towards Cēsis with its charming medieval Old Town. Canoeing takes place from Cēsis to Līgatne, which is one of the nicest parts of the River Gauja with its sandstone banks, remote farmsteads and old fashioned water-powered ferry. Līgatne historic centre is connected with the development of its paper mill. Here you can also visit local wine and handicraft producers located in one of the artificial caves typical of the area. Walk the Līgatne Nature Trails to see local wild animals in a forest setting. At the end you will cycle from Līgatne to Sigulda, which is one of the most popular tourist sights in Latvia. You'll see the Turaida and Sigulda medieval castles, Gutman’s Cave and other picturesque views.

This village is at the place where the Irbe (Dižirve, Īra) River flows into the sea, and it is on both shores of the river (sea side and land side).  The name of Irbe was recorded for the first time in a 1310 border agreement between the bishop of Kurzeme and the Rīga Dome Capitol.  The name of Lielirbe (Irvemūnde) was recorded for the first time in a document from an arbitration court in 1387.  At the end of the 19th century, the small port at Lielirbe was an active centre for the sale and transport of timber materials.  In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the largest number of sailing ships among villages on the western shore of Kurzeme was built there.  In 1939, the village had some 300 residents, more than 70 houses and a Baptist church which is now at the Ventspils Open Air Museum.  A narrow-gauge railroad passed through the village, which had a post and telegraph office, two grocery stores, an elementary school, a choir and a brass band.  Lielirbe was one of the largest villages to disappear after World War II.  Cultural historian Valda Marija Šuvcāne (1923-2007) was born in Lielirbe, and her daughter, Baiba Šuvcāne, is continuing her mother's work by writing important papers about life along the Livonian coastline.  By 2019, a bridge is to be reinstalled across the Irbe River.

Guest house "Ausmas" is located in Valka region, and can accommodate up to 30 people. Catering services are also available both on site and off-site. Guests have access to a wet sauna, as well as a sauna ritual with a skilled bather. The guest house organizes various events, as well as tours and groups of children. There is also an animal farm on the farm, where children can feed and love a variety of animals. The owners actively cooperate with the neighboring farms.

The owners of the guest house are home-grown producers who offer guests a variety of smoked meats, cheeses and homemade bread. Master classes are offered in both cheese tying and bread baking. It is possible to visit and organize tastings both with home-made products and with the offer of the surrounding farms.

This facility is on the southern shore of Latvia’s second-largest lake with a lovely view of it.  Lettigalian foods are prepared from local ingredients, some of which are grown on site.
Latvian cuisine: Cottage cheese pierogi and potato dumplings with cream sauce.