This is a stretched-out territory from Valmiera to the Ape Administrative District, and its primary “axis” is the unregulated Gauja River valley with a dense web of old rivers, park-like meadows of oak trees on their banks, and stands of oaks and other broadleaf trees. Many rare and protected birds, including corn-crakes, woodpeckers, wood grouses and others live and breed here. This is also one of the most important places in Latvia in terms of where the deciduous tree hermit beetle lives.