A trip to Latvia with a local guide! We are going to walk three stages of Baltic Forest Trail, visit the most scenic parts of Gauja National park and finish the trip in the capital – Riga.
| August 21 | Meet in Riga airport |
| Transfer to Cēsis by public bus | |
| Visit the Cēsis castle | |
| August 22 | Hike along the Forest trail: Cēsis – Līgatne (26km) |
| Night in Līgatne | |
| August 23 | Hike along the Forest trail: Līgatne – Sigulda (24km) |
| Night in Sigulda | |
| August 24 | Hike from Sigulda to Turaida castle (medium, 14km, 350m+) |
| One more night in Sigulda | |
| August 25 | Hike along the Forest trail: Sigulda – Rāmkalni (19km) |
| Take the public bus to Riga | |
| Night in Riga | |
| August 26 | Relaxed day in Riga (Old Town visit + Art Nouveau architecture tour) |
| One more night in Riga | |
| August 27 | Train ride to the beach town of Jūrmala |
| Easy walk through the forest along the Baltic coast (6km) | |
| River cruise back to Riga | |
| Trip finale dinner | |
| August 28 | Return home |
Baltic Forest Hiking
The Forest Trail is a long distance hiking route, part of E11, in the Baltic States that leads through the most forested lands, regional, nature and national parks of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The route starts from the Polish – Lithuanian border near the town of Lazdijai, leads through Latvia, turning into Riga, and finishes in Tallinn, Estonia.
Name in Lithuania: Miško takas
Name in Latvia: Mežtaka
Name in Estonia: Metsa matkarada
The route is divided into ~ 20 km long one-day or two-day sections with accommodation and transport options. The trails are mostly flat, so these distances are easily covered by people who walk regularly.
Section 6. Līgatne – Cēsis
One of the most scenic parts of the Forest Trail stretches along the historic village of the Līgatne Paper Mill, passes Spriņģi Rock, curves along Skaļupe Trails and the Mythological Trail, stops at one of the most secret sites on this side of the Iron Curtain, the Soviet Bunker, then continues along Roči Nature Reserve, crosses Amata (the most beautiful and rockiest part of the river) and finally comes to Zvārtes Rock. Next, the Forest Trail runs along the high banks of Amata valley and follows the historic Cēsis–Riga “highway” (now a small rural/forest road with old mileposts) to Rakši, then ascends up the Vāļukalni hills and Ozolkalns, following along the River Gauja until it meets Cīrulīši Nature Trails. It comes to a stop at Gaujas street, but travellers may continue down the path for a further 2.8 km to Cēsis, spend the night there, and continue walking on the following day.
Section 5. Sigulda – Līgatne.
After passing through Sigulda, the Forest Trail follows the River Vējupīte to Mound Paradīzes, where a steep staircase leads down into the ancient valley of Gauja River and the ravine of River Vējupīte. It continues to wind down smaller paths through meadows, crossing small rivers whose banks reveal sandstone outcrops. The last six kilometres of this section follow a smaller path down Līgatne Nature Trails. As it draws closer to Līgatne, the Forest Trail moves up the hills of Gauja valley, before descending back down into the deep ravine of Līgatne River, where the village of the former Līgatne Paper Mill is located.
Section 4. Rāmkalni – Sigulda
Past “Rāmkalni”, the Forest Trail wanders up the steep banks of Gauja valley, passes through Gauja village and comes back down. Then it crosses river Lorupe and continues along the bends of river Gauja, passing one of the most spectacular outcrops of the river, the Velnala Cliffs, goes up to Ķeizarskats observation spot and circles down to Ķeizarkrēsls, adventure park “Mežakaķis” at Kaķīškalns and the Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track.
Sigulda
Sigulda Classic in Gauja national Park – the 12 km route offers everyone to enjoy the landscape diversity in the Gauja ancient Valley, which looks for interesting natural objects and sees little affected wildlife. Height difference 83 m, required time for cycling around 1.5 h.
Gutmannala – the largest and highest cave or grotto of Latvia and the Baltic. It’s also the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia. Goothanal is known as an ancient cult site. Inscriptions from the 17.gs remain on the cave. Here comes the legend of the Turaida Rose. The cave has a length of 18.8 metres, a width of 12 metres and a maximum ceiling height of 10 metres. The Gutmanis Cave was formed in the yellowish red sandstone rock of the Gauja entourage and formed as a result of several millennia of operation of the Gauja Stream and the underground spring.
Riga
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is not only the crown jewel of Latvia, but also of the Baltics. Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riga has more than 600 000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the Baltic States. Riga is also known as an architectural jewel – a city where you can see churches from the city’s origins, medieval buildings in the Old Town, unique examples of Art Nouveau, as well as wooden architecture that has survived the centuries and modern architectural jewels.
Riga was a major centre of the Hanseatic League, deriving its prosperity in the 13th–15th centuries from the trade with central and eastern Europe. The urban fabric of its medieval centre reflects this prosperity, though most of the earliest buildings were destroyed by fire or war. Riga became an important economic centre in the 19th century, when the suburbs surrounding the medieval town were laid out, first with imposing wooden buildings in neoclassical style and then in Jugendstil . It is generally recognized that Riga has the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.
Historic Centre of Riga – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Jūrmala
The widest sandy beach of the Gulf of Riga stretches from Dubulti to the Lielupe River. It is the main asset of the Jūrmala resort offering many beach cafés and different recreational possibilities. The coastal dune forests are permeated with a dense web of trails suitable for walking and stick-walking. The part of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route located between the beach of the Lielupe River and Jūrmala beach is part of the Ragakāpa Nature Park. From here, you can easily get back to Bulduri by taking Bulduri prospekts and the 5th line.
Accommodation
Hotel Katrina is located in central Cēsis, set in a building dating back from the beginning of the 20th century. It offers free Wi-Fi and free private parking on site. The modern guestrooms of the hotel feature extra long beds and flat-screen TVs. They include private bathrooms with hairdryer and selected shower amenities.
Zeit Hotel features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Līgatne. Offering a bar, the property is located within 3.3 km of Līgatne Nature Trails. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and room service for guests. Every room includes a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At the hotel all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels.
Located in the centre of Sigulda, City Center Kaķis B&B offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and leisure activities such as skiing and cycling. Gauja National Park is just a 5-minute walk away. Latvian and international cuisine is served in the bistro. City Center Kaķis B&B also features a pastry shop and a pizza parlour.
The stylish 3-star Superior Hanza Hotel occupies a beautifully renovated historic building, just a 7-minute walk from Riga’s Old Town. It offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Spa & Wellness facilities. All rooms at the Hanza are bright and come with wooden window shutters. Each has a work space and a spacious bathroom with a hairdryer.
Sign Up
The price of the trip is 600 euros per person. 150 euros paid up front to reserve the spot. Balance due by 1st of August. Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to the trip.
The price is for a person sharing a twin room. You can reserve a single room for additional 85 euros.
Members get a 25 euro discount.
The price includes transportation during the trip (train, bus), 7 nights of accommodation with breakfast and a professional guide.
Does not include airplane tickets.
Payments by bank transfer are accepted.
You can use the button below to reserve your spot / get more info about the trip or contact us by e-mail to info@valenciamountainenthusiasts.com