River Gauja. From Valmiera to Līgatne

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Gauja is the most popular water tourism river in Latvia.

The main tourist magnets are the beautiful river banks rich in sandstone outcrops, easy accessibility of the river, dense network of accommodation sites for water tourists, the nature of the river (suitable for various paddlers), long water tourism traditions, and the status of a national park. In this section, the river flows through its primeval valley which is among the most impressive Baltic terrain forms; however, the scale of the valley cannot be enjoyed from the canoe, since the scenic views are covered in leafage and forests. The most dangerous place of the route — Ķūķu Rapids. Although not difficult to master, canoes are thrown over every year. The highest vertical drop is the section from mouth of the River Amata to Līgatne, and therefore many paddlers prefer only the section Cēsis–Līgatne.

	Best time to go Summer, while a paddling trip on a beautiful autumn day or spring won’t be less exciting.
	Distance 62 km. By sections: 1) Valmiera–Cēsis (Jāņarāmis) 33 km; 2) Cēsis (Jāņarāmis)–Līgatne 29 km.
	Duration Depending on the type of the canoe 2–3 days.
	Difficulty level Easy.
	Vertical drop of the river Slight, for the whole section ~10.4 m, average ~0.17 m/km.
	Starting point / Destination Stepping into the canoes on the right bank of the river, below Valmiera Music School and the Species Garden of Valmiera Museum. Pilskalna iela 3. Water tourist site at Līgatne Ferry Crossing.
	Canoes Canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, rafts. The last two – for slow paddling.
	Distance to Riga From the starting point 110 km, from destination — 70 km.
	Public Transportation Supporting team to transport canoes and paddlers to the starting point and from the destination is needed. Usually the canoe hire companies provide this service.
	Worth knowing! Swimming and walking on the riverbed is not recommended — dangerous! Life jacket on the river is recommended. Accommodation in Gauja National Park is allowed only in specially designated places. Be careful with the sandstone outcrops, which are protected nature monuments; and do not leave any trash behind! Motorized water vehicles are prohibited on Gauja. The activity is at one’s own risk. Emergency services: 112.
	Recommendation The route can be started more upstream — from Strenči or Vireši, and can be continued until the river flows into the sea.

	1. Valmiermuiža Brewery Visit to the brewery will reveal its history’s impact on the beer-making process, and how the live beer is made from natural raw materials. Everybody can taste the beer as it has once been done by the masters of manors. Excellent catering.
	2-8. Valmiera Prior to stepping into a canoe, it is worth visiting in Valmiera: 2. Foundations of Riga Gate, 3. St Simon’s Church of Valmiera, 4. Ruins of the Castle of the Livonian Order, 5. Valmiera Museum, 6. Valmiera bridge, 7. Ice basements, 8. Narrow gauge railway bridge.
	9. River Jumara (Imara) A 20 km long right tributary of the River Gauja with a typical valley.
	10. Nature education centre “Vecupītes” Close to it, there is a 2.8 km long nature trail introducing to the River Gauja and types of forests on its riverside, many of Latvian tree species, birds, insects, and traces of animals.
	11. Liepas Rock (Baltā Cliff) Around 400 m long and up to 16 m high outcrop on the left bank of the river.
	12. Sietiņiezis Cliff One of the largest white sandstone outcrops in Latvia. Maximum height of its cliff reaches 15 m, while the total length of the cliffs — around half a kilometre. Here one can see small caves and hollows, erosion ravines, and formations similar to poles. One of these is called the Velna papēdis (Devil’s Heel), while the small, but 10.5 m long cave — Velnala (Devil’s Cave). Pay attention! The polypodies, and common fragile fern grow on Sietiņiezis Cliff. The patina seen at some places is actually the velvet lichen. The ground cover of the forest reveals common moss like glittering wood-moss, red-stemmed feathermoss, goose-necked moss, and ostrich plume feathermoss.
	13. River Rauna Left tributary of the River Gauja. Below the road Riga–Veclaicene (A2) it flows through a deep and beautiful valley with sandstone outcrops on its banks.
	14. Kazu Rock Scenic. around 340 m long and up to 15 m high outcrop on the left bank of the River Gauja.
	15. Rāmnieku Bridge
	16. Ērģeļu (Ērgļu) Cliffs Most monolith sandstone cliff wall in the Baltics: length ~700 m, maximum height up to 22 m.
	17. River Strīķupe (Vaidava) Right tributary of the River Gauja. Suitable to watch migrating salmons in the autumn.
	18. Leisure park & camping site “Ozolkalns” A place offering one of the most beautiful views over the primeval valley of the River Gauja. Nearby Mound Ozolkalns, there are the Cīrulīši Nature Trails.
	19. Kvēpenes Hillfort North of the hillfort, there is the Kvēpene Secular Oak.
	20. Briedīšu Rock Small, around 4 m high sandstone outcrop on the left curve of the River Gauja.
	21. Primeval valley of the River Amata One of the deepest river valleys. At the deepest it reaches ~50 m, and its width ranges 1–1.5 km.
	22. Ēdernieku Cliffs Impressive and up to 40 m high slope on the right side of the primeval valley wall of the River Gauja, which is covered with forests and features several sandstone outcrops.
	23. Leimaņu Rock Around 4 m high reddish sandstones.
	24. Ķūķu Cliffs Around 500 m long and 43 m high. Two springs have washed out 10 m and 20 m long caves.
	25. Ķūķu Rapids The vertical drop of the River Gauja in the rapids amounts to 0.5 m/km. Slightly below these, opposite of the highest point of the cliffs, is the deepest whirlpool (ca. 7 m) of the River Gauja.
	26. Līņu Cliffs On the left bank of the river, opposite of Līņu Cliffs, is the Enkurakmens Rock.
	27. River Skaļupe A 16 km long left tributary of the River Gauja. Below the road Ķempji–Ieriķi, it flows through a deep valley with several lateral ravines.
	28. Spriņģu Rock Scenic and up to 600 m long and 21 m high outcrop on the left bank of the river.
	29. River Līgatne (Līgate) The most rapid tributary of the River Gauja forming a typical valley with 45–60 m high banks beneath the road Riga–Veclaicene (A2).
	30. Līgatne Ferry Crossing

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River Gauja. From Valmiera to Līgatne

1. Valmiermuiža Brewery

2-8. Valmiera

9. River Jumara (Imara)

10. Nature education centre “Vecupītes”

11. Liepas Rock (Baltā Cliff)

12. Sietiņiezis Cliff

13. River Rauna

14. Kazu Rock

15. Rāmnieku Bridge

16. Ērģeļu (Ērgļu) Cliffs

17. River Strīķupe (Vaidava)

18. Leisure park & camping site “Ozolkalns”

19. Kvēpenes Hillfort

20. Briedīšu Rock

21. Primeval valley of the River Amata

22. Ēdernieku Cliffs

23. Leimaņu Rock

24. Ķūķu Cliffs

25. Ķūķu Rapids

26. Līņu Cliffs

27. River Skaļupe

28. Spriņģu Rock

29. River Līgatne (Līgate)

30. Līgatne Ferry Crossing