From Līgatne to Līgatne Nature Trails

Best time to go

April–October. The route can be enjoyed on beautiful winter days with a few snow as well, since the paths and forest roads are not cleaned from snow. During autumns, a beautiful view over the River Gauja, its tributaries and sandstone outcrops are seen, which are covered in leafage during summers.

Route

Līgatne Tourism Information Centre – Dārza iela – Gaujas iela – Gaujasmala – Līgatne Ferry Crossing – Līgatne nature trails – Dārza iela – Līgatne Tourism Information Centre.

Distance

~13 km (excluding Līgatne nature trails). ~7km if going directly to the nature reserve. Check PDF for the longer and more beautiful route!

Duration

Including visit to Līgatne nature trails — one day.

Difficulty level

Easy.

Road pavement

Asphalt, forest roads, paths, gravel roads.

Starting point/ destination

Līgatne Tourism Information Centre.

Way marking

None.

Distance to Riga

Public transportation

A bus runs from Augšlīgatne to Līgatne (check the timetable beforehand). Augšlīgatne can be reached by train (railway line Riga–Valka) which runs from Riga to Līgatne five times per day.

Worth knowing!

Suitable footwear and a local map is needed. Navigation devices might be useful. Check the working hours of Līgatne nature trails beforehand. The section from Līgatne Ferry Crossing till Gūdu Cliffs curves mainly along the riverside of Gauja, leading along paths of local anglers. Since strong bank erosions are observed, watch your feet when walking closer to the river. At the mouth of the River Biemupīte with Gauja following stronger rain, one shall walk slightly upstream to cross it easily. Walking outdoors is at one’s own risk. Emergency services: 112.

Recommendation

The route can be merged with a hiking trip to Sigulda.

1. Līgatne Tourism Information Centre

Located in the former guard house of Līgatne Paper Mill, erected in 1889. Later it accommodated apartments and a post office. In 2010, tourism information centre was established here. During reconstruction, inscriptions dating back to 1889 and left by the carpenter were found.

2. Līgatne Paper Mill

3. Līgatne Village

Līgatne village has been granted the status of a culture monument. Līgatne Tourism Information Centre offers excursions around the historical centre of the village revealing the social life model of workers and administration at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. The historic part of the village in Skolaskalns and Rīgaskalns have been restored by reconstructing the houses and environment. A place that cannot be found elsewhere in Latvia.

Pay attention!

Alley of oaks alongside the Gaujas Street is a place to study moss and lichen.

4. River Līgatne (Līgate)

The origin of the 31 km long river is in the hilly terrain of Mežole. Not for nothing it is called the most rapid tributary of the River Gauja, which forms an explicit valley (beneath the road A2 Riga-Veclaicene) with 45–60 m high banks with a lot of sandstone outcrops. The power of the current and the clean water were preconditions to establish a paper manufacturing plant in 1816 in the lower reaches of the river, based on which the later Līgatne Paper Mill was developed.

5. Mound Remdenkalns

Upper part of the left bank of River Līgatne, which accommodates the typical build-up of Līgatne Village — the multi-apartment wooden barrack type residential buildings for the manual workers.

6. Fāle House

Guest house of the director of Līgatne Paper Mill; erected in 1914 in a construction style typical in Switzerland.

7. Līgatne Ferry Crossing

The only ferry crossing of the River Gauja still functional nowadays and the only of river crossings of such type in the Baltic States. It consists of two wooden boats placed parallel and joined with a common plank deck, following the principle of a catamaran.

Pay attention!

In the vicinity of the crossing, spindle is found in autumn in beautiful colours. Behind the crossing, there are small areas of dry grasslands. Further off the riverside — a lot of wild mushrooms can be found.

8. Jumpravu Rock

Sandstone outcrop on the left bank of the River Gauja, 1.2 km downstream of Līgatne Ferry Crossing and 0.9 km of the visitor centre at Līgatne nature trails. Located on roadside with a beautiful view over the curves of the River Gauja. Only a small part of the outcrop adjoins to the river. The rest of it runs far into the forest like a steep and rocky slope, where its feet are washed by the waters of a brook.

Pay attention!

Moss — great-scented liverwort — is seen closer to the water, at the feet of the rock.

9. Katrīna Rock (Nāru Cliffs)

Around 200 m long and up to 15 m high scenic (slowly overgrowing) outcrop in a sharp curve of the right bank of the River Gauja, formed by the reddish sandstone from Gauja suite. A 4.5 m wide and 4 m deep cavity is made by the current at its lower part. The cliff is subject to active formation of ravines. The path leading along the left bank of the River Gauja runs opposite of the Katrīna Rock.

Pay attention!

Those more careful might be lucky and spot the hazel grouse.

10. Gūdu Cliffs (also Gaviļu, Tālskatu Cliffs)

A slope around 0.5 km long, explicit, rich in outcrops and forests on the right side of the primeval valley wall of the River Gauja (height 13–20 m); its ca. 13 m high parts run into the river shaping a very scenic sandstone outcrop from the yellowish Gauja suite. The current has washed out a large gallery. The path leading along the left bank of the River Gauja runs opposite of the Gūdu Cliffs.

11. Līgatne nature trails

One of the most popular nature-educational tourism sites in Gauja National Park. Large areas of fencing have been established on the banks of the primeval valley of the River Gauja and its tributaries, where the conditions are similar to those in wildlife. Here one can see the wild animals of Latvia — stags, elks, roe deer, wild boar, bears, foxes, lynx, and two species of birds. There is a dense network of hiking trails and a paved cycling route, which is transformed into a cross-country skiing track in winter. At the beginning of trails, there is a modern visitor centre, where one can buy maps, find out relevant information, buy tea or coffee, sweets, or souvenirs. Līgatne nature trails are the best example of such type in the Baltic States to watch local wild animals.

12. Kangarītis

The highest point on the roadside of Dārza Street, which origins from the left slope of primeval valley wall of the River Gauja. Once a pastureland for cows. Broad view towards the primeval valley of the River Gauja.