Primeval valley of the River Brasla

Best time to go

April-September, but paddling is possible from early spring floods till late autumn.

Distance

~25 km (Brasla) + 15 km (Gauja).

Duration

Brasla 5–6 h, Gauja 3–4 h depending on the motivation and skills of paddlers.

Difficulty level

When the water is low — easy. At high floods — moderate.

Vertical drop of the river

For the whole section on Brasla ~16.7 m, average ~2.0 m/km.

Starting point / Destination

Straupe, Kaijciems Road over the River Brasla. Optional: bridge over the road Inčukalns–Valka (A3). Upstream of the bridge (left bank), there is a parking lot and information stands — a place to park your cars and get ready for the trip.

Since there is no vehicular access to the place where Brasla mouths the River Gauja, the trip shall be continued on the River Gauja to Sigulda (+15 km), or an accommodation shall be sought for (mouth with the River Gauja).

Canoes

Canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, etc.

Distance to Riga

55 km.

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!

Any damage to sandstone outcrops and related habitats (drawing, making caves, trampling, destruction of vegetation, etc.) is an irreversible damage to the nature, and is subject to administrative liability. Outcroppings of rocks on the River Brasla are protected geological nature monuments. The activity is at one’s own risk. There are five accommodation sites in the section from Straupe to road A3. Emergency services: 112.

Recommendation!

The route can be started in Rozula as well, but in such case it will take 2 days with accommodation in Vējiņi.

1. Lielstraupe Castle

2. Vējiņi Underground Lakes

3. Primeval valley of the River Brasla

The primeval valley of Brasla starts at Straupe and ends where the river flows into Gauja. From Straupe to Brasla water reservoir its primeval valley reaches a depth of 15 m, while from there on to its mouth with Gauja (less affected section) stretches a “canyon” up to 30 m deep and 300 m wide. The deepest section of the primeval valley was shaped by the melting waters of a glacier 12,000 years ago. This is among the most beautiful river sections in Latvia, where the reddish and yellowish sandstone outcrops from Gauja suite are seen.

4. Podnieku Rock

5. Brasla water reservoir

6. Garais Rock of Aņīte

Around 400 m long and 7 m high sandstone outcrop on the slope of the southern bank of Brasla water reservoir. Part of it lies under water.

7. Varšavu Rock

Around 90 m long and 4–7 m high sandstone outcrop on the right side of the primeval valley wall of the River Brasla, opposite of the dam of Brasla water power station. It is located 20–50 m off the water reservoir, and part of it is covered in thick leafage of trees.

8. Krauļukalns Rock

9. Vidējais Rock of Aņīte

Around 100 m long and up to 10 m high sandstone outcrop on the left side of the primeval valley wall of the River Brasla (not exactly on the river), opposite of the fish breeding farm. If looked at from the right bank and by paddlers — cannot be spotted due to the thick leafage.

10. Brasla Fish Breeding Farm

Breeding of salmon-like fish and lampreys, which are introduced to the natural water bodies of Latvia.

Pay attention!

One can hear the greenish warbler singing on the banks of the River Brasla. The greenish warbler is a rather rare species in Latvia, which nests on the steep banks of river valleys.

11. Jāņavārti

Around 150 m long and up to 12 m high cliff on the right side of the primeval valley wall of the River Brasla with a two-piece outcrop. During summers, the upper outcrop is not visible due to the thick vegetation. Here four caves are located — Trīs māsas or the Three Sisters and Pameita or the Step-daughter, while a beautiful frozen waterfall (Sarkanais leduskritums or the Red Ice-fall), which is few metres high, is seen in winter. Located opposite of the Brasla Fish Breeding Farm.

12. Augstais Rock of Aņīte

Around 200 m long and up to 35 m high outcrop (with a cliff) on the left side of the primeval valley wall of the River Brasla, behind the fish breeding farm. Due to the low angle, vegetation and if on a river (while canoeing) it might not be spotted.

13. Slūnu Rock

Around 170 m long outcrop on the right bank curve up to 30 m high, under high voltage lines. One of the most impressive and scenic outcrops of the valley of the River Brasla. On-going erosion processes and landslides are visible.

14. Melnais Rock

Around 180 m long and up to 12 m high sandstone outcrop, and its name probably origins from the velvet lichen which partly covers its surface. The rock is divided by lateral ravines, and a result of that individual sandstone projections have been created. Small caves at the feet of it. Above the Melnais Rock, there is a hillfort of the same name. On the opposite bank, there is the small Baltais Rock.

15. Virtaka Rock (also Sarkanais Rock)

Up to 15 m high sandstone outcrop on a ca. 300 m long section of the right side of the primeval valley wall. At the feet of it, there is a 2.5 m high, hollow-like cave. On the other bank of the river, there is the much smaller Zirņu Rock.

16. Buļu Rock

17. Primeval Valley of the River Gauja