Canoe Holidays in Riga
The Gauja is the most beautiful river in Latvia, with an impressive river valley that is up to 80 metres in depth. Mighty sandstone cliffs rise above the river. The Gauja is a calm river, with just a few small rapids. Leisure boating is perfect here. Between Valmiera and Sigulda, the Gauja flows through the Gauja National Park, which was the first national park in Latvia (established in 1973).
There are 20 well-appointed facilities for boaters on the banks of the river, with benches, tables, places for campfires, firewood, information stands and maps. Alongside the Gauja river, there are roads and paths from Valmiera to Sigulda, and the route is manageable on foot or by bicycle, too (see the bicycle route CÄ“sis to Valmiera).
Note: Swimming in the Gauja river is permitted only at specific locations, because the river's underground currents are very strong, and the bed has shifting sand.
There are 20 well-appointed facilities for boaters on the banks of the river, with benches, tables, places for campfires, firewood, information stands and maps. Alongside the Gauja river, there are roads and paths from Valmiera to Sigulda, and the route is manageable on foot or by bicycle, too (see the bicycle route CÄ“sis to Valmiera).
Note: Swimming in the Gauja river is permitted only at specific locations, because the river's underground currents are very strong, and the bed has shifting sand.
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Itinerary / Highlights
1st day CÄ“sis or JÄņrÄmis - LÄ«gatneIn the morning (recomended at 10:00), individual arrival to the starting point at the Gauja river near CÄ“sis:
Option A
Boating: JÄņrÄmis & LÄ«gatne (~ 26 km, ~6,5 - 8 h) The most scenic stretches of the river with the Ä’rgļu cliffs and the KvÄ“pene hillfort, where one can see the oak-tree which is on the Latvian 5 Lats bank note. The mouth of the Amata river. The Ķūķu cliffs with rapids and the Spriņģu cliffs. The route ends at LÄ«gatne, where the river ferry still operates in summer.
Option B
Boating: CÄ“sis & LÄ«gatne (~ 17 km, ~4.5 - 6 h) Start with a walk along the nature trail near to CÄ“sis before the canoe tour and further as in option A.
Optional walking in the Līgatne nature trails (5,5km) watching wild animals, typical for the Baltic region, in open-air enclosures. Another trail (1,3km) leads through untouched nature scenery through the Paparžu (Fern) ravine. It is also possible to walk 1,3km by the river Gauja to the scenic Glūdu cliff.
Walking to the guest house, ca .20 minutes.
Overnight in the guest house LÄÄu miga at LÄ«gatne village.
2nd day LÄ«gatne & Sigulda
Breakfast.
Walk from the guest house to the river Gauja.
Canoeing: Līgatne - Sigulda (~21 km, 5 - 7 h). The river is not rapid, and the stream becomes even calmer approaching Sigulda. On the left bank, one can see the Katrīnas and Glūdu cliffs. Shortly before the end of the route, you will notice the red brick tower of the Turaida castle.
Individual departure.
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