Exploring Gauja National Park, Latvia

At the shores of the Baltic Sea lies the green country Latvia - rich in natural diversity and cultural heritage, and at its northeastern part - Gauja National Park, established in 1973.

Right now Gauja National Park is on its way to EUROPARC Sustainable tourism destination certification.

Learn more about magnetic nature and cultural historical gems in Gauja National Park, Latvia, the best ways to discover them and tips and tricks to easily explore the national park.

Flora and Fauna of Gauja National Park

To truly explore the rich wildlife and terrain diversity, visitors should take a step, breathe in, touch the leaves and sandstone cliffs, and watch the kilometers long distances from the best viewpoints themselves.

Conservation efforts in Gauja National Park focus on preserving its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Nowadays generations can observe dramatic sandstone cliffs, caves, springs, and ravines formed over 350 million years ago.

More than half of the territory is covered with forests, reaching 57%, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, springs cover 3%, swamps 2% of the area, providing a living space for wildlife. Protected and rare species of vascular plants (93) and animals and birds (58) in Europe scale have found the national park as suitable habitats.

The very sensitive nature areas are extra protracted placing nature reserve areas. Learn about flora and fauna of Gauja National Park in a solo hike, or together with an experienced local guide or in Gauja National Park Nature Centre in a conversation with a nature expert.

Visitors can observe the wildlife at a safe distance for both animals and people in Līgatne Nature Trail. Spanning approximately 4–5 km through ancient river valleys, dense woodlands, and scenic ravines, these trails provide a unique opportunity to observe native animals in environments closely resembling their natural habitats.

Visitors can encounter a variety of species, including red deer, roe deer, elk, wild boar, brown bears, lynx, foxes, raccoon dogs, martens, hares, squirrels, and various birds of prey like eagle-owls and owls.

Recreation in Gauja National Park

Gauja National Park is a destination for all four seasons, thanks to wide opportunities of outdoor activities and the tight network of tourism and hospitality service providers and their thrilling offers. Be in the blooming, green, golden and white coloured nature of Gauja National Park by active outdoor adventures - hiking, cycling, canoeing and skiing the natural valley slopes.

Lonely Planet recommended long distance hiking route Forest Trail is zigzagging Gauja National Park in several sections. The park offers an extensive network of thrilling hiking trails. River Gauja is the park’s lifeline, meandering over 90 km through its territory with calm waters and gentle currents—ideal for both beginner and experienced paddlers about 230 days in a year. As you glide silently between forested banks, the earthy scent of pine and river mist fills the air, and towering red sandstone cliffs rise unexpectedly from the water’s edge—sculpted by millions of years and glowing warmly in the sun.

The sounds of birds, the splash of your paddle, and the occasional rustle of wildlife will accompany you all the way whether they are a couple hours, a whole day or several days. Around each bend, the landscape shifts: a quiet meadow, an old wooden bridge, or the distant silhouette of a medieval castle peeking on the valley tops.

Rent the kayaks and canoes from local service providers: Ozolkalns, Rāmkalni. Find a list HERE. More authentic ways to discover the beauty of nature is by flying as a bird 55 meters above scenic river Gauja with Zipline, taking a Cable car ride from the bank of the river to another one, flying in a vertical wind tunnel AERODIUM in the trees surrounding the site.

Nature contains amazing healing powers and people have learned how to use it. By walking the scenic trails you will experience a rush of joy and any other hormone of happiness. Let the nature healing materials touch your skin and soul.

For an authentic sauna ritual led by a pirts master in one of Ziedlejas Wellness complex: Wool, Glass and Smoke sauna. Enjoy pampering massages and healing mud treatments in Rehabilitation centre “Līgatne” and Rehabilitation centre “Krimulda”.

How to visit Gauja National Park

Travel smart and enjoy less crowded seasons by arriving in the park in off-seasons such as spring, autumn and winter.

The fall is an outstanding season when golden-yellow-red-green treetops can’t stop catching your attention. And local kitchens put local seasonal goods on the table. Suggested: Kārļamuiža Country Hotel Manor Kitchen and Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen.

Gauja National Park offers for its beloved visitors a wide variety of accommodations to regain energy for new adventures. From elegant and design hotels to cozy and sunny holiday houses, from nature surrounded and quiet campings to royal palaces.

Feel the centuries of nobility in Bīriņi castle and Mālpils manor elegant rooms and the surrounding parks. Enjoy a rest in Hotel Sigulda situated in Sigulda city centre. Looking for complete peace - stay in The Sweetesthome holiday house.

Dive into local culture and local tastes of Latvia

Starting your journey from the southwest part of Gauja National Park, stop in Rāmkalni to buy their produced natural, energizing treats made from local berries and fruits for the entire trip.

On arriving in Sigulda town, meet various craftsmen in Sigulda New castle quarter. See how a master is creating the Sigulda symbol - the walking stick that was traditionally crafted to aid in walking through the scenic and rugged terrain of the Gauja Valley.

Right in the quarter enjoy local and natural Sigulda Ice cream selection. Book in advance and put your hands in various masterclasses. After the practical and artistic activities, refill your batteries with a special menu in Aparjods restaurant, in an ethnographic style wooden building.

Līgatne town permeated by history and nature is notable with sandstone cliffs cellar caves created in the late 18th century, served as cool storage spaces for food and beverages, with over 300 caves still standing today. Nowadays visitors can enjoy pre-booked Līgatne Winery degustation paired with local snacks in a sandstone rock cave.

Mākoņi un Māls (Clouds and Clay), nestled in the heart of Gauja National Park near Sigulda and Līgatne, is a charming eco‑retreat and ceramics studio run by a local family in a beautifully constructed log‑home. Emphasizing harmony with nature, the site hosts clay‑firing workshops. It’s the perfect stop for visitors who want to experience sustainable Latvian craftsmanship, relax in scenic surroundings, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Gauja National Park.

Visit Mini Zoo Mežiņi on the northeast side of Gauja National Park and discover wool craftsmanship, preserving Latvia's rural farming heritage by showcasing rare domestic animals, notably the biovaluable Latvian Cukurvistiņa chicken breed. Here together with Latvian rural farm animals live are alpacas and wallabies.

Practical tips for your visit of Gauja National Park

The national park is an open area that is open 24/7 and all year round. There are no entrance fees, but a warm welcome to support local entrepreneurs.

Visitors are welcomed to visit the national park with their four-legged friends. It’s mandatory to keep the dogs at leash from March 15 - July 31 in the trails as the national park is home for many protected animal and bird species.

Visitors can reach the national park from the capital town Riga and travel inside the park with public transport - trains and buses. But to more easily reach nature sites a personal transport will be more convenient.

More information about nature, trails, tourism sightseeing places in Gauja National park here.