Gauja National Park
Baznīcas iela 3, Sigulda Latvija, LV 2150
The Gauja National Park ( Latvian: Gauja Nacionalais parks ) is the oldest and with about 920 km ² also the largest national park in Latvia.
Location
It was created in September 1974, is located in the area of the cities Sigulda ( German: Sigulda ) and Cesis ( German: Wenden). Namesake of the national park is the river Gauja. The historic German designation of the region is " Livonian Switzerland " - it derives from the bright reddish yellow sandstone cliffs from the Devonian.
Protection goals
According to a survey by the Park Administration, there are about 900 plant species and 149 bird -40 to detect fish and 48 mammal species that use the area permanently or as a resting place. In addition to salmon, you can also see bears here. About 47 % of the national park is covered by forest. The National Park thus serves the landscape and species protection in the pan-European region.
Attractions
The National Park is divided into five zones, hold at the variety of tourist destinations, adventure and education. Besides the two cities Sigulda, Cesis with the castles, palaces, parks and sports facilities located there is the possibility in an open air museum in Āraiši to visit the replica of a medieval wooden Latgale Wasserburg and the associated village. Located in Cesis Good Ungurmuiza provides insights into the recent past of the region - it was once owned by the Baltic German family Campenhausen.
Popular are the adventurous boat trips and canoeing on the Gauja between Valmiera and Sigulda. Here, one can find many natural attractions - such as the Sietiņiezis Rock - with a panorama for hikers - and over a length of 700 meters the flow constricting eagle cliffs ( Latvian: Ērģeļu Klint's ) experience in Cesis. The Gutmana that Viktor Cave and the Devil's Cave originated thousands of years ago in the cliffs on the banks of the river in Sigulda. A three-day guided boat tour opens the 84 -kilometer section of the river, in which prevails a uniform flow along white-water sections.
Guided hiking tours with one of the wildlife of the national parks come close, impatient visitors find spare the zoo Līgatne ( German: Ligat ).