Gauja National Park — Latvia’s natural gem
In addition to breathtaking landscapes, more than 500 historic and cultural monuments can be found in the park.
Due to low population density, there are still large parts of Latvia covered by forests, which are protected in national parks. The largest one is Gauja National Park, covering an area of 917.45 km2 in the Vidzeme region of the Gauja River valley, from which the park takes its name.
Gauja became Latvia’s first national park when it was founded in 1973, but its tourism history is believed to have a longer tradition. It is said that the very first visitors hiked here with walking-sticks as far back as the 19th century.
There are many national parks in Eastern Europe, but this is the only one where you’ll find so many slopes, springs, valleys, and caves located in such close proximity. In fact, the main reason tourists go to Gauja National Park is to see the sandstone and dolomite cliffs. By the way, you don’t have to pay any entrance fee to visit the park, which is very refreshing.
Gauja National Park is home to around 870 plant, 48 mammal, and 150 bird species. Forests take up almost one half of the park’s territory. And, to top it all off, more than 500 historic and cultural monuments can be found here (such as castles, manors, churches, watermills, and windmills). The park administration is based in Sigulda, where Sigulda Castle can also be found. Additionally, Gauja National Park is a popular place for numerous sports activities, such as biking, hiking, and canoeing.
Photos via Flickr.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, please consider recommending/sharing it.
We have also written about Prague, Viscri, Košice, the unique cave bath of Miskolctapolca, Kraków, Plitvice Lakes Natural Park, Lake Bled, Veliko Tarnovo, Novi Sad, Stari Bar, Bánffy Castle, Hunyadi Castle, Gyula, Kaunas, Kuressaare, Ruhnu, Zadar, Mostar, Tartu, Wigry National Park, Krk Island, Budva, Mileştii Mici Winery, Ljubljana, and Rupea Fortress.
Follow Eastern Chronicles on Medium, Facebook, and Instagram.
