The Gauja National Park is the largest national park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 square km running from northeast of Sigulda to southwest of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja River, from which the park takes its name. The park is particularly noted for the Devonian sandstone cliffs, in some places more than 40m in height, along the banks of the Gauja. In the southwest, it is mainly used by the inhabitants of Riga as a leisure facility, while it is more strictly protected further to the northeast. Some 47% of the park's territory is forest, mostly spruce and pine, but with some deciduous growth. Of the numerous lakes in the park, the largest is Lake Ungurs. The Gauja National Park (Latvian: Gaujas nacionālais parks) in Vidzeme is the largest national park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 km² running from north-east of Sigulda to south-west of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja River, from which the park takes its name. It was established on 14 September 1973 and is thus also the oldest national park in Latvia. The park administration is based in Sigulda. The park is particularly noted for the Devonian sandstone cliffs, in some places as high as 90 metres, along the banks of the Gauja, particularly in the northern parts round Sigulda. In the south-west it is mainly used by the inhabitants of Riga as a leisure facility, while further to the north-east it is more strictly protected.
The biggest NP in Latvia (920 square km) founded in 1973. It´s situated on the banks of Gauja river, 60 km long and some 10 to 30 km wide. Marvelous combination of nature (forests, rivers, caves) and cultural sights (cities of Sigulda, Cesis, Valmiera, castles of Sigulda, Krimulda, Turaida). Quite good and cheap railway connection with Riga. Cesis: 20000 inhabitants, fonunded 1205; the oldest North-European brewery (1590); ruin of medieval castle; Chateau Jauna pils with a museum; large gothic church of St. John. Sigulda: 12000 inhabitants, name from Segewald (castle of German crusaders, you can visit the ruins). Pseudo-gothic Jauna pils nearby. Picturesque Lutheran church from 1750. You can reach the other bank by cableway (40m above the river) and visit the castle of Turaida (1214) built from red bricks on the place of former wodden fort. Between Sigulda and Turaida you may see the Gutmana cave, the biggest in Baltic, with old scraped signs. If the weather is right, a few days in the densely wooded Gauja National Park, just 20 mi/30 km northeast of Riga, can be the highlight of a trip to Latvia. Set in the Gauja River Valley, Gauja National Park has scenic Devonian sandstone cliffs, small caves and wonderfully tall, ancient oak trees. A nice way to see the park is on trail rides or—when the water levels are high in spring—by boat. In Gauja, you'll want to stop in Cesis, a former Hanseatic town in the middle of the park.
The area was formerly sometimes known as the "Livonian Switzerland" and tourists started to visit this area in the 19th century. Besides the towns of Cēsis and Sigulda, Līgatne (with the Līgatne Nature Trails) is also located in the park, and Valmiera is close to it. It also includes Turaida Castle, Lielstraupe (known for its church and castle) and the historic Ungurmuiža estate.
47% of the park's territory is forest, mostly spruce and pine, but including some deciduous growth. Of the numerous lakes in the park the largest is Lake Ungurs. Visit St. John's Church (dating from 1281) and the Cesis Castle (founded by the Knights of the Sword in the 1200s, and more recently restored). Cesis hosts a number of popular summer festivals, including an opera festival, a beer festival and the Knight's Festival (with a jousting tournament). http://tourism76.blogspot.com
