Page 192 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

190  LA T VIA REGION B Y REGION

1 Gauja National Park
Valmiera
Latvia’s first and most popular national park was established
in 1973 and stretches for about 100 km (62 miles) along the Gulf of Cēsis
Gauja River Valley. But the area has been attracting tourists to Rīga
its so-called “Alpine trails” since the 19th century. Almost half Sigulda Gauja
Area of the
of the 92,000-ha (227,337-acre) park is forested, and it is home map illustrated
to about 900 plant, 149 bird and 48 mammal species. Around LATVIA
4 per cent of the park forms a closed nature reserve, but the
rest is accessible by road. Canoeing and boating are great Key
ways to see the caves, cliffs and ravines carved out by the river Gauja National Park
since the glaciers receded 12,000 years ago. In addition to its
natural attactions, the area also has some of Latvia’s most
fascinating historic sites (see pp192–3).
Lake
Ungurs

Lielstraupe

Gaujasmala
Inčiems
. Turaida Museum Reserve
The extensively restored Turaida Castle houses historical exhibitions,
while the grounds include outbuildings and a sculpture park.
Gauja

Turaida

Sigulda
Ragana

New Castle in Sigulda
This fanciful manor house was built in 1867 near
the ruins of a Livonian Order castle, where there is
now an open-air stage.
Gauja
0 km 5
0 miles 5
Bobsleigh Run
Key
Sigulda offers a rare
Major road chance to experience
Minor road the thrill of a world-class
bobsleigh run at a
Other road
reasonable price. In
Railway line summer, a slower,
Park boundary wheeled vehicle is used.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp302–3 and pp324–5

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