Day Trip To Gauja National Park: Animals, and Castles

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An hour-long ride from Riga will bring you to Gauja National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Latvia. Also known as the Switzerland of Latvia.

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Highlights

Sigulda New Castle and the Medieval Castle Ruins
Gutman’s Cave – the biggest cave in the Baltics
Tour of the Gauja National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Latvia
Ligatne Nature Trails, animal care center

Description

An hour-long ride from Riga will bring you to Gauja National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Latvia. Also known as the Switzerland of Latvia, offering some of the most beautiful sceneries in the whole country. It is the most popular place for spending a lovely day outside Riga and exploring castles and nature wonders. You will visit a papermill village Ligatne that still looks almost the same as in the 19th century. Later walk through the Ligatne Nature Trails. On the 4 km trail you will have a chance to see various species of wild mammals living in Latvia like brown bear, elk, deer, wild boar and many more. The Ligatne Nature Trails were established to educate visitors about Latvian natural treasures and local species of wild plants and animals. All of the animals were abandoned, injured or tamed animal babies. Later, you will explore the Sigulda Castle Complex which consists of two castles built in different centuries. Sigulda Medieval Castle Ruins mark the beginnings of Sigulda as a town while Sigulda New Castle serves as a wonderful example of a 19th-century manor house. Take your time and discover the history of the region, climb the tower, and enjoy a great view of the Gauja River valley. Before returning to Riga, visit the impressive Gutman’s Cave – the biggest cave in the Baltics and the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia.