Gauja National Park (Sigulda)

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The Gauja National Park was the first established national park in Latvia and lies in what the Latvians call the "middle country". Traditional music, forests, rivers and lakes are the ingredients here. There are no big cities, but history is there all the more. Sigulda can serve as a starting point for visiting the Gauja National Park.

From here it is possible to take beautiful walks through the woods to ancient castles where the traditional inhabitants of the country have its origin, the Lvivs. The village itself is soothing and relaxed, but very vast and does not have a real center; do not expect terraces full of people and a nightlife area. The inhabitants of the village call it "the Switzerland of Latvia" but do also not expect alpine meadows and high "snowy" peaks because then you will be disappointed. 

In addition to the fact that you can do all sorts of "extreme" activities such as bungee jumping and bobsleighing, you can go for a day to the village Skalupe and visit the ultra-secret bunker the pension that was not known to the general public until 2003. became. The park can be visited free of charge.

The bus station of Sigulda is in the center (if you may speak of it) of the town. Next to it is the information center where you meet a perfectly English speaking girl who can explain everything for you. The train station was, when I was there, a shack as it is being rebuilt but it does function. It is a stone's throw from the bus station.

Sigulda - Skalupe: if you want to go to the pension you have to have some patience; first you have to walk to the main road (A2) which is about 15 to 20 minutes from the center. There is the bus stop where you have to wait for a bus to Cesis or Tartu in Estonia.

Please tell the bus driver that you want to go to Ligatne or Skalupe. At the Hamlet Augsligatne you get out and here you have to stay on the same stop for a local (mini) bus to Skalupe. The final stop is at the nursing home where the bunker is hidden underneath. Bus to Augusligatne 0.65 Ls, bus from Augusligatne to Skalupe 0.60 Ls.

Sigulda - Tartu (Estonia): There are not many trains to Estonia so prepare yourself; there is a train at 7:40 in the morning towards the border of Latvia and Estonia Varga - it costs 3.20 Ls. There is a connecting train (other side of the platform) that goes to Tallinn (or Tartu). You can buy a ticket for this in the train (see Estonia).

• Name: Turaida  Museum park (Sigulda)

Address: Turaidas iela 10

Open: 10:00 - 21:00 (summer), 10:00 - 17:00 (winter)

Price: 3.50 Ls

Time: 2 hours

Transport: walking, cycling

Website: www.turaida-muzejs.lv

Content:

Large complex with a castle, a church and many other buildings with exhibits all located in a beautiful setting on a hill overlooking a river and a lot of forest. Information about the Middle Ages in Lithuania and how this castle came about and its demise. Special attention is paid to the traditional inhabitants of the country - the Lviv's.

There is a park dedicated to the singing folkore and around the castle you can even try the (hand) bow and enjoy the view from the top in the big tower. The church is one of the oldest in the country and has been completely restored in wooden style. Because of the versatility of the complex, I thought it was worth it, just like the walk through the National Park "Gauja" from the campsite.

• Name: The pension (Skalupe)

Price: 3 Ls normally (for me 6,30 Ls)

Time: 1 hour mandatory tour

Transport: bus from Sigulda to Augsligatne, and then bus to Skalupe

Website: www.bunkurs.lv, www.rehcentrsligatne.lv

Content:

Located in the middle of a forest, now under a rehabilitation center, this is the most secret bunker in Latvia. Built under a guesthouse that served as a cover, the West was completely unaware of this and this was kept secret for the general public until 2003.

It was here that the top of Latvia (civilian, non-military) was taken care of (up to three months) if the country was attacked or in another state of acute distress. I myself had an excellent guide. A unique place in the history of the country and if interested in history a must-see. Getting there (by public transport) can be a problem but you can get there.

TIP
Ask the bus timetables at the information center in Sigulda and ask them if they can call for times of guided tours. When I was there I had to wait 2 hours (they have a restaurant and WIFI) and also ask the name of the person you (or the information center) spoke to.

At the nice restaurant (including terrace) Kaku Maja (means: black cat) you can eat well for an affordable price. There is a buffet and I had a good meal for about 3.75 Ls. In addition, it is cozy and right in the center.

• Name: Camping Pludmale (Sigulda) - Kempings Siguldas Pludmale

Address: Peldu iela 2

Price: 6 Ls (4 Ls p.p. and 2 Ls per tent)

Transport: on foot or via cable car (0.50 Ls)

Website: www.makars.lv

Content:

Beautifully situated on the river with a large lawn, plenty of picnic tables and trees that provide shade. The negative points are that there are only a small number of toilets and showers. They seem clean but simply too little. There are two young boys under a roof of a house and in the garage is the reception The campsite is also not secured at all; there is no fence or hedge around it and "strangers" can get there because control is hardly there.

Next to the campsite is the Tarzan complex which can generate quite a bit of noise, especially during the day. There is a very small kitchen and you can rent a boat so to see (there are plenty of them). I personally think the price is too high for what you get . But there is no competition in the form of another camp site and / or a good (cheap) hostel.

Finally, you can go to the center in two ways because there is nothing here; or walking the cliff via a steep long wooden staircase or by the cable car (0.50). It is again on the route to the main attractions of the town. There is free WIFI.

TIP: Near the village Skalupe (see the Pension) is also a campsite with the same owner as camping Pludmale.