Gauja National Park is Latvia's oldest and largest protected natural area. Established in 1973, it covers more than 90,000 hectares of forest, river valleys and sandstone cliffs stretching across Vidzeme.
It is both a national treasure and an everyday landscape for those who live within its borders. The park follows the course of the Gauja River, winding between hills and ravines formed during the last Ice Age. From above, the scenery appears almost unbroken — a canopy of trees that changes colour with the seasons and opens occasionally into meadows, villages and historical towns.
Layers of History and Nature
Unlike some national parks that feel remote, Gauja has always been inhabited. The towns of Cēsis and Sigulda sit within its borders, and visitors encounter traces of medieval castles along with walking trails and lookout points. In this way, the park reflects the Latvian landscape as a whole — shaped by history but open to the present.
The Gauja River valley in autumn, when forests turn gold and crimson
Gauja is known for its sandstone formations, caves and river viewpoints. The best-known of these is Gutmanis Cave, said to be the largest sandstone cave in the Baltic region. The cliffs nearby display unique rock patterns and serve as natural lookout points over the river, particularly striking during autumn when the forests turn gold and red.
Sigulda — Gateway to the Park
Sigulda often serves as the entry point for hikers and weekend visitors. The town features castle ruins, valley trails and a cable car that crosses above the river. It has also become associated with active tourism, offering canoe trips, cycling routes and even a bobsleigh track still used for training.
Cēsis — Medieval Character in a Natural Setting
Further north lies Cēsis, one of Latvia's most historically significant towns. Its castle, streets and central square retain their medieval layout, while the surrounding forest makes it easy to shift between town and nature in the space of a few minutes.
The Rhythm of the Forest
One of the defining features of Gauja National Park is its atmosphere. Paths curve rather than cut straight; trails follow the river rather than dominate it. Many visitors notice the silence and clarity of the air. Forests here are not simply places for recreation — they are part of daily life and memory, shaping how people move and think.
Each season brings a different mood. Spring fills the valley with blooming wildflowers, summer brings hikers and canoeists, autumn transforms the hills into a mosaic of colour, and winter reveals the clean lines of the land beneath the snow. For many Latvians, it is the place they return to when they want to see the country as it truly is.