Līgatne – Sigulda
Līgatne – 11 km Gančauskas – 16 km Sigulda
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The 27 km section Līgatne – Sigulda starts at the Līgatne Tourism Information Centre. Today we will walk through Gauja National Park, spending most of the route in the forest and walking right along the Gauja River.
We recommend stocking up on water and food in Līgatne for the whole day, as there will be no opportunities to replenish supplies along the way.
This section partly coincides with a popular hiking and cycling trail that runs in the opposite direction, from Sigulda to Līgatne, so at times you will see waymarks with a walking figure pointing the other way.
We begin our route from the Līgatne Tourism Information Centre, turning right onto Brīvības Street. We walk along the Līgatne stream until we reach the gates of the former Līgatne Paper Mill. Before the gates, we turn left and climb uphill to Gaujas Street. We turn right and follow Gaujas Street for 1.6 km until a junction, where Gaujas Street bends right, but we turn left onto Dārza Street, following the sign “Līgatnes dabas takas” (Līgatne Nature Trails). However, if you need a shop, continue straight along Gaujas Street – after about 300 m there is one on the left side. This is the last opportunity to refill your food and water supplies. To return to the trail, you will need to walk the 300 m back.
After 250 m, when the road splits, keep right and continue along Jumpravas Street.
After about 1.4 km, a path branches off to the right into the forest – follow it. After 300 m you will reach the water tourism rest area “Katrīnas,” with toilets and a spot to take a break. Soon after, a beautiful view opens up of Katrīnas Rock on the Gauja riverbank. After admiring the rock, turn left and continue along the Gauja. Past the last rest area, follow the arrow marked on a birdhouse and turn right into the bushes along a footpath that crosses a small stream. During floods, this stream may overflow (in that case, a 840 m detour is needed: continue straight along the forest road until you reach asphalt, turn right, walk straight until you reach the Līgatne Nature Trails parking lot, turn right again, and follow the trail marked “Botānikas taka” (Botanical Trail) and “Gūdu klintis 660 m” (Gūdu Cliffs 660 m)). In dry weather, cross the stream and continue along the path by the Gauja, following the signs. Where the path forks, turn right onto the Botanical Trail. Here, for safety, the birdhouse marker is doubled. Continue along this forest path until it opens into a meadow.
Turn left, staying on the Botanical Trail, until it leads out onto a paved road near farmhouses.
Turn left, and after a few metres turn right onto a larger paved road. Walk straight until the asphalt turns into a beautiful winding dirt road. Continue straight without turning. The Gauja reappears on the right-hand side.
After 1 km, a path branches right into the forest. Follow it back to the Gauja and continue for a while along a forest path beside the river. Along the way, you will find a rest area and a dry toilet. You will need to cross a small footbridge (which may flood during high water) and climb steep stairs.
After 3 km, the forest road bends sharply left, and soon you will exit the forest near the Christian camp and recreation centre “Gančauskas,” where you can get a stamp and stay overnight.
Continue straight along the country road for just under 2 km, passing through a farmstead. Soon a smaller road branches off right into the forest. After 50 m, at the next junction, take another right, following the sign “Sigulda 9.5 km.”
Go straight along the forest road for 0.5 km until a junction where another road branches off right. Turn right. After 300 m, at the next junction, turn left onto a forest trail. After about 1.2 km, the trail bends left around a farmstead. Continue straight along the trail, cross the farm road, and continue.
The winding forest path leads after 1.5 km to a wooden footbridge across a small stream. Cross it and reach the equipped rest area “Camping Bērzi,” with tables, benches, fireplaces, a dry toilet, and wooden shelters for overnight stays. From here, the path follows the forest edge, away from the Gauja. After 150 m, cross a gravel road and continue on the forest trail. After 600 m, where the path joins a dirt road, keep right along the dirt road by the Gauja. After 2 km, cross a bridge, with farmhouses uphill to the left. After 1.1 km, a path branches right back to the Gauja – take it.
After 500 m, where the path rejoins a dirt road, continue right. After 1 km you will reach a bridge over the Vējupīte stream. Cross it, following the sign “Bridge over Gauja.” Pass the rest area “Vējupīte.” Across the Gauja you can see Turaida Castle. In summer, there may be wild cow pastures in the meadows beyond the rest area. Continue on the footpath marked “Bridge over Gauja.” Reaching the sign “Bridge over Gauja 270 m,” you will come to wooden stairs on the left leading uphill to “Krusta kalns 320 m” (Cross Hill). Climb Cross Hill.
Descending from Cross Hill, at the next junction turn left to climb Livonian Order Castle Hill along the slope. On the summit are the castle ruins and a café. Continue across a pedestrian bridge past Sigulda New Castle, through the castle park to the ornate castle gates. Exit the gates and after 100 m you reach the church garden. Follow the footpath straight to Sigulda Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Continue past the church, turn right to cross Cēsu Street, then left onto Raiņa Street. Walk straight, and at the roundabout keep to the left side, cross two pedestrian crossings, and continue along Raiņa Street past the Sigulda Culture Centre “Devons” on the right. You have reached the start of Raiņa Street. Ahead are Sigulda Bus Station and Sigulda Railway Station. This building also houses the Sigulda Tourism Information Centre. Nearby, at the edge of the parking lot, is a repair stand equipped with tools for cyclists.
Cross Ausekļa Street at the pedestrian crossing and keep left until you reach the railway tracks. Cross them at the pedestrian crossing, turn right, and after 70 m turn left onto Raunas Street. After 250 m you will arrive at Sigulda Catholic Church – the end of this section.
