The Wild Ravine of the River Vējupīte and Mound Paradīzes

Best time to go

April–October. Especially recommended during the blooming of bird-cherry trees, the colourful autumn, and sunny winter days with a few snow which doesn’t prevent walking on the paths and Vējupīte Ravine). Early spring is also suitable, since the leafage of trees and bushes does not cover the view over Vējupīte Ravine and the primeval valley of Gauja.

Route

Sigulda Railway Station Square – Raiņa iela – Pils iela – Līvkalna iela – Pēteralas iela – Vējupīte Ravine – mouth of the River Vējupīte with Gauja – Mound Paradīzes (Gleznotāju) – Miera iela – Līvkalna iela – Pils iela – Jaunā pils – Castle of Livonian Order in Sigulda – Gaujas iela – Raiņa iela – Sigulda Railway Station Square.

Distance

~10 km

Duration

Half-day or a full day route.

Difficulty level

Moderate-difficult. Some sections — banks of ravines — might be strenuous due to their steepness.

Road pavement

Asphalt (in town), forest roads, paths, wooden stairs on the slopes.

Starting point/ destination

Sigulda Railway Station Square.

Way marking

None on site.

Public transportation

The train Riga-Sigulda operates 8-9 times per day. The route can be started at any place, depending on the location of an accommodation site.

Worth knowing!

Suitable trekking footwear and a local map is needed. The wooden stairs may be damaged at some places! Respect the information signs placed in objects. Walking outdoors is at one’s own risk. Emergency services: 112.

Recommendation

This route can be merged with any other route in Sigulda vicinity or part thereof. Some sections leading through streets can be made with an electric car or by taking the local bus.

1. Sigulda Rail/way Station Square

2. Raiņa Park

Pay attention!

En route from the town centre to the valley of the River Vējupīte, roe deer is seen early in the mornings in the meadow near Līvkalna Street. Along Līvkalna Street, there is an alley of oaks — a place to study lichen, moss, and polypores (e.g. sulphur shelves).

3. Satezele Hillfort

The left bank of the valley of the River Vējupīte is crossed by the deep Pūču Ravine — home to the River Kraukļupīte. Satezele Hillfort (sagging 90  × 75 m) is located at the intersection of ravines of both rivers. Before the hillfort on the roadside, there is a great oak. During spring the meadows near the hillfort are covered in beautiful dandelions. From top of the hillfort — view over the primeval valley of the River Gauja (northward).

4. River Vējupīte

Left tributary of the River Gauja. Length — 14 km, gradient — 88 m. For ca. 3.5 km below Riga-Valka railway line the river flows through a deep ravine, and the vertical drop thereof reaches around 15-16 m/km. Those in for nature can have a look at two small waterfalls near the railway line (on side of the River Gauja).

5. Vējupīte Ravine

Vējupīte Ravine ends at the Mound Paradīzes, where it merges with the primeval valley of Gauja. The next five objects are located in or close to Vējupīte Ravine.

Pay attention!

The banks of Vējupīte Ravine are covered in forests of slopes (oak, linden, hazel, maple), large-size decayed wood and deadwood. Here one can spot traces that woodpeckers have left on tree trunks and sometimes hear the birds. Ball-shaped sandstone is found on the riverbed of rivers Vējupīte and Kraukļupīte.

6. Pētera Cave

The shallow (3.6 m), but high (6.1 m) Pētera Cave reminds of a crack-like gallery. It is only 0.7 m high at the portal. The cave is located within the reddish sandstones from Gauja suite.

Pay attention!

The polypodies and common fragile fern are growing on the sandstone outcrops. The patina seen at some places is actually the velvet lichen. The ground cover of the forest reveals common moss like glittering wood-moss, red-stemmed feathermoss, goose-necked moss, and ostrich plume feathermoss. Various species of fern. On fallen trees and stumps — sulphur shelves, red banded polypore, Dryad’s Saddle, and other species of mushrooms decaying the timber.

7. Kraukļu Ravine

Lateral ravine of the left bank of Vējupīte Ravine with impressive up to 11 m high sandstone cliffs at the feet of which a dark “mouth” is seen — the Kraukļu Cave. The 5.2 m long cave is formed in the reddish sandstone from Gauja suite.

8. Mound Paradīzes (Gleznotājkalns)

One of the most scenic places in Sigulda. In general, it is not a mound but residual hill of the valley wall, where the primeval valley of the River Gauja is split by the large Vējupīte Ravine. One of the best views towards Turaida Castle and the primeval valley of the River Gauja is seen from the top of the mound. An electric car can bring you from Mound Paradīzes to Sigulda.

9. Viewpoint

Located on the upper part of the primeval valley, between Mound Paradīzes and Sigulda cemetery. Magnificent view over the primeval valley and Turaida Castle on the opposite bank. Traces by woodpeckers on the trees are also visible.

Pay attention!

Area around Sigulda is one of the areas gathering most of insects in Latvia. The reason behind the insect diversity is the old deciduous forests alongside the River Gauja, which is home to rare beetle species, e.g., the lesser stag beetle or cardinal beetle. Various species of butterflies are found in open areas, while the riverside will reveal dragonflies (such as the green snaketail). Best time to watch insects is May–July.

10. Paparžu Ravine

A deep ravine dividing the left side of the old valley wall of the River Gauja between Sigulda cemetery and Sigulda Castle Ruins. Probably, the name origins from the many fern stands covering the steep slopes of the ravine.

Pay attention!

An invasive plant species is found near Miera Street — Himalayan balsam.

11. First luge and bobsleigh track in the Baltic

At the end of the 19th century, the grand duke Kropotkin erected a 900 m long track with one curve, where it was poured with water and frozen. It is the first of tracks of such type in the Baltics, and starts from the former ditch around the fortified Castle of Livonian Order in Sigulda. In 1913 the Pan-Russian records in bobsleigh were set here. During the war, the track was destroyed.

12. Castle of Livonian Order in Sigulda

13. Nature and heritage incentive centre “Baltā pils” (White Castle)

Located in a building (Baznīcas iela 7), which was erected at the end of 1890s as a family house for the grand duke Nikolai Kropotkin. At present it is home of the Nature Conservation Agency. Swans and wild ducks are seen in the pond next to it. The nearby slopes are covered with forests of slopes (protected habitats), while the Sigulda Park is a place to watch bats in summer evenings.

14. Sigulda Lutheran Church