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Close your eyes for a moment. Hear gravel crackling under your wheels while spruce trees rustle overhead. A red-brick castle towers above the valley, and somewhere out of sight a woodpecker taps at an old pine. That is Gauja National Park, just an hour’s train ride or drive from Latvia's capital city Riga, yet it feels like an entirely different world. Here, cycling isn’t a workout you tick off; it’s a slow-unfolding story told by rivers, ravines and medieval keeps.
Latvia’s Gauja National Park stretches across 917 km² of sandstone cliffs, pine uplands and castle-topped ridges - barely an hour by hourly Riga–Sigulda train (52 min; €2.5–4 including your bike). Riga - Cēsis train (the middle point) ( 1h20 – 1h50m; €4.5 - 5.5). Riga – Valmiera train (the Northern gate) (1h47m – 2h20m; € 5.30 - 6.30)
Thanks to hundreds of kilometers of still-unpaved forestry roads and farm lanes, you can string together well over 400 km of continuous gravel without repeating a segment; enough to keep you busy for a week.
Gauja’s back-country network stretches for more than 500 kilometers. Most tracks are smooth forest roads or hard-packed riverside paths, meaning anyone who can pedal a bike can join the fun. At the same time, sandy climbs, root-laced single-track and long, steady ascents hide around the next bend for riders who crave a challenge. Every route threads its own needle through nature, history and Latvian folklore, culture, so no two rides feel the same.
1. Sigulda–Turaida Loop (32 km)
Max gradient ≈ 7 %; novice-friendly warm-up.
Start with a pastry in Sigulda, clip in and dive into the cool shade of mixed forest. Soon the trees part and you spot Turaida Castle glowing terracotta against a sea of green. A short detour to Gutmanis Cave, Baltics’ largest sandstone grotto, adds fantasy, doomed lovers and ancient graffiti to the tale. The gradients never get cruel, making this loop a sweet warm-up for medium-fit riders.
2. Ērgļu Cliffs - Amata Valley (28 km)
Two 80 m climbs; avoid after heavy rain.
Think of this as a moving postcard. The track rolls gently through pine stands that smell of resin and sun-warmed moss. In early summer, pink clover and bright yellow buttercups blanket the meadows; in August, purple heather takes over. Pause on the Amata River bridge, listen for kingfishers and let the current hypnotise you. It’s an easy ride, perfect for a lazy afternoon or a family outing.
3. Cēsis Heritage Circuit (42 km)
Rolling, punchy hills –/+450 m gain.
Cēsis is a town that wears its history on cobblestones. Your tires hum past wooden manors, then you break into open farmland and follow an old narrow-way rail toward the castle ruins on the hill. Locals still talk about “bakery Mondays”, stop in Vaive and you will understand why. Expect a peppering of punchy climbs that will leave you happily tired and smelling faintly of rye bread.
4. Gauja Riverside Ramble (23 km)
Completely flat; perfect for families.
This riverside path drifts along lazy bends. Pack a blanket, a chunk of smoked cheese and some sea-buckthorn lemonade, then pick any sun-dappled sandbar for an impromptu picnic. Ideal for beginners, daydreamers and anyone on holiday mode.
5. Forest-to-Ķūķu Cliffs Loop (52 km)
Loose sand insists on 40 mm+ tyres and low gearing.
This route stitches together sandy fire roads, rough quarry tracks and one exhilarating descent that spits you out beneath the “Ķūķu Iezis”, a vertical sandstone walls carved into rippling pillars. Bring extra snacks, spare sealant and your sense of awe.
Go with a guide or blaze your own trail?
Guided outings save you from navigation puzzles and add a trove of folk stories you’d never find on Wikipedia. Someone else handles flats, ferries the picnic and knows where the bear tracks cross the trail....
Solo or self-guided rides trade that structure for quiet freedom. Rent a gravel bike in Sigulda, Līgatne or Cēsis, download a GPX file and follow your curiosity. The park’s signposts are clear, and cafés appear just when you need caffeine and local snacks.
Tip: High season runs from May to September, and good gravel bikes can sell out weeks ahead. Book early if you want wide tyres and fresh brake pads. You can find more about where to rent a bike here.
Pack smart, ride happy
A gravel bike with 40-to-45 mm tubeless tyres is ideal; anything skinnier will chatter your teeth on washboard sections. Layer breathable jerseys with a light rain shell, as Latvian weather changes minds faster than a teenager. Toss in a multi-tool, two spare tubes (sometimes sticks punch holes tubeless can’t seal), a power-bank, and enough water to last until the next village well. Lights help in the forest gloom, and a tiny first-aid pouch weighs almost nothing until you actually need it.
When is the best time to roll?
Spring (late April–May): Forest smells like new life, but shady lanes can stay muddy; embrace the splatter.
Summer (June–August): Long daylight, warm river and lake swims, busy weekends. Start early if you want the trails to yourself.
Autumn (September–mid-October): Golden birch leaves flutter past as you ride; the air is cooler and photogenic. Pack a warmer layer and expect a shower or two.
Winter? Snow turns Gauja into a fat-bike playground, though most gravel rigs hibernate. If you do visit, studded tyres and hot tea are non-negotiable.
Little extras that make the day
Forest bathing: Park the bike, lean against a mossy trunk, breathe slowly. Studies say it lowers blood pressure; your smile will confirm it. For the perfect mid-ride pause or overnight stay, head to Ozolkalns camping, one of the region’s most peaceful camping and leisure spots. Find more capsites in Gauja National Park HERE
Latvian bites: Order grey-pea salad or hemp-butter rye toast at a countryside krogs (tavern) and discover why locals ride for food.
Capture the ride: An action camera on a handlebar mount keeps both hands free for the occasional wildlife appears in your field of vision
And some micro-adventures to explore
Secret Soviet bunker, Līgatne (9 m underground). Rotary phones, decontamination showers; Cold-War theatre under your cleats.
Sigulda bobsleigh ride. 1,420 m, 16 curves; same track World-Cup sliders use.
Gauja Gourmet’s Journey: nice spots to get local and seasonal menu and goods: Straupe Slow Food market on 1st and 3rd week's Sundays, Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen and terrace, Kārļamuiža Country Hotel manor kitchen, Aparjods restaurant, Rāmkalni produced healthy snacks of berries and fruits
Your adventure starts now
Gauja National Park is waiting; whether you sign up for a hosted tour or chart your own dotted line on the map, you’ll roll through pages of natural and human history few people outside Latvia have ever experienced.
Curious about guided options? Check out EnterGauja’s small-group gravel tours and let locals show you the park’s hidden corners.
Prefer self-guided freedom? Check out Latvian Routes, or download GPX, hop trains, finish in a lakeside sauna. Cafés or village wells appear every 15-25 km, but summer rentals sell out weeks ahead.
Gauja’s gravel isn’t just terrain, but a storyline chiselled in 360-million-year-old sandstone and scribbled over by Livonian knights and Soviet engineers. Spin any of these loops, add an authentic Ziedlejas sauna ritual experience or Secret Soviet Bunker in Līgatne tour, and tag on social media your adventure with #GaujaGravel and #EnterGauja so the next rider can follow.
Interested in sports activities in Gauja National Park?
Head to Valmiera city that offers you a wide choice. Valmiera is a dynamic Latvian city offering excellent sports facilities for both locals and tourists. Outdoor options are equally impressive, with the scenic Jānis Daliņš Stadium, cycling and hiking trails, the Gauja riverside rowing base. 2025 UEC BMX racing European championships will take place in Valmiera town in 10 - 13 July, 2025
Article prepared by Codnity Creative and Gauja National Park Tourism Association
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