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Many confuse national parks with reservoirs, and for this reason are afraid to step on the territory of the first. But there is nothing to be afraid of: national parks are open for visitors. Of course, they are guarded and protected, but peaceful guests are welcome here.
There are four national parks in Latvia. The beauty is that having visited each, you will visit all regions of Latvia (there are also four): Vidzeme in the center, Kurzeme in the west, Zemgale in the south and Latgale in the southeast.
All national parks in Latvia have been granted the status of NATURA 2000. The mission of this project is to preserve biodiversity of natural objects of the European Union member states.
Gauja National Park
This park is named after the Latvian river, which is entirely justified: it occupies most of its territory. In fact, the main mission of the park at the time of its creation was the preservation of the valley of this river. What’s special about it, you ask? First, it is the longest river in the country, which begins and ends here. Its valley was formed as a result of the melting of the ice of the last ice age.
In addition to the river itself, the ancient sandstones on its shore require special attention. If you sail through Gauja by boat and watch the sandstones from the water, you will surely notice small excavations inside the rocks. These are nests of coastal swallows and kingfishers — rare Latvian birds.On the territory of the national park there is a large number of caves. Among them, Gutmanala is the widest and highest in the Baltics. It is associated with the famous legend of the Turaida rose (talking about the tragic fate of the girl Maya)[1] [2] . Other less tourist caves provide a winter shelter for bats — twelve species can be found around here.
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Water tourism
If you dreamt of being the hero of an adventure film who bravely flows through fast river waters, Gauja is ideal for this: with its rapid current, low depth (in some places less than a metre), amazing views around it and a well-developed boating infrastructure. Boating stations are located along the coast, where you can choose a vehicle for your own taste, from an inflatable boat to canoe.
It will also be interesting for those traveling on land — you will certainly be pleased with the number of walking and cycling routes. Here you can choose the right one for you.
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Historic sites
On the territory of the national park there are several significant cultural and historical monuments, one of them is the legendary Turaida Castle in Sigulda. In this castle, according to legend, the main character of the legend – Maya lived. At the end of the 20th century, this place became a real find for archaeologists: rare furnaces-hypocausts were found here, which were used to heat premises in ancient Rome.
If you decide to visit the castle, don’t forget to climb the tower — from its top there is a beautiful panoramic view of Gauja and the surrounding areas of the national park.
Kemeri National Park
This national park is only half an hour’s drive from Jurmala.
Five thousand years ago part of its territory was covered by the ancient Littorina sea. Over time it disappeared but the traces of its presence are still visible today; the numerous marshes here are good evidence.
Don’t be afraid of the swamp (and don’t even take rubber boots with you): there are several swamp routes equipped with wooden footpaths. The most popular is the trail of the great Kemeri swamp: 3.5 kilometers of clean air and cranberry shores. It is also a beloved place by photographers: sunsets and dawn, combined with a thick swamp fog, is a fairy tale.
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The park has many small lakes without a name but there is one main thing — the famous bird lake Kanieris. There are 237 species of birds here. The number is significant, given that there are approximately 342 in the whole of Latvia. On the shore there is a boat base: here you can rent a boat and go to explore the lake and all of its 14 islands.
In different months of the year, training events are organized in Kemeri National Park — from excursions to swamps to night observations of bats and owls. And if you like museums, you can look into the small Lapmezhciems — there is material evidence of ancient settlements inhabiting the shores of the Littorino Sea.
Slitere National Park
Cape Kolka, located on the territory of Slyter Park, offers a view that can’t be found anywhere else in Latvia with the impossible picture – the location of the meeting point between Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea. That’s why it’s worth coming to the park. Although it’s better to stay a little longer and explore other interesting locations.
The territories of Slitere are literally and figuratively imbued with marine themes: in numerous fishing villages you can not only try the famous Latvian fish delicacies, but also feel the atmosphere of the fishing lifestyle — both modern and ancient, because it was here that the fishing settlements of the Livi nation were located. Today several hundred descendants of these ancient people still live here. To learn more about these ancient people, we suggest visiting the people’s house of the Livi.
If you are looking for a place for complete privacy or a photo shoot, then Slitere is the perfect location for this. On the beach, regardless of the weather, you won’t meet another person — so this place is authentic. Although it’s better to choose a sunny day when the sand literally turns into gold.
And here is the Slitere lighthouse — the second oldest (year 1849 construction) and the tallest lighthouse in Latvia. It, among other things, reminds of all those ships that sank at — yes, very beautiful but just as dangerous — Kolka cape. The lighthouse went out in 1999 but continued to live as a lookout tower and exhibition hall. On clear days, from the height of the lighthouse, you can even see the Cape of Sirve, belonging to the famous Estonian island of Saaremaa.
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Razna National Park
Razna, like Slitere, is also mainly about water and the sea. But the sea here is not quite sea. Lake Raznas is the largest lake in Latvia in terms of water capacity. Therefore, it is called the Latgale Sea (it is located in Latgale, in the region in the south-east of the country). This area is in principle famous for its abundance of water, which is why it has secured the romantic name “The Land of Blue Lakes”.
The park was opened relatively recently, in 2007, but already offers a considerable number of hiking and cycling routes. One of the bike routes runs around Lake Razna itself.
For lovers of antiquities, the Volkenberg Castle is hidden in the park — or rather, the walls remain from it. It’s located on the hill Makonkalns, which offers a wonderful view of the Latgale Sea, located only two kilometers away.
Another hill worthy of attention is Lielais Liepukalns. This is the third highest peak in Latvia, and it is also here where the highest wooden observation deck in the country is located.
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You can’t help but mention the luxurious example of Jugendstile, the Luzavskaya Manor, a former favorite meeting place of the creative elite and restored in 2015. Before visiting, be sure to check the calendar of events — perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to get to one of the concerts, master classes or excursions that are held here on a regular basis.
Perhaps this park — with its blue lakes, medieval castle, green hills and dense forests — will remind you of the landscapes of the Tolkien worlds.
