- Country: Latvia;
- Source: Vidzeme Upland;
- Source height above sea level: 234 m;
- The mouth: Carnikava;
- Length: 452 km;
- The area of the basin: - 8,9 thousand km ².
The longest and most picturesque river in Latvia is Gauja. It is notable for its rugged nature, florid rapids and sharp transitions. It is this dynamism and unpredictability that Gauja attracts lovers of water tourism. Special attention deserves the attractions located on the banks of the river. Fusing through Gauja, one can see towers of medieval castles, spiers of churches, unique monuments of nature, history and architecture.
The Gauja River is obstinate and beautiful
Almost all of the Gauja River flows through the territory of Latvia, in the northeastern part of it. If you look at the map, you can say that Gauja is devoted to her homeland. Taking the source in the Vidzeme Upland, the river flows to the east, but when it reaches the Latvian- Estonian border, it turns sharply and continues its way through the Latvian plains, right up to the Gulf of Riga , where it flows into the Baltic Sea (near the village of Carnikava).
Gauja is often mentioned in ancient legends, songs and folk tales, as a volatile and treacherous river. Often a calm measured current and cozy bays on the plains suddenly interrupt steep turns and boiling rapids with dangerous whirlpools.
From the source to the mouth
The upper course of the river is quite turbulent. There are several dams and rapids. Starting from the place where the river Palsa flows into Gauja, the current becomes slower and fuller. Behind the bridge, along which the "Pskov- Riga " highway passes, the quietest section of the Gauja channel begins - 100 km with sparsely populated low banks.
Closer to the city of Strenči, the current accelerates, and the river narrows. Kayakers like to rest here during the flood. In addition to good flow, this section of Gauja is characterized by a large number of small flowing rivers (Abuls, Loya, Amata, Brasla), which have canyon valleys - ideal places for canoeing and kayaking.
But the most picturesque part of the riverbed on which the Gauja River appears in all its splendor is 106 km from Valmiera to Murjani. Here you can contemplate the ancient Latvian cities: Cesis , Ligatne , Sigulda with its famous castles. The ancient river valley is under state protection and is part of the Gauja National Park , which extends over an area of about 90,000 hectares. The river bank in this part, as if one continuous exhibition of a unique open-air museum of nature. Tourists from all over the world come here to see:
- the incredible beauty of the exposure of sandstone red , golden and gray, formed 350 million years ago;
- Aivazu's breathtaking precipice ;
- high cliffs (Erglu, Leachu-Langu, Kuku, Sietinjiesis);
- mysterious caves (among them the largest cave in the whole of the Baltic Gutman);
- majestic cliffs formed from dolomite and sandstone (Dzilnas, Zvartes, Kaubyu);
- an amazing flora , which includes about 900 plant species;
- "Red" rocks Anfabricas and Lustusis .
Over the Gauja park, the river expands, the current becomes more calm, and sand banks are increasingly found. The river Gauja flows into the Gulf of Riga through a wide mouth (80-100 m).
Things to do?
The Gauja River is one of the favorite vacation spots in Latvia for connoisseurs of active tourism. Depending on the nature of the river and the shore, you can:
- to fish ;
- Enjoy your vacation in the camping on the picturesque bank of the river ;
- to participate in extreme entertainment on the steep banks of Gauja , visiting the "Park of sensations" or by making a "walk through the trees" (in Valmiera);
- rafting on kayaks ;
- to ride on a boat, catamaran ;
- arrange a fascinating walk on a large raft with a hard deck ;
- Go on a journey along the nature trails along Gauja .
The most visited part of the Gauja is the ancient river valley (between Valmiera and Inčukalns).
How to get there?
Getting to Gauja is quite easy, because it flows near several main transit highways and large cities.
It is most convenient to get to the river, having left from a line " Riga - Pskov". In the east, this can be done in the village of Viresi, and in the west near Murjani (the distance from the highway to the shore is 1 km).