Discover Ape: Culture, River and Green Railway

• The Raganu Cliffs consist of Devonian sandstone outcrops; the rocks are up to 10 metres high.
• The Elīna Zālīte Memorial House commemorates the writer’s birthplace and childhood home.
• Boating is possible on the Vaidava River in Ape.
• The Green Railway cycling and walking route from Ape to Valka/Valga is marked in the landscape.
• The Ape–Alūksne Green Railway section is not an official Green Ways hiking trail and is not regularly maintained.
• The annual “Vaidava Cup” competition takes place on the Ape motocross track, named after Arvīds Levans.

The Raganu Cliffs consist of Devonian sandstone outcrops. Their described features include two large escarpments, five individual springs, several spring-fed areas and four niches. The rocks reach a height of up to 10 metres. This means the site features several specific natural formations: rock outcrops, escarpments and water features. If you enjoy paying close attention to landscape details when travelling, this place offers more than a single height measurement as a point of reference.

The Elīna Zālīte Memorial House commemorates the writer’s birthplace and the family home where she spent her childhood. The exhibitions explore her life and work, as well as the world of her birds and flowers; there is also an escape room. This means that the same house brings together biographical and literary themes with a different, playful activity.

The history of Ape is also presented there: an exhibition and a model of the Hoppenhof manor house explore the subject. The modern Ape Crafts House is another craft centre in the heart of Ape. A bridge over the Jašupīte River is known locally as the “Demography Bridge”. You can consider these places and themes separately when planning your trip, according to your interests, without treating them as serving the same purpose.

Boating is possible on the Vaidava River in Ape. This makes the river a distinct activity, while the exhibitions at the Memorial House provide a cultural focus. If you want to include both interests, you can consider them as different parts of your trip.

For motocross, the Ape track named after Arvīds Levans is the venue for the annual “Vaidava Cup”. If you want to plan your trip around this competition, check the dates in advance. This keeps event planning separate from places and themes that are there year-round.

The cycling and walking route from Ape to Valka/Valga is marked in the landscape. Along this route, you can learn about historical information. The Ape–Alūksne section has a different status: it is not an official Green Ways hiking trail and is not regularly maintained. The two descriptions therefore explicitly differ in status and in the maintenance mentioned.

Consider these sections separately rather than assuming that the route markings to Valka/Valga also apply to Ape–Alūksne. If you are considering the Ape–Alūksne section for your plans, check the conditions before your visit. The information about historical points along the route refers to the route from Ape to Valka/Valga.

Discover more destinations: Vireši, Trapene and Zvārtava.

What does the Elīna Zālīte Memorial House offer?

It commemorates the writer’s birthplace and childhood home. The exhibitions cover her life and work, as well as the world of her birds and flowers; there is also an escape room. The history of Ape is also presented there through an exhibition and a model of the Hoppenhof manor house.

Which Green Railway information is important for planning?

The cycling and walking route from Ape to Valka/Valga is marked and offers historical information along the way. The Ape–Alūksne section is not an official Green Ways hiking trail and is not regularly maintained.

Is boating possible on the Vaidava in Ape?

Yes. Boating is possible on the Vaidava River in Ape.

Go to the main travel overview: Ape Municipality.