Discover Raiskums: Nature, Manor and Lake

Nature destinations include the Red Cliffs, a protected geological natural monument in Gauja National Park. A 2 km circular trail runs through the Red Cliffs area. The trail also features an open-air exhibition of large-scale paintings inspired by fairy tales by Latvian writer Kārlis Skalbe.

Another option is the Kvēpene nature trails, with Kvēpene Cave and a sacred spring emerging from an impressive sandstone cliff. The 11 km Kvēpene circular trail starts at the car park by the historic Raiskums Chapel, built around 1880. The two circular routes already differ in their stated lengths, so you can choose according to the distance you have in mind.

Raiskuma Manor includes around 20 surviving buildings, several of them with their original façades. The manor house has a terrace overlooking Lake Raiskums. At Raiskumietis, the offering described includes a tour with a visit to a wood-fired brewing vat and a tasting.

The trails in the Red Cliffs area combine a distinctive geological landscape with an artistic stop: the open-air exhibition of large-scale paintings is located along the trail. The paintings are inspired by Kārlis Skalbe’s fairy tales. If you’re interested in a literary connection as well as nature, you can take this exhibition into account when choosing your outing.

The circular trail by the Red Cliffs is 2 km long. The Kvēpene circular trail covers 11 km and starts at the car park by Raiskums Chapel. The Kvēpene nature trails lead to the cave and the spring by the sandstone cliff. The spring emerges from an impressive sandstone cliff as a sacred spring.

The manor’s history can be seen in its surviving buildings and façade details: around 20 buildings belonging to Raiskuma Manor have survived to this day, and several retain their original façades. The approximate figure conveys the scale of the surviving buildings without implying that they all have the same appearance or are in the same condition. The manor house adds a terrace overlooking Lake Raiskums to this historical setting.

An activity on the lake is also available: you can rent SUP boards at “Apaļkalns” campsite for trips on Lake Raiskums. This gives you different options when planning your trip—from the view of the lake from the manor house terrace to an SUP outing from the campsite.

At Raiskumietis, the tour includes a visit to a wood-fired brewing vat. Visitors who book a tour can also learn about the production of beer and sourdough bread and experience the nuances of different flavours during an extensive tasting.

The tasting features three local craft beers: pale, dark and cherry. The different varieties invite you to try different beer styles, while a visit to the brewing vat offers insight into the brewery’s equipment. If you want to focus your trip on regional drinks and their production, Raiskumietis offers a specific activity.

Hotel “Zaķīši” has a sauna and a lounge with a fireplace. The lounge is suitable for small celebrations or relaxed evenings with friends. If these kinds of spaces are important to you when choosing accommodation, you can take these features into account. Raiskums also offers activities related to nature, culture and food; which of these matters most for your trip depends on your interests.

To compare other destinations, you can also explore Cēsis and Rāmuļi.

How long are the circular routes described?

The circular trail in the Red Cliffs area is 2 km long. The Kvēpene circular trail is 11 km long and starts at the car park by the historic Raiskums Chapel.

What does a tour at Raiskumietis include?

The tour includes a visit to a wood-fired brewing vat. Visitors who book a tour can also learn about the production of beer and sourdough bread and enjoy an extensive tasting.

Which beer styles are offered at the tasting?

Three local craft beers are offered: pale, dark and cherry.

What lake activity is described?

You can rent SUP boards at “Apaļkalns” campsite for trips on Lake Raiskums.

For the broader travel overview: Cēsu Novads.