Valmiera on the Gauja: Nature Trails, Culture and Water Experiences

The Gauja divides Valmiera into two parts; one of them is called Pārgauja. From the banks of the Gauja in Valmiera, the city’s walking trails can be reached in about five minutes. Another perspective on Valmiera is offered by the 12-kilometre hiking trail “Starp četriem Valmieras tiltiem”, which follows the banks of the Gauja.

Water and Trails

In summer, guided trips on the “Gaujas tramvajs” depart from the boat landing in Valmiera. The Gauja is seasonally navigable from Valmiera to its mouth into the sea for approximately 85 kilometres; three days are given for this route. A 25-kilometre canoeing route on the Gauja is suitable for beginners, experienced canoeists and families with children alike.

Nature

In Skaņākalns Nature Park, an approximately three-kilometre trail leads in one direction along the Salaca Valley and past sandstone cliffs, caves, springs and pine forests. At Sietiņezis, there is a developed circular trail that takes approximately 45 minutes to explore. Sietiņezis offers a view of the Gauja Valley; the surrounding area has small caves, niches, erosion gullies and pine forests.

Sietiņezis is approximately 15 metres high and 400 metres long and is described as the largest white sandstone outcrop in the Baltics. The Neļķu Cliffs stretch along the right bank of the Salaca for approximately 300 metres and reach a height of 20 metres. The Zilākalna Veselības taka is a 3.5-kilometre circular trail through nature. The observation tower on Zilākalns was ceremonially opened in 2024. Gauja National Park protects the Gauja Valley along the river between Valmiera and Murjani.

Culture

St. Simon’s Church in Valmiera is one of the most significant medieval monuments of sacred architecture in Latvia. Its tower houses an exhibition room and an observation platform with views over Valmiera. The Valmiera Museum of Regional History and Art is located in an ensemble of eight buildings within the ruins of the Livonian Order’s castle. The museum offers guided tours, lectures and various educational programmes.

The Old Pharmacy on Bruņinieku Street is the oldest wooden building in the city of Valmiera and the second-oldest pharmacy in Latvia. A visit to Valmiermuiža Craft Brewery offers an opportunity to learn how naturally made beer is produced; afterwards, it can be sampled in the manner of the manor owners.

Further Experiences

Sajūtu Park has a more than two-kilometre barefoot trail and a 200-square-metre net labyrinth. Four crossings of the Gauja are described in Sajūtu Park. In a Timemachine game, 24 places described in a story are visited along the Gauja at Krāču kakts in the Valmiera area, where virtual dinosaurs are hidden.

For regional navigation: Valmiera.

For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Liepāja, Jaunpiebalgas Municipality, Krimulda Municipality, Rucava Municipality, Baltinava Municipality, Bauska Municipality, Vecpiebalga Municipality.