Outside Narbuli Retreat House

The Gauja National Park is a protected area that showcases the diverse nature of the Gauja River valley. The valley’s history spans over 350 million years and its hilly landscape was originally formed by the melting of glaciers at the end of the Ice Age. The Gauja River was once navigable and used for transportation, leading to the construction of Livonian settlements on its banks, along with several ancient castles on hilltops that still stand today. In the park, visitors can see oaks planted by kings, experience the healing properties of springs, hear echoes in limestone caves, and explore the forests. Whilst you can view all the park’s highlights by car, it’s much more enjoyable to take a short hike, bike ride, or horseback ride. The park’s website and app provide information on all the routes and interesting places to visit.

Līgatne, a former paper mill town, is located not far from Cēsis. The town is characterized by worker settlements situated on hills, a complex system of locks on the river Līgatne, and a robust social infrastructure that includes a hospital, maternity ward, cultural center, and homeless shelter. These features were quite unexpected for the industrialization period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. If you’re interested in exploring the town, you can find available routes through Līgatne on its website.

The Ieriķi Watermill Park is located nearby and offers visitors a unique blend of nature, family heritage, and a touch of mysticism on a small but beautiful territory.The park features several small waterfalls and is traversed by the Melderupe River, which also serves as a spawning ground for salmon. During the fall, when the temperature reaches an average of +6C, you can see the salmon swimming up the river, attempting to overcome the largest waterfall. The river also features a 350-year-old working mill named after Jorgis Ziemelis, an ancestor of the family that manages the park. If you plan to visit the park, you can find information about its history, opening hours, ticket prices, and even picnic area rentals on the website.

The Archaeological Park of Āraiši, a reconstructed fortified settlement that belonged to the ancient Latgalian people from the 9th-10th centuries, is situated on a lake approximately 5.5 km from the Narbuli Retreat House. In addition to the ruins of a medieval castle, the park includes exhibits on the indigenous people’s lifestyle, food, and clothing. Visitors can also learn about the castle’s flooding and subsequent restoration.

Amatciems offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling, skiing, and skating, but it does not have any official routes, ski tracks, or skating rinks. If you prefer more organized sport facilities, nearby Cēsis and Sigulda have many options available, including skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh, rafting, and bungee jumping. These activities can be enjoyed at designated sports centers, where you can rent equipment, receive instruction from professional instructors, and benefit from safety measures.