Discover Unique Adventures in Latvia’s Gauja National Park

In Latvia, a country where over 50% of the land is covered in trees, arboreal adventures are easy to find. Moreover, northern Latvia, especially the area centered on Gauja National Park, offers eclectic, sometimes unique, experiences just waiting to entice visitors away from the capital, Rīga’s undeniable delights and into the woods. Whether you seek history, adventure like bobsleighing, or even the intriguing sport of bogshoeing, read on to learn more.

Go Bobsleighing with Champions

One of the main entry points for Gauja National Park, Sigulda is best known by international visitors for its castle complex. However, locals highlight its fame due to the Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, where local champions train and where you can put your winter sports skills to the test. For the most daring, there’s the bobsleigh experience. Feel the exhilarating rush as you travel over 110km per hour on the 1km course, completing it in under a minute, though your stomach might arrive a few seconds later. For something gentler, try the ‘soft bob’; akin to a padded child’s play area on ice, it’s a less intense option. Make sure to plan ahead, as the Latvian national team often practices here, making it a popular destination.

Visit Valmīermuiza Brewery

At the northeastern edge of the national park lies the town of Valmiera, home to the renowned Valmīermuiza beer company. This establishment produces some of Latvia’s most popular ales and is located on the site of a former manor house known for its hospitality. The brewery, founded in 2008, took a year to perfect its techniques before launching its first beer, which quickly became a local favorite. Enjoy tours of the brewery, dine at the restaurant, and don’t forget to stop by the shop for unique souvenirs, such as their 42% proof distilled craft beer or their non-alcoholic sodas flavored with natural forest ingredients.

Admire Artworks at Vienkoču Park Woodcraft Museum

Rihards, the genial host and master woodworker at the Vienkoču Park Woodcraft Museum, is eager to share his expertise. Having worked with wood since his teens, he crafts designs with materials sourced locally from the forest, honoring sustainable practices. Visitors can stroll through the park’s grounds to admire a variety of sculptures and purchase unique pieces. Additionally, if your timing is right, sign up for Rihards’ annual woodworking course, typically held in the summer, where you can create something special using traditional methods.

Walk through the Secret Soviet Bunker

Hidden amidst the birch trees of Gauja National Park lies the Secret Soviet Bunker, an unexpected relic from the Cold War era when Latvia was under Kremlin control. Constructed between 1970 and 1982, it served as a shelter for 250 of the country’s communist elite in the event of a natural disaster or nuclear threat. Upon entering the currently functioning medical rehabilitation center, visitors transition through an inconspicuous door into the past, leading to an evocative exploration of the complex’s original furnishings and equipment.

Give Bogshoeing a Go

Describing bogshoeing as “not your average hike” would be an understatement. By strapping on bogshoes—similar to tennis racquets made for your feet—you can traverse pristine bogs without getting wet. Mastering the technique may take some practice, but the reward is well worth it. This unique experience allows you to learn about the creation of these fascinating landscapes, including their ecological benefits, as they trap greenhouse gases similar to their tree neighbors.

Take Part in a Latvian Bath House Ritual

There’s no better way to conclude your day exploring Gauja than in a traditional Latvian sauna. Undress to your comfort level, don a stylish woolen hat to retain heat, and enter the sauna. Once you start to sweat, you can enjoy a close encounter with nature by experiencing a gentle brushing with leaves from oak, eucalyptus, birch, or other trees. After three rounds, relishing a cold plunge or making snow angels outside under the stars is invigorating. To enjoy this experience authentically, seek out a rural home with a bath house, such as Lantus Guest House, which boasts a stunning lakeside setting north of Gauja National Park.

Clifton traveled to Latvia with support from Magnetic Latvia. Thanks too to Experience Baltics.