The reason why fortified settlements by Livs later followed by monolith stone castles erected by Germans were established here are the natural conditions and geologic processes over the last 10,000–15,000 years and consequences thereof — complicated terrain, steep ravines and rock pillars on banks in the places of their interactions, onto which castles were erected. Were the primeval valley not formed by the glacier, the nature and culture landscape of Sigulda would be completely different!

Route

Gūtmaņala Cave Visitor Centre – Vikmeste Valley – Mounds Taurētāju and Rata – Mound Kārļa – Turaida – Turaida Museum Reserve – Dainu kalns or the Hill of Folksongs – stairs leading down from Dainu kalns to the River Gauja – Turaidas iela (Igauņu Ravine) – Gūtmaņala Cave Visitor Centre

Distance

~6 km

Attachments: