1 1 GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

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3 Basic Facts Area ha Total extent of the Park boundaries250 km Length of the Gauja valley93,5 km Width of the Gauja valley0,8 – 2,5km Maximal depth of the Gauja valley 85 m 3

4 Basic Facts Forests47 % Agricultural land37% Bogs4 % Water bodies3 % State land ~ 50 % 4

5 Basic Facts Monuments of culture and history ~ 540 Geological monuments 50 Total lenght of roads 1800 km 5

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7 Gauja NP aims are:  To protect untouched nature territories that are charactized by a great biodiversity, rock outcrops, and variety of relief shapes, springs, picturesque landscapes and countless nature and culture monuments;  To promote nature tourism and sustainable development of the territory. 7

8 Tourism and Specially Protected Areas The activities of both foreign and local tourists are growing. And now specially protected areas, including Gauja National Park, have become important tourist destination. 8

9 Tourism in Gauja National Park  Visitors every year:  For example, in Ligatne Nature Trails: ~ visitors/ per year ~ visitors/ per year  Most visited areas:  Ligatne Nature Trails 9

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11 Tourism in Gauja National Park  Visitors every year:  For example, in Ligatne Nature Trails: ~ visitors/ per year ~ visitors/ per year  Most visited areas:  Ligatne Nature Trails  Sigulda and surroundings of Cēsis 11

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13 Tourism in Gauja National Park  More than 100 km of marked paths for hiking;  Mountain bike trails near cities Sigulda, Cēsis and Valmiera;  Several rivers which are good for water tourism;  ~20 campsites at the Gauja River and its tribunaries;  Campsites along the main roads. 13

14 Water Tourism  On the banks of the Gauja River there is established a “net “ of campsites, which is managed by Gauja National Park Administration or in some cases - by businessmen. 14

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16 Water Tourism  Green campsites are most friendly to the nature.  There is 1 green campsite in the stage from Valmiera to Murjāņi: ”Ķūķu klintis” (“Ķūķu cliffs”). It was established this year and is the only green campsite in Gauja National Park.  In the campsite tourists are asked to:  Come by boats, on foot, by bike;  Bring away rubbish to pointed rubbish collecting places outside the campsite;  Not to make a fire to cook, but to use grill or primes taken from home. 16

17 Water Tourism  The Gauja River in the section from Valmiera to Murjāņi is one of the most popular water tourism destinations in Latvia. The river attracts tourists with comparatively untouched primeval valley and nature resources in this territory. 17

18 Hiking in Gauja National Park  Hiking together with Gauja NP nature guides or specialists. Very close link to nature. The routes are not marked, the paths, camp sites and rest places are not established. Possibilities – nearly in the whole territory of Gauja NP, excepting the nature reserve zone. 18

19 Hiking in Gauja National Park  Hikes along established trails for tourists. Without guidance. The routs are marked with signs and information boards. There are view points, benches, steps and established camp sites along the trails.  In the territory of Gauja NP there are approximately 100km of maintained trails by Sietiņiezis rock, Ērgļi cliffs, Zvārtes rock, in Līgatne Nature trails, in the vicinity of Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda. 19

20 Hiking in Gauja National Park  Hiking together with guides along the trails leading to various leading to various culture-historical objects: to Ungurmuiža manor in Raiskuma parish of the Cēsis region, to the vicinity of Āraiši Museum- park, to Turaida Museum Reserve and to the vicinity of Krimulda vicarage. 20

21 Mountain bike tourism route in Sigulda town 21

22 Other Activities  Every year Gauja National Park hosts several events linked to getting acquainted with nature’s values and cultural heritage. 22

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24 Development of Gauja National Park  Projects financed by Latvian Environmental Protection Fund : event organization in Gauja National Park, management and improvement/(labiekārtošana)... of different nature and other objects in the territory.  Several projects co-financed by the national programmes of the European Regional Development fund are carried out to promote sustainable tourism in Gauja National Park.  One of them- Nature Education Centre in Sigulda. It is planned to open the centre in

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26 Development of Gauja National Park  The main goals of the Nature Education Centre are:  To give qualitative tourism and environmental information;  To educate society about nature protection and involve in the work of nature protection.

27 BAT – a symbol of Gauja NP

28 Basic facts Total area91 745ha Total extent of the Gauja NP boundaries250km Total length of different roads1800km Length of the Gauja River in the territory of Gauja NP93.5km Width of the Gauja valley0.8–2.5km Maximal depth of the Gauja valley85m Tributaries of the Gauja River13 Lakes33 Forests47% Agricultural land37% Mires4% Body of water 3% Monuments of culture and histor ~540 Geological monuments50 Vascular plant species ~ 876 Bird species ~163 Mammal species 48 Marked paths for hiking more than 100km Water tourist campsites on the banks of the Gauja River and its tributaries~ 20 Campsites for visitors with cars GAUJA NATIONAL PARK