Sigulda offers a variety of ways to experience its landscape, architectural history and activities. To start planning your stay, consider what interests you most: walking trails along the Gauja Valley, historic buildings or active pursuits such as the cable car, bobsleigh track and cycling route.
Walking Trails and Gauja Landscape
A walking trail in Sigulda connects the Gauja Valley with Šveices iela near the Sigulda Art School “Baltais flīģelis”. The trail was restored on October 11, 2023. Gūtmaņala is 18.8 metres long, 12 metres wide and up to 10 metres high. Its walls preserve the oldest inscriptions, dating from the 17th century. The surrounding area is suitable for relaxed walks; you can also observe plants and possibly animals.
At Paradīzes kalns, the Gauja Valley and the Gauja, 80 metres below, define the landscape. The hill is about a 30-minute walk from the centre of Sigulda, with access via level nature trails. Trail conditions may change. Gleznotājkalns is another name for Paradīzes kalns: it came about because J. Feders, J. Rozentāls and V. Purvītis painted the landscape at this location.
Castles and Architectural History
The 42-hectare Turaida Museum Reserve contains archaeological, architectural, historical and art-historical monuments. They tell the story of events spanning more than a thousand years, beginning in the 11th century. Construction of Turaida’s stone castle began in 1214 on the site of a former wooden castle belonging to the Liv leader Kaupo, which had been burned down in fighting. Another castle has a construction date of 1207: that year, work began on the castle of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in Sigulda.
Siguldas Jaunā pils takes you into a later period of architectural history. It was built between 1878 and 1881 as a summer residence for the Kropotkin family and is a state-protected monument of architectural significance. Its national romantic interior has been preserved to this day and was restored from 2017 to 2021. In Sigulda, medieval castle history and a building from the late 19th century stand side by side as distinct historical perspectives.
Cable Car, Bobsleigh and Cycling Route
A ride on the Sigulda cable car crosses the Gauja Valley and offers views extending several kilometres across the landscape. The “Sigulda” Bobsleigh and Luge Track offers summer-bob rides during the warmer months; in winter, the options include Vučko, skeleton bobsleigh or ice rafting. At Tarzāns Adventure Park, the high ropes obstacle course has 11 courses with more than 140 obstacles arranged in trees at heights of up to 20 metres.
For a cycling trip, the Sigulda–Murjāņi–Sigulda route is a specific option: it is 30.2 kilometres long. The seasonal bobsleigh track rides and Tarzāns Park operating details may change; conditions on the cycling route may also vary. The activities differ considerably in format—from a ride across the valley to a cycling route or high ropes course. This lets you choose based on what you would like to experience in Sigulda.
Discover more destinations: Allaži, More.
Return to the main travel overview: Siguldas Novads.
