Sigulda, Krimulda and Turaida

Sigulda is a great option for a day trip from Riga. In a small area there is a huge number of attractions. It's a paradise hikers and this place has left the best impression of Latvia.

From the railway station of Sigulda follow the beautiful Raina street.








Go to the intersection with the Cesu street where starts descent to the river. To the left is a park with walking sticks, cable car and a wooden staircase to the river. To the right is a Lutheran church, a palace and a castle. At first, we took pictures of the church.


Then, watched the palace (1878-1881), the castle (1207-1226) and went to the Sigulda cable car.




On the way, visited the park with walking sticks, a symbol of Sigulda.




The cable car, the only one in the Baltic States, is open from 10 am (timetable), 5 euros one way.





The second station is in Krimulda. Here is an old Palace (XIX c., http://www.krimuldaspils.lv) and the various ancient buildings, the whole village.














Next, we headed in the direction of Turaida castle. Passed near ruins of Krimulda castle (XIII century), they are a step away from the cable car station.


Then, got down by the wooden stairs. In general, the hiking trails here are well-equipped.




Continue along the lakes and visited several caves, the main of which Gutman's Cave, the largest in the Baltic States. Although for experienced travelers, it looks funny :)


After the cave, walking trail is interrupted and you need to walk up the road for about 700 meters. Turaida castle (formerly Treiden castle, http://www.turaida-muzejs.lv/) has been restored since 1953.






Around the castle is an architectural reserve with a lot of interesting buildings.


Stone park is popular with the tourists from Japan.




Back from the castle to Sigulda we wanted to get by taxi or bus, but on this day there was an international mountain bike cup and all the roads were closed. So we got to Sigulda by foot, climbing the wooden stairs from the bridge over the river.


Getting to Sigulda: by train or bus from Riga, travel time abount an hour, one way ticket costs ~2.5 euro, schedule is here.