Cēsu Novads: Ski hotels between slopes, nature and culture
Accommodation in Cēsu Novads
The Ozolkalns ski area has four slopes: a blue, a green, a red, and a children’s and practice slope. Each is up to 500 metres long; there is also a chairlift. For regional orientation, separate pages lead to Cēsis and Raiskums.
Winter activities
Beyond the ski area, paths, rivers and wooded landscapes shape Cēsu Novads. The Līgatne ferry crosses the Gauja using two connected boats and a wooden deck. It is moved by the current from one bank to the other along a cable stretched across the river and is the only ferry of its kind in the Baltics. The ferry operates daily, although technical or other unavoidable circumstances may cause exceptions.
Nature and landscape
More than 65% of Cēsu novads consists of forests, bodies of water, hills and cliffs. Gauja National Park also includes areas in Cēsu novads; overall, Cēsu novads has 49 natural monuments. On the banks of the Amata lies Zvārtes iezis, one of Latvia’s most beautiful reddish Devonian sandstone outcrops. Good views can be enjoyed both from the river and from the top of the rock.
The Cecīļi Nature Trail runs along the Kumada, Dančupīte and Amata rivers and includes a canyon, a small waterfall and the Cecīļi rock. The nature trails of Līgatne allow visitors to observe native wildlife and the Gauja valley in wooded landscapes shaped by ravines.
Culture and history
Cēsis has more than 800 years of history and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Baltics. Cēsu viduslaiku pils is an 800-year-old historical testimony and is one of Latvia’s best-preserved castle ruins. In summer, visitors can try medieval games and activities in the castle garden at weekends, learn old craft techniques and explore the medieval garden.
The Cēsis Museum was founded in 1925 and has more than 160,000 museum objects. Āraiši Archaeological Park contains the only reconstruction in Europe of a fortified settlement from the 9th to 10th centuries. It also offers a guided tour about the way of life and building traditions of the ancient Latgalians. Līstraupe Castle is the only castle in Latvia connected to a church within a single building.
Near the Melānija Vanaga Museum is a Siberian dugout, considered the only facility of its kind in Latvia. The museum shows a film about Melānija Vanaga, handwritten unpublished books, the writer’s personal belongings and the stories associated with them.
Paths and experiences
The Jaunpiebalga–Viņķu kalns circular route is 17 km long, of moderate difficulty and begins at Gaujas iela 21 in Jaunpiebalga. The cycling route leads through the Piebalga landscape and to the cultural and historical attractions in the centre of Jaunpiebalga. VeloTava in Jaunpiebalga can recommend and accompany individually tailored routes that include natural and cultural and historical attractions.
The cultural and historical trail through the paper mill village of Līgatne has a 3 km pedestrian route and a 1.8 km variant that can be travelled by bicycle and with a pushchair. The Līgatne Tourist Information Centre is located at Spriņģu iela 2 in Līgatne.
More than 200 animals live at Rakši Zoo, including camels, llamas, alpacas and lemurs. The zoo offers camel rides, walks with llamas, donkey-cart rides and the opportunity to feed lemurs through direct contact.
Water and regional cuisine
The Žagarkalns Boating Base rents canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, river catamarans, rafts and SUP boards for trips on the Gauja and Brasla. It also offers transfers from the campsite to the starting point or from the destination back to the starting point.
Latvijas Ķiploks offers a 1.5-hour guided tour of garlic production with a tasting. The Straupe Slow Food Market takes place in the historic Straupes zirgu pasts complex; the Straupes zirgu pasta virtuve is also located there.
Other destinations in the same regional context: Tukuma Novads, Engures Novads, Amatas Novads.
For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.
