Activities

The 127 m high Zilaiskalns is a powerful holy place, which is located at the central crosspoint between at least two currents of fire, while four currents of fire cross on Zilaiskalns, while 14 man-made energy circles and one circle of fire are arranged around the crosspoint where these current meet. The centre of this powerful place is marked at the summit of Zilaiskalns, which is where the flow of energy is at its greatest. Excursions around Zilaiskalns are offered by guide Olga Golubeva.

Wrapped in legends and stories, Zilaiskalns is a symbol of the nation’s freedom and immortality. Even today, it is a place where you can get up and rejuvenate. The hill was a special holy place for the ancient people, because there they celebrated their honor and performed ancient rituals. The festivities are still celebrated here, but the community’s understanding of the traditions and significance of this place has changed over time. Legend has it that many scientists and namesakes lived in the vicinity of Zilaiskalns, one of the most recognizable – Marta of Zilaiskalns.

So, why the name – Zilaiskalns? The name itself indicates that the word Zilaiskalns is related to the root of the noun sil or zil, which is related to the word fortune or sila – force (in Russian). It is believed that the adjective zils (blue), which describes the veil of blue mist around the hill created by the surrounding bogs, has had less of an effect on the name of the hill. However, it is natural that the blue color also dominates here in the spring, when the hill trails are decorated with a carpet of blue water lilies.

Climbing the 127 m high hill, at the top of it you will see the intersection of fire veins, surrounded by a circle of 14 energies and 1 ring of fire, but at the entrance you will notice the ancient Sacrificial Stone (Upurakmens). An unpolished bowl-shaped cavity is carved into the small (90 x 60 cm) Sacrificial Stone, which rises only 30 cm above the ground. According to legends, a pastor once pushed a stone down the hill.

There is also a viewing platform in the Imanta hill at the top of Zilaiskalns, from where you can turn to the landscape of the hillside.

At the foot of the hill is the Zilaiskalns cultural history and visitor center ZTornis, where you can get to know the history of the village, climb over the hill and look at the historical narrow-gauge railway locomotive with the help of virtual reality, buy souvenirs and get tourist information about travelling opportunities in Valmiera.

It is also possible to climb the hill along the 3 km long circular path Along the Footsteps of the Lynx (Lūsim pa pēdām). The path starts from the ZTornis.

A ride with the rail bicycle will be an exciting and active adventure for both children and adults. The route leads along the narrow-gauge railway branch from Zilākalns village to the peat bog and its total length is ~ 4 km.

The bike seats up to four people at the same time – two on the pedals, two sitting in the passenger seat. Four such bicycles are available, so up to 16 people can travel at the same time. Two child seats can be fitted to each bike.

Duration of the ride ~ 60 min

The ride must be booked in advance!

Purezers trail is located near Puikule. For those who have not heard anything about Puikule so far, Puikule is located in Vidzeme, between Limbaћi and Aloja.

On the road from Limbaћi to Puikule, you enter the center of Puikule, and on the opposite side of the park there is a paved road V-123 to Urga (Braslava). Follow this road for about 3 km (keep driving even when the paved road ends) and you will see a sign on your right pointing to the Purezers trail.

On the road Valmiera – Aloja – Ainaћi, in the village Urga turn to the road by the Urga mill lake to Puikule. Keep driving for about 4.5 km and you will see the sign to the Purezers trail.

I found this road using WAZE. When I asked WAZE app in Puikule to find me Purezers trail, it told me that I should take the Riekstu road from Puikule – Urga road. Riekstu road is a wide gravel road built by the Latvian State Forests, leading about 3 km to a small parking lot, where you will see a sign to the beginning of Purezers trail.

Purezers trail winds through pine forest around the lake. Wooden boardwalks are built over the wettest areas, with metal wire mesh to keep feet from slipping. The boardwalks are quite narrow, only two-board wide, so this path is not suitable for baby strollers. The first half kilometer is a warm-up – it’s a trail through the woods from the parking lot to the lake.

A fast and carefree walk can be slowed down by the roots of the trees crossing the path above the ground. Be careful and watch your step to avoid tripping. But there are places with beautiful lake views where you can stop and take your time to enjoy the nature while taking a look at the additional information displayed on many information stands. Some interesting facts about bogs were new for me.

Part of the Purezers trail goes through a bog island. To get there, you have to cross bridges over a particularly wet swamp area, with its characteristic plants and landscape.

Two platforms are built over the water on the opposite side of Purezers. They have a plank floor, railings and benches, and also a special place for a campfire. If you want to take it easy and enjoy the nature, this is a nice spot for a lunch break.

People who have a better sense of smell than me say that this pine forest has a different smell than most other pine forests. This is probably because of the bog and the lake.

The entire route around the lake, measured from the Riekstu road parking lot, totals approximately 3.2 km. Walking time? It depends on the purpose of the walk, your mood and your companions.

The Mini Zoo Mežiņi is a Latvian rural craft and animal farm. Here you can see, hug and feed a wide variety of pets and poultry. Rare Angora rabbits are bred in the Angora house, while the pride of the farm – Latvian sugar chickens – live in the Sugar park. Every guest will be warmly welcomed by the residents of the Rabbit village, while the hens with their chicks walk freely in the yard. Dogs and cats occasionally offer their friendship. In one of the paddocks you will meet the alpacas, but in another you will meet even a more exotic animal.

In the workshop of the Mini Zoo Mežiņi the hostess Inguna will introduce to the process of processing Angora rabbit wool from rabbit shearing to wool spinning. You can both watch and participate.

Animals can only be fed with food purchased on the farm.

You can see and buy a variety of knits from farm wool, rabbit and alpaca wool on site.

It is possible to book a pony ride (maximum child weight: 25 kg).

The visit must be booked in advance.

The adventure company Timemachine offers various entertaining and cohesive team games for both children and adults.

Adventure game Dinozauru paslēpes (“Dinosaur hide and seek”)

During the game, you have to find 24 places described in a special story, where virtual dinosaurs are hidden in the beautiful Valmiera area along the river Gauja – in the Krāču kakts. The game is designed to be attractive to both adults and children. During the game, each team must have at least one smart device with an internet connection and location detection (GPS) turned on. The team that finds the most dinosaurs at the set time (agreed in advance) wins

Recommended team size: 2 – 4 people. The game can be played by an unlimited number of teams at the same time.

Recommended duration of the game ~  50 – 70 min.

The adventure starts at the leisure place Krāču kakta Šķūnis (Krāču street 2, Valmiera).

During the year’s warmest months the leisure place Krāču kakta Šķūnis offers meals, games of throwing darts, to take photos by at the antique ZAZ car,  JAWA motorcycle with sidecar, enjoy your time after the game, as well as to organize other activities. Catering services by prior arrangement.

Escape room game Baiļu māja (“House of Fear”) (V-IX) *

Blindfolded and sent to go into a dark, abandoned building and not know where to get out, what to do or what will happen to you. The only thing that can help is instincts, the desire to get into light and freedom without thinking about the fear that lurks around every corner. To get out of the abandoned building during the game you have to complete various logic and easy technical tasks.

Recommended team size: 3 – 6 players. You can participate in the game from the age of 16 (younger players need written parental permission). Game duration up to 70 min.

Starting point: Cēsu street 46, Valmiera

The game must be booked in advance!

In the farm Silkalni, located at the Gauja National Park, it is possible to get to know various medicinal plants, participate in the collection process and learn to use them to improve health, as well as in the daily diet. During the visit, the hostess Zeltīte Kaviere offers to taste teas, syrups and tinctures.

Workshops:

• Katram savu zāļu tēju! (Herbal tea for everyone!) (from the offered 15-20 plants it is possible to mix herbs for a tea to take with you)
• Manas zāļu zintis (My herbs) (in the lesson learn to make 2 types of tinctures, 2 types of syrups, 3 types of oils, 2 types of ointments, scrubs, lotions, herbal use in inhalations, baths and saunas)
• Puķu zīlēšana (Flower divination) (individual conversation about what the guest’s chosen plants tell about the present and the future)

Local products can be purchased on site. The visit must be booked in advance!

Meldri is located in a beautiful forest in the Gauja National Park, near lake Vaidava. Here you can stay in a guest house, where you its possible to accommodate up to 10 people in 2 rooms, set up your own tent, use the picnic area, as well as warm up in the sauna or hot tub under the open sky.

Here you can see old tools, mechanisms and other objects with the breath of antiquity, as well as listen to a story about their principles of operation and application. Tours and antique collections are only available on weekends and by prior arrangement.

Viks fairytale characters have been bringing joy to children (and adults, too) since the 1980s. Viks (Viktors Kalniтр) has won several literary prizes and awards.

Viks fairytale park features 28 of Viks fairytale characters. Ness and Nessie, the Mud Dwarf and other characters live here. Kids will also find Changaroo, who has been loved by visitors since day one.

After your walk among the wooden fairytale characters made by Rыrвns brothers, you can have a picnic in a special rest area next to the park. Children will have a lot of fun on the playground, where they can climb all over the specially designed wooden figures.

The Barrel Museum is located in a beautifully maintained country house 17 km from Valmiera and only 1 km from the A2 highway Valmiera-Riga. Here you can look at oak barrels and the tools of ancient coopers, as well as take part in the creation of barrels with master Jānis, discovering the secrets of their making. The owners of the museum are honoured to maintain the label “Latvian heritage” because all the ancient craftsmen tools and methods are used in the process of making barrels.

Here you can celebrate a festive event, anniversary or simply enjoy a group excursion by booking a barrel making demonstration. In addition, you will take an active part in this process and get the created barrel! It is also possible to order a barrel demonstration performance at a desired location and event.

Groups of school children are very welcome here allowing children to express their mastery.

Various programs are offered:

• Small program – the barrel making process is shown without boiling the barrel, the opportunity to try the ancient tools (~1.5 h)
• Birthday program – in addition to the small program offer, guests are given various tasks related to barrels (~2.5 h)
• Big program – in addition to the small program offer, the barrel is boiled and tightened, as well as all the steps in barrel making are explored more deeply and completely (3.5-4 h)
• Wedding program and Bachelor program – the bride and groom are given various tasks related to barrel making. Guests can follow the barrel making process enriched by a good dose of humour (duration starting from 1 h)

The visit requires prior arrangement!

The first Latvian Song Festival took place in the summer of 1864 in the Mвcоtвjmuiюa grove near Neikenkalniтр, Dikпi.

It was organized by Juris Neikens, who was also a well-known pastor, writer, teacher and organizer of educational activities.

The Song Festival was very popular, and in the following years it was held in Rыjiena and Bauтi.

Over the years, the importance of the festival grew until it became the first Nationwide Latvian Song Festival, which was held in Riga in 1873. This year a monument to the first regional Song Festival was unveiled near Neikenkalns.

State archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2416). The first stone of this type discovered in the territory of Latvia that has been granted the heritage status. In 1925 it was discovered by a researcher A. Štāls. It is remarkable due to its 32 roundish conical hollows on the surface (diameter up to 15 cm, depth up to 7 cm) that are typical for cult stones widespread in Northern Europe. It is believed that in the second half of the 1st millennium BC at such stones the rituals of the dead and fertility were held. Other versions about the usage of hollows are as follows: for placing offerings, for astronomical observations, that the stone was used as a peculiar musical instrument, as well as for acquiring powder for healing needs. Dating — from the Stone Age to the Medieval Age (J. Urtāns. 1990. Footprint Stones, Boundary Stones, Trough Stones (Pēdakmeņi, robežakmeņi, muldakmeņi)). The dimensions of the stone: length of 4 m, width of 2.8 m, and height of 1.4 m. Other nearby objects: Dikļi, Burtnieki Lake, Mellači Stone. Situated within the territory of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve.

While visiting the small family winery, the hospitable hosts will introduce you to the different colors, aromas, flavors and variety of wines and vermouths of Latvian berries and fruits. Delicious drinks are available to choose from. During the visit you will be able to use your taste recognition skills, trying to determine the ingredients of vermouth tincture, as well as visit the home winery.

The offer for festive moments with friends and a stop during a wedding:

• Wine tasting with matching snacks;
• Wine laboratory with the possibility to create your own wine;
• Wine and chocolate truffle tasting;
• The Boles party.

Wines and vermouths can be bought on site. The visit must be booked in advance!

While visiting the Medus Kāre farm, you can explore the world of bees by watching them in the apiary and hives. The stories of the owner Valdis and a video about the life of bees will allow us to understand the great importance of honey in our diet, health and everyday life. It will be worth to look into the pre-processing plant of beekeeping products and get to know the process of wax candle casting. The option to order hot drinks and pancakes will be available, which will go well with the tasting of beekeeping products.

The offer includes the possibility to order a vocal concert and a lecture on healthy lifestyle.

Duration of visit ~1,5h

Maximum number of visitors: 50

Local products can be purchased on site. It is necessary to coordinate the visit and the desired program in advance!

Vaidava Ceramics is a family company, which has been producing beatiful and functional design dishes from pure Latvian clay since 1980. The dishes are made up of 15 master craftsmen with many years of experience. Everything is done by hand – from labor-intensive preparation of Latvian red clay to careful packaging of products. The process and technique of creation has remained unchanged for decades. Groups of guests and visitors can go on a tour of the factory, get to know the process of making dishes and create a pottery with their own hands. Creative pottery workshops take place together with the Vaidavas Keramiste team and are organized outdoors from May to September. At other times, workshops can be organized in the room and place of your choice. Apply for workshops by phone +371 25208464 or e-mail keramiste@vaidava.lv.

The factory shop is open during the visit. The visit must be booked in advance!

Minimum number of visitors: 5

Maximum number of visitors: 12

The stud-farm “Zirgaudzetava Koceni” offers everyone not only the first riding skills or entertaining driving by carriages but it also provide you by serious opportunities to go in for equestrian sport and possibilities to obtain a horse that would be appropriate for your needs and wishes. We also offer the hall, stalls, changing rooms and a lounge. You can entertain your quests and tourists, you can organize events for your firms and companies. You are welcome to Koceni district “Zirgaudzetava Koceni” . More detailed information you might find in this homepage.

Sietiņiezis Rock reveals sandstone formations and ornaments, which have formed over millions of years of natural processes!
The rock is like a luxurious, beautiful and bright sandstone castle designed by nature itself. It has formed over millions of years of natural processes, which are still at work today, shaping the face of Sietiņiezis (Strainer) Rock.

Sietiņiezis Rock is very diverse — it has an arch in the making, a huge pillar, a cave with two exits, high cliffs and nooks.

Its sandstone surface is dotted with tiny holes that distinguish Sietiņiezis Rock from other rocks.

It is the similarity to a strainer that gave way to the rock’s name.

As the rock preserves the heat of the sun, a species of wild ground bees have chosen it as their home. The little holes were created by these bees, which constantly buzz in an out of them!

According to a legend, the cave with two exits was home to Devil himself; therefore, it is called Velnala (Devil’s) Cave.The biggest sandstone protrusion is found in the southern part of Sietiņiezis Rock and is called the Devil’s Heel, as this is where the Devil kicked off from to jump across the river. Other legends have it that the Devil was furious with the owner of Liepas Manor on the opposite side of the river and wanted to roll this protrusion in front of the manor door. However, that morning the rooster crowed early and the Devil could not carry out his plan.

On your walk on the trails and stairs, you will feel just like a prehistoric ruler, drawing inspiration and new ideas from this charming natural formation.

The highest point of Sietiņiezis Rock, the tower of this natural castle, offers a picturesque view to the beautiful blue ribbon below that is the river, adorned with bright green lace of tree branches.

The Park of Senses is located in one of the most picturesque places in Valmiera on the banks of the river Gauja. Here you can turn a walk in the fresh air along the steep bank of the Gauja, surrounded by pine trees, into a great adventure, enjoying the versatile offer of the park.

Baskāju taka (Barefeet trail)

Walking along the 2 km long barefeet trail, you can feel the pleasant range of emotions created by foot massage, walking along the trail surfaces such as bark mulch, pebbles, cones, clay, glass balls, chestnuts and other natural materials. The trail is also supplemented with various elements of agility.

Children’s trail in the trees

The smallest visitors to the Senses Park are invited to go on an adventure along the trail in the trees, which is specially adapted for children from the age of one (under the supervision of adults). The trail is equipped with a continuous safety system, 9 obstacles to overcome and 3 zip lines. The trail can be recommended if the big trail in the trees seems too complicated or scary. The length of the trail is 110 m and the height is 1.4 m. Maximum height – 120 cm, weight – 30 kg.

Taka kokos (“Trail in the trees”)

The trail in the trees is 1,5 km long, 5 -11 meters high challenge with 4 cable rides over the river Gauja. The track is not very difficult, but it has some more difficult sections, which are designed specifically for adrenaline hunters. The trail is equipped with a continuous safety system, with the help of which it is not possible to uncouple yourself from the safety rope during the visit.

Tīklu kubs (“Net Cube”) The “Net Cube” is a fun entertainment for anyone interested, as it is available without age restrictions. It is a 7x7x7 meter wide net surrounded zone on three floors, connected by labyrinths with various climbing elements. On the 3rd floor there is an additional net, which serves both as a comfortable sleeping area and as a trampoline for more adventurous holidaymakers.

The Gauja river tram is a vehicle for entertainment and excursion trips along the Gauja, which on certain public times takes you on trips, allowing you to get to know the most significant sights of Valmiera from the main street of Valmiera – the river Gauja (in the section between the Kazu rapids and the Iron bridge). Its home, as well as the only starting and ending stop, is a boat dock in the old town of Valmiera. The tram is run by a guide, who makes the lazy leisure trip more exciting, supplementing it with various stories about Valmiera.

Duration of the ride ~ 45 min.

Maximum occupancy: 25 adults, with children up to 30.

The Wooden Sculpture Park in Beverīna is located 11 km from Valmiera and is a real paradise, where sincere laughter sounds and people’s eyes shine with joy in life. The 2.5-hectare open-air recreation park with more than 80 different large-format outdoor games and attractions, 6 labyrinths (the largest of which is available from the age of 18) and more than 370 wooden sculptures will appeal to both children and adults.

Here you can wander through various mazes, put together wooden puzzles, play outdoor bowling, get spooked by the horror in the maze of the forest, test your mind and dexterity by playing various interesting and exciting wooden games, swinging, relaxing in the fresh air, climbing the lookout tower, capturing photos and not only.

Time required for the visit ~ 2h

Valmiera’s oldest wooden building coexists with new, modern architecture in the oldest part of the Old Town – the castle area. The Valmiera Museum is surrounded by the castle walls. In addition to its rich historical collection, it displays current art exhibitions.

The new De Woldemer exhibition in the museum takes its visitors into the history of old Valmiera. You will learn the history of the medieval town and castle, the world view of the residents of Valmiera of the past, the greatness of the Hanseatic merchants and the skills of the craftsmen. You can explore the exhibition on your own or take a guided tour.

De Woldemer building also houses the Valmiera Tourist Information Center, where you can buy various souvenirs with symbols of Valmiera and the Valmiera region.