Ligatne

Ligatne (Latvian: Līgatne) is a town in Gauja National Park in Latvia.

Understand
Ligatne is fairly well known for its nature trails, with a great natural park with wildlife animals and "fairy tale" forests with characters from famous Latvian fairy tales. Nearby, also an old Soviet bunker complex can be visited, which was built in case of a nuclear war.

Also, see the official website: http://www.visitligatne.lv



By bus
From Riga, take a coach from the main bus station to Augsligatne, about 90 minutes (on the way to Cēsis). A local bus takes you the last 6 km to Ligatne, or just hitch-hike.

There are also at least two direct buses between Ligatne (including Skalupes) and Cēsis, one around noon and one in the late afternoon.

See: 1188.lv

By car
From Riga, take the Cēsis road (Brivibas iela) out. Augsligatne is 17 km after Sigulda, and Ligatne is 6 km down a road to the left after Augsligatne.

Get around
Everything in Ligatne is basically within walking distance. Nevertheless, you may wish to take a taxi, bus or hitch to the ex-Soviet bunker at Skalupes (4 km). But also hiking there through the forest is possible.

See



 * Līgatne village with peculiar 19th century wooden architecture.
 * Līgatne nature reservation, where you may encounter bears, lynx, moose/elk, European bison, roe deer and red deer as well as many species of birds, safely behind a fence. Inquire at the Tourist Information Centre.
 * Zvartes rock, forest trail and Witches' Meadow on the banks of the Amata River.
 * Zvartes rock, forest trail and Witches' Meadow on the banks of the Amata River.
 * Zvartes rock, forest trail and Witches' Meadow on the banks of the Amata River.
 * Zvartes rock, forest trail and Witches' Meadow on the banks of the Amata River.

Do

 * Canoeing
 * Skiing
 * Canoeing
 * Skiing
 * Skiing

Go next

 * Underground Lakes about 15 km north, see Vidzeme.
 * Sigulda – A town with many interesting castles and historic points of interest. Probably, the most popular destination outside of Riga for foreign tourists, also due to its closeness.
 * Cēsis – One of the country's oldest towns. It has an impressive castle complex of Livonian Order origin, a charming city centre with some cobblestoned streets, and historic wooden buildings.
 * Riga