The Amata Trail in the Gauja National Park is an incredible place for walks and nature discovery, exploring one of Latvia’s deepest river valleys. The hiking trail invites you to discover the River Amata, one of the cleanest, roughest, and most rapid tributaries of the River Gauja. The river’s name is taken from the Livonian word “Amada” meaning “rapid”.
The Amata Trail is an excellent location for hiking, relaxation and nature studies. The River Amata flows through an ancient valley with steep (up to 45m high) sandstone and dolomite banks. The 12–21km long trail and 6-8-hour long walk will allow you to enjoy the purity of nature and rock formations from the Devonian period. The ancient valley of the Amata is one of the deepest and most unique of Vidzeme’s river valleys.
The trail extends along the right bank of the River Amata, from the Vidzeme highway bridge next to Melturi along the “Kārļamuiža Country Hotel” and Zvartes rock up to the tourist rest stop near the Veclauci bridge on Karli-Ligatne road. The Amata Trail consists of several stages.
The first stage spans from Melturi bridge to the hotel territory. At this stage, some of the tree trunks are marked with orange paint, but the trail is not development. This stage of the trail is complicated and suited only for experienced lovers of nature.
The second stage of the trail extends from Karli to Zvartes rock. We recommend starting your hike from the “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”. Hikers may come by car or by foot, and you may leave your vehicle in the hotel parking lot. We recommend arranging for transportation at the end of the trail or asking the hotel personnel to provide a ride back. From the hotel, the trail goes through the Karlamuiza landscape park and along the right bank of the river Amata, from Ainavu precipice to Zvartes rock.
The third stage of the trail goes from Zvartes rock to Veclauci bridge.
The Amata Trail is not suitable for bicycles.
www.karlamuiza.lv
The trail consists of three stages of various difficulty and scenery. The trail will introduce you to a lot of rocks that differ from one another by the patterns of sand, legends associated with them, and their surroundings.
The easiest stage is from Veclauči bridge to Zvārtes Rock (3 km). Here you will see fiery red Devonian period sandstone outcrops and a plethora of rocks: the primeval Vanagu Rock, the fascinating Lustūzis, the picturesque Miglas Rock and many more. This stage ends in a meadow with a well-maintained leisure place and the unique Zvārtes Rock nearby.
The longest stage with three steep ascents is from Kārļu bridge to Zvārtes Rock (12 km). The route begins by the marvellous Ainavu Cliff at the height of more than 40 meters. On this route you will see several rocks: Ķaubju, Stūķu and Dzilnas Rock, and at the very end of the trail – the mysterious Zvārtes Rock.
The most difficult stage is from Melturi to Kārļu Fish Farm (3 km), which is fit for experienced hikers. On this route you will also see several rocks: Melturu, Īļaku and Vizuļu Rock, Dolomītu Cliff, Dambja Rock, Staburags, and the rock with the beautiful name Varavīksnes (Rainbow) Rock.
www.entergauja.com