You don't need to fly halfway around the world for an adrenaline rush — Latvia has sandstone cliffs, river valleys, treetop obstacle courses at 20 metres, and freefall from 4,000 metres, all within an hour of Riga. This guide covers 7 real adventure ideas with specific places, prices, and practical tips.
Contents
- 1. Hiking in Gauja National Park
- 2. Paddling Latvia's Rivers
- 3. Cycling Through Nature
- 4. Adventure Parks & Treetop Courses
- 5. Skydiving from 4,000m
- 6. Camping & Sleeping Outdoors
- 7. Winter Adventures
| Adventure | Price | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | Free | Year-round | Everyone |
| Paddling | €49–149 | May–Oct | Beginners+ |
| Cycling | €0–40/day | Apr–Oct | Everyone |
| Adventure parks | €10–22 | Apr–Oct | Families, groups |
| Skydiving | €239–490 | Apr–Oct | 18+ (16+ with consent) |
| Camping | €5–25/night | May–Sep | Everyone |
| Winter sports | €10–50 | Dec–Mar | Everyone |
1. Hiking in Gauja National Park
Gauja National Park (917 km²) is Latvia's largest and one of Europe's most scenic nature reserves. Riga to Sigulda takes 50 minutes by car. The park has over 50 marked trails, most of them free.
Sigulda – Velnalas Cliffs (9 km, 3–4 h) — the park's most popular trail. Sandstone walls, caves, and wooden boardwalks along the Gauja valley. Starts and ends at a free car park.
Gutman's Cave – Turaida – Sigulda (6.5 km, 2 h) — Gutman's Cave is the largest in the Baltics (18.8 m wide). The trail also passes Turaida Castle and the ruins of Sigulda Castle. Great for families.
Zvārte Rock on the Amata River (6.5 km, 1.5 h) — a striking dolomite outcrop that looks like a natural amphitheatre. Easy trail, suitable for all ages.
Cīrulīši Nature Trails, Cēsis (3.5 km, 1 h) — wooden boardwalks, Eagle Cliffs (Ērgļu klintis) — the largest sandstone outcrop in the Gauja valley. Perfect for families with children.
Beyond Gauja, also worth exploring: Ķemeri National Park (the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk), Slītere National Park (wild Baltic coastline), and the Liepāja lake trails.
💡 Tip: Download an offline map before heading out — mobile coverage in forests can be patchy. Bring water, insect repellent in summer, and shoes with good grip.
2. Paddling Latvia's Rivers
The Gauja is Latvia's most popular river for water tourism — calm with small rapids, suitable for beginners and families. The stretch from Cēsis to Sigulda (~39 km) passes sandstone cliffs, caves, and castle views.
Cēsis – Līgatne (~20 km, 1 day) — the richest section for sandstone outcrops, including Sietiņiezis — the largest white sandstone cliff in the Baltics (15 m high, 400 m wide).
Līgatne – Sigulda (~21 km, 1 day) — the most scenic valley section with views of Turaida Castle and Sigulda Castle ruins.
Abava — a winding river in Kurzeme with rapids and scenic viewpoints. More challenging than the Gauja.
Salaca — a peaceful river in northern Vidzeme, popular with nature enthusiasts.
Prices: Canoe for two from €49–69/day. Raft for a group (8 people) from €149. Price usually includes equipment and transport to the starting point. Season: May–October.
💡 Tip: Camping in Gauja National Park is only allowed at designated sites. Always wear a life jacket and check water levels before your trip.
3. Cycling Through Nature
Latvia offers both flat coastal roads and hilly Vidzeme terrain — something for every cyclist. Country roads are quiet with minimal traffic.
Jūrmala Cycle Path (~25 km) — a flat route along the coast from Jūrmala towards Tukums. Ideal for beginners and families.
Sigulda – Turaida – Krimulda (15–20 km loop) — a Gauja valley loop with cultural stops and steep climbs. Medium difficulty.
Cēsis & surroundings (20–40 km) — rural roads with genuine Vidzeme Highland hills. E-bike rental available in Cēsis ("Elektro Eži" with GPS routes).
Kurzeme Coastal Road — a longer route from Ventspils to Kolka. Flat but windy.
Rentals: Regular bikes from ~€15–25/day. E-bikes from ~€25–40. Available in Sigulda, Cēsis, and Jūrmala.
💡 Tip: Vidzeme hills are steeper than they look on a map. If you're not a regular cyclist, start with an e-bike — you'll enjoy the scenery without the exhaustion.
4. Adventure Parks & Treetop Courses
Latvia has several serious adventure parks with treetop obstacle courses — great for families, friend groups, and team building events.
Tarzāns, Sigulda — the largest outdoor adventure park in the Baltics. 11 courses, over 140 obstacles up to 20 metres above the ground. 1.1 km of ziplines. Also features a bobsled-style luge track (up to 40 km/h), a catapult, and giant swings. Prices: adults €22, children 10–17 €18, 7–9 €14, 3–6 €10. Tarzāns also operates in Liepāja (300 m zipline over a lake), Jūrmala, Tērvete, and Daugavpils.
Mežakaķis, Sigulda & Riga — 80+ obstacles, 7 courses, climbing wall. Located in Sigulda and Riga's Mežaparks. Smaller and calmer than Tarzāns — a good choice for families with younger children.
Ozolkalns, Cēsis — Supervāvere adventure course (60+ obstacles). Also a ski resort in winter — a year-round activity complex.
Ventspils Adventure Park — Lemberga Hūte with ziplines, luge track, wake park, paintball, and a BMX track. A full day for the whole family in one place.
💡 Tip: Tarzāns in Sigulda can easily take a full day. Combine it with a hike in the Gauja valley or a visit to Turaida Castle — everything is within 10 minutes.
5. Skydiving from 4,000m
If hiking trails and treetop courses feel too tame, skydiving is on another level entirely. Skydive Latvia is based at Limbaži Airfield, ~1 h from Riga, and is the only operator in Latvia offering jumps from 5,500 metres.
Tandem Jump (€239) — from 4,000 m with a USPA-certified instructor. 60 seconds of freefall at 200 km/h, then ~5 minutes under the canopy with views of Vidzeme forests and the Gulf of Riga. No experience needed. Age 18+ (16+ with parental consent), max weight 105 kg.
Oxygen Jump (€490) — from 5,500 m with an oxygen mask. 90 seconds of freefall. The highest civilian tandem jump in Eastern Europe. Price includes everything: video, photos, special suit, oxygen equipment, certificate.
Season: April–October, Fri–Sun. Instructors with 2,000–3,000+ jumps. Gift cards with no expiration date — a perfect gift for someone who "already has everything."
💡 Tip: Limbaži Airfield is 40 min from Sigulda. Jump in the morning, then drive to Gauja National Park — the perfect adventure day.
6. Camping & Sleeping Outdoors
Camping is the cheapest way to spend a weekend in nature. Latvia has both official campsites with facilities and designated riverside rest stops for paddlers along the Gauja.
Gauja National Park — campgrounds along the Gauja (Žagarkalns near Cēsis, Sigulda Beach, and others). Ideal to combine with a canoe trip. ~€5–15/night for a tent spot.
Ķemeri National Park — surrounded by peat bogs and forests, close to Jūrmala. Combine with a walk on the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk.
Slītere National Park — Kurzeme's wildest coastline. Steep cliffs, old-growth forest, quiet.
Cape Kolka & the Liv Coast — where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga. One of Latvia's most iconic natural landmarks.
Best season: May–September. Bring: tent, sleeping bag, insect repellent, waterproof jacket, flashlight, fire starter.
💡 Tip: Wild camping in Latvia is only permitted at designated sites. National parks have strict rules — always check whether a specific location allows camping.
7. Winter Adventures
Latvia's winter adventures are less obvious, but they're real — from skiing to bobsled runs and snowmobiling.
Sigulda — home to the only bobsled and luge track in the Baltics. In winter you can ride the bobsled track with an instructor (~€50). Also has ski slopes.
Ozolkalns, Cēsis — the most popular ski resort in Vidzeme. Multiple runs, snow park, night skiing under lights.
Baiļi, Valdgale — skiing and snowboarding in Kurzeme.
Snowmobiling — available in several locations, most popular around Sigulda and Madona.
Cross-country skiing — Latvia excels at this. Groomed trails in Sigulda, Madona, and the Cēsis area.
💡 Tip: Winter activities in Latvia depend on snowfall — check conditions before driving out. The season typically runs December–March, but isn't guaranteed.
Ready for the Ultimate Adventure?
Tandem jump from 4,000m — €239. Oxygen Jump from 5,500m — €490. Limbaži Airfield, 1h from Riga.
TANDEM JUMP GIFT CARD📍 Limbaži Airfield | ✈️ Season: Apr–Oct | 🎁 Gift cards never expire
