When I travelled the Baltics I stayed in Latvia’s capital, Riga. From Riga I took a day trip to Sigulda by train and then walked to the national park. I got a bit confused by the ski resort as there is a cable car and I wasn’t sure how to get to the bridge to cross the river. I legged it down the bank and found my way to the bridge but I would advise trying to find a path!
![Bridge at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030173.jpg)
This is the bridge that goes to the woods to cross the river.
![Cable car at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030174.jpg)
This is the cable car if you fancy a view from above.
![Tree gnawed by beaver at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030175.jpg)
A sure sign of the beaver gnawing the trees! This incredible animal is most active at dawn and dusk so keep your eyes peeled.
![Wooden bridge at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030176.jpg)
This quaint wooden bridge crosses the ditch. The pathways are well trodden by visitors but I did not see many people.
![Trees at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030179.jpg)
The trees are tall and the light filters through them.
![Toad at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030181.jpg)
I came across this toad so it is well worth keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife along the paths.
![Bird box at Gauja National Park](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030183.jpg)
You can see there is a bird box for water birds to live in!
![Gauja National Park, Sigulda](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030187.jpg)
There are thick grasses below the forest canopy.
![Graffiti at Gauja National Park, Sigulda](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030191.jpg)
There are many signs of people in this contained wilderness. The softness of several of the exposed rock walls have been carved into by various implements over the years.
![Abandoned building, Gauja National Park, Sigulda](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030182.jpg)
There are ruined buildings.
![Graffiti at Gauja National Park, Sigulda](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030184.jpg)
And tree roots fighting through the etchings looking for water.
![Graffiti at Gauja National Park, Sigulda](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2007_05030190.jpg)
It is impossible to separate human beings from nature, as Gauja National Park shows. Sigulda’s gem and a sanctuary from the city. Take advantage of this accessible wilderness, complete with its beavers, birds, amphibians and neanderthal graffiti.
Never has a national park in Europe been so easy to discover.
Latvia looks stunning 🙂