Ligatne Nature Trails

Set in the sandstone forest of the Gauja valley, the Ligatne trails let you walk a wooded loop past large enclosures holding the wild animals of Latvia - brown bears, lynx, wolves, deer and bison. It is part zoo, part forest walk, in a genuinely beautiful valley setting.

What you'll find

• Brown bears and lynx - Latvia's large predators in big forest enclosures.
• Wolves, deer and bison - the country's native large mammals along the trail.
• The sandstone valley - the enclosures sit among Gauja cliffs and pine.
• A viewing tower - overlooking the valley from the trail.

When to go

Spring and summer for active animals; drive or walk the loop, which can be done on foot or slowly by car. Feeding times bring the animals out.

Before you go

The animals are in enclosures, so this is a wildlife park rather than a chance encounter, and the enclosures are large but still enclosures. It suits families and anyone who wants a near-guaranteed look at Latvia's fauna. Weekends are busier.

Nearby

The Ligatne paper-mill village and Soviet secret bunker are close; Sigulda and Cesis anchor the rest of the Gauja park.