This is a true "out in the nature" day, both - relaxing and active. Perfect for those looking for some outdoor adventure in countryside while conveniently close to Riga.
The activity includes a relaxing canoe trip on Gauja river in its first phase and a nice cycling trip afterwards.
Gauja river is undouptedly the favourite river for canoeing in Latvia with its unspoiled nature, many curves and easily navigable flow. Pure nature only 25-30 km from Riga city.
We will meet You at the finish line to exchange Your canoe for bicycles. The cycling route will mostly lead along the same Gauja river - on a scenic dam which follows almost every curve of the river. The route will start from Carnikava town and bring You through Adazi town - both offering some local cafes, shops and other amenities and places of interest a traveler could find useful.
Route maps for both - canoe and cycling - shall be provided and will include extra information on what to see on Your way.
Enjoy!
We will meet guests in camping „Leiputrija” where they can park their car and prepare for the trip: choose bicycles, try-on life jackets etc.
First phase of the adventure is a canoe trip starting in „Leiputrija”, passing Adazi town (on left), crossing the main highway (A1/E67) and finally finishing in Carnikava town – right by the local history museum.
This is where the second phase begins: the finnish line for canoe trip and the start for a cycling trip. We will meet You here and exchange Your canoe to bicycles. In Carnikava guests can have some lunch in one of local cafes/pizzerias/cantines as well as visit couple of places of interest – for example: a must-do for a cyclist is crossing the longest pedestrian bridge in Latvia (~1km) to see Gauja river from a different point of view. If it is August, one can also visit one of lamprey-baking households as Carnikava is considered "kingdom of lamprey fishing" of Latvia. The oldest wooden church of northern Latvia is also situated near.
Route between towns of Carnikava and Adazi is a beauty – an upcoming „Green ways” route that goes along the very bank of Gauja river, following its every turn. In Adazi town guests have a wide choice of having a lunch/dinner: there are about 10 small cafes/cantines/restaurants in Adazi, as well as some specialized small shops (artisan cheese maker’s shop „Soira” is one example).
Later on the path will cross the river and lead through picturesque pastures and a forest – back to „Leiputrija”.
Full cycle: waters, forests, meadows and towns. Canoeing below 4 bridges and afterwards crossing 2 of them. A full Gauja river experience.
In general: a trip of easy (canoe) to moderate (cycling) fitness level, safe, well-planned, but offering room for improvising (places to visit, places to stop by). No special boating experience is needed. Perfect for families with youngsters and for those looking for an active day-out in nature.
Boats: comfy and stable canoe boats which are suitable for 2 adults and will have enough place also for a youngster. The boat has a waterproof storage for belongings. Life jackets, paddles, bags for mobile devices and a route map will be provided. Bicycles: we have usual mountain-bikes and simple „urban-style” bicycles. Both will do for the trip, but guests can choose their prefered bicycles on place.
Distance in canoe: ~17 km (~4h)
Distance on a bike: ~18 km (~2-4h)
