Ieriķi offers two different ways to explore nature and history: the Cecīļu dabas taka nature trail, with its river and landscape features, and a virtual video about the Battles of Cēsis at the railway station. Alongside a walk, you can also choose a historical insight with a clearly defined duration.

Nature trail and river landscape

The Cecīļu dabas taka nature trail is located in Ieriķi, in Gauja National Park. This walking trail runs along the banks of the Kumada, Dančupīte and Amata rivers. These three rivers give the nature theme a specific focus: the emphasis is on a riverside landscape shaped by several bodies of water. The national park provides the broader natural setting, while the three riverbanks define the trail’s particular character. You can think of it as a walking trail along three rivers.

Along the trail, you can enjoy views of the Dančupīte gorge, a miniature waterfall and the Cecīļu rock. These features represent different aspects of the landscape—a gorge, a waterfall and a rock formation—and complement the riverside route with specific viewpoints. You can therefore explore the nature trail not only through its rivers, but also by looking out for the landscape features along the way.

Another way to experience nature is at Ieriķu Dzirnavas Park in Gauja National Park, which the Melderupe flows through. The Cecīļu trail focuses on a walking route along three riverbanks; Ieriķu Dzirnavas, by contrast, is a park crossed by a river. These are different ways to enjoy nature: if you are looking for a named walking trail, you can head to the Cecīļu dabas taka; if you prefer a park as your main destination, choose Ieriķu Dzirnavas.

History at Ieriķi railway station

The first phase of the Battles of Cēsis began on 5 June 1919 near Ieriķi railway station, at the bridge over the Amata. The date and location give the historical theme a specific setting: the story leads to the railway station and the bridge over the river. Alongside the natural features, there is a precisely dated event connecting the area with the Battles of Cēsis.

At Ieriķi railway station, the virtual-reality binoculars offer a free five-minute video about the Battles of Cēsis every day. Operating details may change, so check the latest information before your visit. This makes it easy to plan the experience as a brief historical highlight.

The video is presented in 360 degrees. The audio is in Latvian, with subtitles available in LV, EN, EE and ESP. You can check in advance whether one of the available subtitle languages suits you. This format differs considerably from the nature trail: here, the focus is on a five-minute virtual introduction to the Battles of Cēsis, while the trail offers a walk along riverbanks and past several landscape features.

Discover more destinations: Melturi, Bille, Nītaure, Drabeši, Zaube, Amata, Skujene, Kārļi.

For the broader travel overview: Amatas Novads.