21,5 km
RIVER AMATA. ROCKS AND CLIFFS
View from Ainavu Cliff
River Amata
Description
For travellers not afraid of large and
frequent terrain differences, and also
for those wishing to see and enjoy the
beautiful banks of primeval valley of the
River Amata while heading along remote
forest paths. The path leading along the
right bank travels through the upper and
lower part of the valley, and therefore at
some places difference of more than 40
m in height is experienced. This is sort
of a geo-tourism route with an insight of
dolomite and sandstone outcrops from
the Devonian Period which are found in
the primeval valley of the River Amata
shaped by the glacier.
Zvārte Rock
During the summer you can walk in river
Rock–Veclauču Bridge 3.5 km.
Duration 8–11 h, kur:
8–11 h, where:
1) Amatciems–Melturi 2 h,
2) Melturi–Kārļi 3 h,
3) Kārļi–Zvārte Rock 4 h,
4) Zvārte Rock–Veclauču Bridge 1–2 h.
Road pavement
Mainly forest paths; gravel road in
section Amatciems–Melturi.
Best time to go
April–October.
Starting point
In Amatciems 25.30342, 57.22543 or at
the road Riga–Veclaicene (A2) 25.23270,
57.21990 on the right bank of the River
Amata, near the bridge; however, it can
be started at any point of the route.
Route
Amatciems – Melturi – Kārļamuiža –
Kārļi – Zvārte Rock – Veclauču Bridge.
Destination 25.13721, 57.26149
Veclauču Bridge, destination for canoeriders “Amata”, or any other place.
Difficulty level
Difficult due to the steep and high
banks and deep lateral ravines.
Distance to Riga
Starting point 75 km, destination 85 km.
Distance
~21.5 km. The route can be made by
combining any of its sections:
1) Amatciems–Melturi 5 km,
2) Melturi–Kārļi 3.5 km,
3) Kārļi–Zvārte Rock 9.5 km, 4) Zvārte
Way marking
Orange and bright red blazes —
diamonds on tree trunks (in the section
from Melturi to Veclauču Bridge).
Worth knowing!
Suitable hiking footwear needed. During wet weather, the route can be un-
Photo: Baltic Pictures
safe due to the steep slopes. During
spring, autumn and other periods, dolomite landslides and landfalls are possible; be careful and watch your step!
Do not climb on the outcrops; do not
damage these. When the water level is
low, you can cross the River Amata at
many sites. The left bank of the River
Amata in the section from Zvārte Rock
meadow to Veclauču Bridge is part of
Roči Forest Reserve, and entrance is
prohibited! Hiking outdoors is at one’s
own risk. Emergency services: 112.
Recommendation
The route can be merged and circular
routes can be made in the vicinity of “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”. You can park the
car at the hotel: 1) landscape trails in the
vicinity of “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”
with a visit to the Kārļi fish breeding farm
and Ainavu Cliff — 5.5 km; 2) “Karlamuiza
Country Hotel” – Ainavu Cliff – Stūķu Rock
– Dzilnas Rock – Zvārte Rock – “Karlamuiza Country Hotel” ~15 km with one
part of the route leading along the river,
while the other — along forest paths; 3) resort hotel “Jonathan SPA Estate” – private
house “Biržakas” – guest house “Melturi”
– railway station “Melturi” – resort hotel
“Jonathan SPA Estate” ~15 km with one
part of the route leading along roads on
the right bank of the River Amata and the
former railway track on the left bank.
SERVICE
| Amata Municipality Tourism Information Centre
Kumadas Street 2, Ieriķi, Amata Municipality, +371 64119024,
+371 28681083, [email protected], www.amata.lv
G | Baltic Wildlife +371 28808440, [email protected],
www.balticwildlife.eu
| Hotel “Melturi”
Melturi, Drabeši rural territory, Amata Municipality, +371 64129467,
+371 29267224, [email protected]
| Hotel “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”,
Kārļi, Drabeši rural territory, Amata Municipality, +371 26165298,
[email protected], www.karlamuiza.lv
(catering to be announced in advance)
| Resort hotel “Jonathan SPA Estate”
Amatciems, Amata Municipality, +371 25606066,
[email protected], www.jonathanspahotel.com
www.entergauja.com
Ķūķupīte
Bumburkalns
Ielaiņi
Jaunzemi 2
135 m Spundes
Vecbumburi
Rūķīši Zie
Mieškas Idūnu
du
Zeltiņi
Miškas
Idūnas
g
Edernieku
ezeri
Kampas
Kalna
Dzintari
Lejas Vīboņi Bebri Ķūķi
iezis
Vecdāvas
k
i
Māln
e
u
Mežiņi
Sauleskalns Krīvi
Zariņi
Briedīši
dīķi
Leimaņu
Rak
Kalna Vīboņi
Cielavas
šupe
Bērziņi
Ķāķi
iezis
Lejas Josti Jaunkalni
Lejas Mežiņi
Jaundāvas
Vecupes
Stubi
Vel
Mālnieki
Kalna Josti Pērles
Jaungavēņi
Līņu
Piesēni Kurši
Lielkājas
l
u
u
Briedīš
Kalna
iezis
pe
Celmiņi
klintis
Alejas Zariņi
iezis
Peles
Vecapsītes
Jaunapsītes
Puškinu
Mežciemi
25 26
Zeltkalni
Amatas
Kājiņas
Zīpari
karjers
Kalna Astītes
Enkurakmens
Upmaļi
Dzērdup e
Jaunrēzes
Kalnzemnieki Simtēni
iezis
Karātavu k.
Līņi
Saulītes
Mazbožu Zviedru
Lejas
Ģevēkas
169
m
Veclauči
Vanagi
Druvas
Simtupe
Skudras
Lakati dores priede
Vītegas
Kalna Ģevēkas
Virgabaļi
Lejas
Liepkalni
Āraišu vecā Ņami
Krustkalni
Astītes
20-24
Vanagu
kapi
Mazjoķi
Jaunsaulītes
kapsēta
Krustiņi
Salmiņi
Kalna
Dzērves
Lejas
Amatas
Lielņami Brūži
Sorķi
Boži
Lieljoķi
Betes Vecbetes Āraiši
Kalna Vītegas
Sesīļi
Rotas
Jaunmūrnieki
17-19
Buliņu kapi
Ezerpils Pūces
Lībieši
Rozas
Pūcītis
Rāceņi
15
Bikari
Roču
Strautiņi
Upītes Strautmaļi
Āraišu
ez.
Ezerkrasti
Andreicēni
One of the deepest river valleys in LatJaunzemi
16
Gravas
meža
L.Lazdiņš
Kārļi
Jaunmājas
Dukuri
Lāčkalni
Dārziņi
Līčupītes E77
via — at maximum the primeval valley
9 Priedes
Lejas
rezervāts
Vieļas
Rakš Drabeši
A2
Viesnīca «Karlamuiza Mūrnieki
Polieši
Kalna Vērši 10
reaches ~50 m and its width is 1–1.5
Pūraiši
Country Hotel» Vecruļļi
Kalna
8
Lazdiņi
Rauduvītes
Birzgaļi
Āraiši
km.
M.Lazdiņš
11
7
Viļņi
Īļakas
12
Vīnardi
Vāverkrogs
Kazupīte
Kalna Ziemēni
Medulāji
Ķūpuri
Stūķi
Lejas Ziemēni
e
t
Kalna Vīnardi
14
ī
Vāveres krogs Ķilpji
Viesturi
p
u
6
Lejas
t
Ennes
l
Austrumi
3
Sa
Kārļu
Elanti
Le
Ķaubi
Ziemēns 83.km
jas
dzirn. ez.
4
2
13
(Raudiņš)
gr.
Amatas nov.
Vēķis
25.23270, 57.21990
Jaunīļakas
Mazincēni
Vecruki
Pērļupes
Vēķi
Kaņepes
82. km
Mazplūči
dome
Incēnu viduslaiku
Vankas
ala
Kūrortviesnīca
Plūči
Ķaubi
A hotel in Amatciems — facilitated,
kapsēta
5
Māras
«Jonathan
SPA
Estate»
3
Lielincēni
Smīdu k.
Bļodnieki
Melnezers
Līči 2
Veļķi
Vecapogas
Rūķi
153 m
scenic,
forest-enclosed
village
Melturi
Tērces
Slavēkas
(Asarājs)
Vizbuļi
Lielruki
Bille
Purmaļi
Jāņkalni Pūpoli Kaparpurvs
Kalna
offering
angling
opportunities.
Viesu māja
Sesīļu Lejas Cecīļi
Dzeņi
Zuži
Vīņaudi
A2
Lejas Smīdes
Ķikuti
Ziedi
«Melturi»
1
P3
klintis
Amatciems
Birztaliņas
1
Listen to the green frogs singing in
Kaz
Kaktiņi
77
Silmaļi
E
Kalna Smīdes
Veckārbes
a
ad Kraujas Cecīļi 1
summer evenings.
Kalnasmīžu
Dravnieki
Ūdensstrazdi
Kumadas
Amata
avots
Amatas
Biržakas
Amatas
Celmāji
P
77.km
ērļu
Dravnieku dīķi
Dzirnavas
Krastiņi Ieriķu dz.
Maztīreļi
p
80.km
e
Sau
76.km
Liepkalni 2
Vībotnes Ķempju In lesk Kraujēni
Pļaviņas
Kalnzemnieki
Grūbas ūd-krit.
Melturu sils Melturi
kapi drāni alns
25.23270, 57.21990
Skaļupes
pe
Intu Skola
Skujas
Spuģi
Jaunsmēdes
īču
L
Kalna
Leči
Ķeizari
Vaitiņi
In forest curve, on the riverside of
Līči
Ieriķi
Tīreļi
Vecleči
Pērtupe
Jaunleči
Skujupes
Magonītes
Skudrukalns
Mežrozītes
Mazvaitiņi
Amata. Near the river one can see the
Spāres
upurakmens
2
A
Mājdzīvnieku
Aizupes
Lielvaitiņi
brāļu kapi
Žuburi
E77
rough horsetail, traces by beavers,
Kaļķu
Priedes audzētava "Zaķīši"
Ieriķi
e
Gr
Spāre
Akmeņlauži Ceplis 1
0 Cīruļi 1 km
den
ūb
coral, and chaga mushrooms.
Gai
a
Raudzītes
Zaķusalas
Papardes
Gaidēni
Vāļi
Jaunteņņi
«Kvēpene»
Kvēpenes ozols
Kvēpenes
Kvēpenes
pilsk.
Rakši
«Briedīši»
Ūbeles
Līvi
is
rāv
P2
0
GNP
Jātnieki
uja
Ga
pe
kšu
Ra
Gaujas
me
is
en
iel
Ak
is
iļa
Dz
ma
nu
Ļau ērce
t
ņu
pīt
ī te
up
a ta
nacionālais
e
up
parks
e
pīt
kšu
Rie
Ro
č
e
Am
1 | Primeval valley of the
River Amata
Ruc
k
as
gr.
SIGHTSEEING OBJECTS
P 20
2 | “Jonathan SPA Hotel”
Pērļup
e
pe
aļu
Sk
a ta
Kum
Am
īte
up
3 | Guest house “Melturi”
Am
at
Skujup
e
4 | Īļaku Rock
25.2262, 57.22486
Around 100 m long and up to 25 m
high cliff of the right bank of the River
Amata with dolomite outcrops from
the Devonian Period.
5 | Vizuļu Rock
25.22362, 57.22504
Around 150 m long and up to 30 m
high cliff on the left bank of the river
with light sandstone and dolomite
outcrops, out of which springs are
coming (which turn into frozen waterfalls in deep winter). Pay attention!
Ball-shaped sandstone is found on
the riverbed of the River Amata, rapid
river sections, which are specific river
habitats.
6 | Dolomītu Cliff
25.22446, 57.22725
Around 150 m long and up to 25 m
high cliff at the top of which there are
5–6 m high dolomite and dolomitic
marl outcrops. Pay attention! Traces
by three-toed woodpecker and other
woodpecker species on trees. Oxbow
lake of Amata and traces of beavers.
7 | Dambja Rock
25.21168, 57.23278
Up to 30 m high cliff on the right
bank of Amata with dolomite and
sandstone outcrops on its upper part.
8 | Kārļi fish breeding farm
24.19922, 57.23704
One of the oldest Latvian fish breeding farms with a significant role in
preservation of the wild population of
salmon-like fish — salmons, trouts,
and brown trouts — in Latvia. Excursions subject to prior announcement.
Pay attention! Excellent diversity of
butterflies and dragonflies within a
relatively small area thanks to the
banks of the River Amata, adjoining
meadows, Kārļi mill pond, nearby forests, and other habitats. Particularly
Mežrozes
interesting is the Melturi–Kārļi section in May, but
you can visit it at a later period as well. Here you can
spot the clouded apollo and longhorn beetle on wood
cranesbills.
9 | Hotel “Karlamuiza Country Hotel”
25.21254, 57.24023
There are hiking trails nearby leading along the
landscape park and beautiful banks of the River
Amata.
Bērzkalni
Jaunzemi 2
Pulkaiņi
Meļļi
16 | Zvārte Rock 25.14279, 57.24601
In front of the ca. 200 m long and up to 44 m high
cliff, there is an elevation up to 25 m high. The rivercourse of Amata has been straightened aimed at
preservation of the cliff.
17 | Migla Rock 25.14575, 57.24672
Its height varies between 8 and 12 m. In summer it
is covered with thick vegetation.
10 | Ainavu Cliff 25.19989, 57.23884
Around 0.5 km long and up to 46 m high cliff
features two impressive sandstone and dolomite
outcrops — the so-called Bizenes Rock and Ainavu
Rock offering beautiful views from top of the cliff
over the valley of the River Amata. Pay attention!
Nearby are forests of slopes and ravines, which are
protected habitats.
18 | Čūsku Rock 25.14515, 57.24787
A small outcrop on the right bank of the River
Amata, behind the suspension bridge.
11 | Ķaubju Rock 25.19242, 57.23476
Around 50 m long and up to 45 m high cliff (one of
the highest in Latvia) on the left bank of the River
Amata.
20 | Lustūzis 25.13916, 57.25648
A few metres high and very scenic sandstone
outcrop. Known as a dangerous place for paddlers
during the spring floods.
12 | Stūķu Rock 25.17763, 57.23414
Around 100 m long and up to 40 m high cliff with a
15 m high sandstone outcrop on the right bank of
the River Amata. Pay attention! In autumn — huge
variety of mushrooms, including polypores, traces
of wild boar, lycophytes. Red alga hildenbrandia on
the underwater stones in the river.
25.13662, 57.25692
Up to 300 m long and 36 m high cliff covered with
trees and featuring 1–15 m high sandstone outcrops
from Amata and Gauja suites at the feet of it on the
left bank of the river. Springs coming out at the feet
of it; cave-like galleries as a result of the current.
13 | Dzilnas Rock 25.17167, 57.22561
Around 300 m long and up to 40 m high horseshoeshaped cliff on the left bank of the River Amata.
Pay attention! Active erosion processes and traces
of springs in the Dzilnas Rock.
14 | Incēnu Rock 25.15051, 57.22874
Around 500 m long and up to 40 m high cliff with
sandstone outcrops from Gauja suite on the right
bank of the River Amata. Pay attention! Traces of
beavers and beautiful peltigeras on the ground cover
or trees covered with lichen.
15 | Visitor Centre at Zvārte Rock
25.14617, 57.24622
19 | Zemais Rock 25.13661, 57.25520
Outcrop on the left bank of the River Amata with
several galleries — caves preceding the row of
Lustūzis outcrops.
21 | Vanagu Rock (Roču Rock, Egļu Cliff)
22 | Vizbulīšu Cliffs 25.14085, 57.25794
Around 4 m high sandstone outcrop on the right
bank of the River Amata, and a large cavity made
by the current.
23 | Palu Rock 25.14179, 57.25885
Small sandstone outcrop on the right bank of the
River Amata. Pay attention! Heaps of boulders on
the riverbed of Amata.
24 | Zaļais Rock 25.13735, 57.26152
Low, but long outcrop before Veclauču Bridge on
the right bank of the River Amata.
25 | Veclauču Bridge
26 | Veclauču Rock 25.13698, 57.26131
TAV
O
!