Explore Latvia with Gravel Weekend

Tour de LatEst (Cēsis - Ķegums)

Part of the official cycling route nr. 6 that links Latvia and Estonia. This particular part of the route is remarkable because it crosses the scenic Gauja National Park.Points of interest:Just outside Cēsis (6 km) you will pass Rakši zoo, where you can see camels and llamas.Līgatne. A picturesque town with some caves that are free to visit. More about caves: https://www.entergauja.com/en/things-to-do/nature/ligatne-cellar-caves-and-cliffsMr. Biskvīts café in Sigulda. If you're lucky, you can meet Latvian pro cyclists enjoying their mid-ride coffee stop. The place is also very popular among amateurs and has a terrace.Mālu krogs. A cyclist-friendly pub.From Rīga you can arrive to Cēsis by train - last carriage has a dedicated place for bikes. There is a train station in Ķegums too, where you can take the train back to Rīga. Timetables and tickets are available either on Mobilly (transportation app) or ViVi (Latvian Railroads app). Alternatively you can ride back to Rīga.Best bike for the route would be a gravel bike or off-road capable touring bike. Some stretches of the route are countryside dirt roads, some are low to medium traffic intensity regional roads popular among local cyclists. Expect punchy climbs. Most of the elevation gain happens before Sigulda.