Country: Latvia

Latvia's first and oldest national park (1973). It aims to protect the unique natural values of the Ancient Valley of river Gauja. On the banks of Gauja and its tributaries, the devon sandstone outcrops, which are mostly geomorphological monuments of nature, are particularly representative. Highly rich flora and fauna: more than 800 species of vascular plants have been identified, 149 bird species, 48 mammalian species.  Forests occupy 47% of the Park area. Since 2004, the GNP has been part of the NATURA 2000 network as an area designated for the protection of specially protected species and habitats I. The history of tourism in the GNP area has long traditions. First visitors with a walking stick along Sigulda's neighborhood trails had been walking in the 19 th century. Every year thousands of visitors are attracted by the strange landscape, the largest outcrops of devon rock in Latvia – sandstone precipice, cliffs and caves, as well as cultural and historical treasures covered by legends and stories.