If you have a passion for exploring caves and cliffs, Līgatne is the perfect road trip destination for you. This charming Latvian town is home to a unique array of sandstone cellars and rocky formations, each with its own character. Some resemble prison cells, others are locked behind doors adorned with mystical symbols, while a few might make you feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a horror movie.
And, because Līgatne is a popular hiking spot in Latvia, stay till the end to hear my guide on how NOT to hike in Līgatne.
Location: Līgatne, Latvia
Cost: Free
Length: We walked ~15km (but we took a lot of wrong turns)
How to get there: Drive to Līgatne by car, then walk around on foot
Explore the cave cellars in Līgatne, Latvia
Many Faces of Līgatne’s Lustūzis: From Bat-Filled Caves to Stunning Viewing Platform
Let’s break the rules and start with the dessert—arguably the most spectacular attraction in Līgatne, Latvia: Lustūzis.
Just like onions and ogres, Lustūzis has layers. At ground level, a viewing platform awaits, perfect for snapping photos with Lustūzis’ orange cliff face as your backdrop.
But don’t get too comfortable—this is just the appetiser. Lustūzis is a labyrinth of paths and caves, each hiding its own secrets.
Peek into the first cave, and you find a long tunnel. At the far end, candles flicker, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Walking through feels a bit like stepping into a horror movie. Look, the tunnel is lined with closed doors! What’s hidden behind the locks? Could it be something mundane like potatoes? Or maybe… something darker?
Wait—this one door is open! But it is way too dark to see what’s inside. Good that the phones come with flashlights these days! You shine a light and discover a bat snoozing peacefully. Shh! Let’s tiptoe out , so we don’t disturb its slumber.
Other caves that line the cliff remain locked, each more mysterious than the last. One door is covered in mystical symbols, while another is decorated with paintings of farm tools. I am dying to know what’s inside, but it seems that it’s not in the cards for us today.
And then there are the smaller caves, like snug alcoves carved into the uneven rock face. These niches are covered in countless scratches—an ancient graffiti of sorts. Try your hand at decoding them; see if you can spot the oldest mark.
Each scratch has a story, but let’s make a pact: we’ll leave the cliffs just as we found them, no scratching! Līgatne’s cliffs have been storytellers for centuries, and they deserve our care.
Next, we follow the walls lined with three roots and decorated with icicles to the second level of Lustūzis. Here, we find a door marked “Ghost Cave.” Spooky, isn’t it? Sadly—or maybe luckily—it’s locked tight. Whatever phantoms haunt this place will have to stay hidden a while longer.
Lastly, one last challenge awaits us in Lustūzis—a set of stairs leading to the summit. I am always looking out for observation decks and something tells me we might find one up here. We make the climb, and there it is: an observation deck with sweeping views of Līgatne turned into a winter wonderland.
But I’ll let you in on a little secret: this won’t be the last lookout in Līgatne we conquer today. Stay sharp—there’s more magic ahead.
The Ānfabrikas Cliff of Līgatne and the Path to Rīga Hill
Next on our itinerary is the Ānfabrikas Cliff. How does this rock formation differ from Lustūzis? Let’s find out.
Here, a towering cliff looms on the far side of a frozen river. Its surface is dotted with numerous doors, peering back at us like dark, watchful eyes. What lies hidden within the cliff’s mysterious chambers? We can only guess, as the icy waters deny us any chance to cross and explore. Līgatne keeps its secrets well. But according to sources all of Līgatnes caves were made to act as natural fridges keeping products and wine cool.
Where shall we go next? A staircase leads upwards, inviting us to explore further.
If you climb to the very top you’ll find another breathtaking observation platform.
As we continue along the path, we pass by cave after cave, each with its own distinct personality. Most are small and stark, like prison cells, their walls weathered by time. Then, one catches your eye—a cave with a hole on the other side.
Further along, another cave surprises with a unique ceiling, decorated with intricate patterns and textures—nature’s artwork at its finest.
And then there’s a cave within a cave. When you lean down to peer inside, you’ll see a small tunnel leading into a larger room beyond.
And of course, what would a Līgatne adventure be without a horror movie worthy cave? It is a bit unsettling not knowing if something would jump out of the dark shadows or grab your leg from the depths of the side chamber. But luckily for us, there is only another tiny bat sleeping peacefully.
If you’re not a seasoned hiker, this is where I’d recommend calling it a day and heading back to the Līgatne city centre. As this is where the mishap story begins.
How Not to Hike in Līgatne: A Funny Tale of Two Travellers Without a Map
Our mission is simple: follow a scenic route along the Līgatne River to reach Jumprava Cliff. However, as we plot our course on Google Maps, we quickly realize there are no trails listed along the river. A bit concerning, but we’re adventurers—surely we can wing it, right?
We set off strong, wandering past charming industrial heritage buildings and we reach the Līgatne Paper Mill. But here we hit a dead end. A tall fence blocks our path, and a sign reads: access permitted only with a guide.
So, what now? I’m not the type to break the rules, so our only option is to go around. But which direction? Since the cliff lies on the left bank of the river, it makes sense to veer left and rejoin the river once we’re past the paper mill.
As we walk, we pass some interesting historic buildings, the standout being the beautifully renovated kindergarten. But, as we keep moving, we find ourselves so far off track that the river is nowhere in sight. What started as a nature hike is now a city stroll, which after considerable distance turns into a forest.
With the snow covering everything, it’s hard to tell if there’s a proper pedestrian path along the route. All I know is that the only option seems to be walking beside the road, which, if I’m being honest, makes me a bit uneasy. But hey, they say persistence pays off, right? I’m determined to reach Jumprava Cliff, no matter the detour.
Where is Jumprava cliff of Līgatne?
It turns out that Jumprava Cliff has a knack for hiding. When we arrive at the pin on the map, we find an observation deck offering gorgeous views of the Gauja River, but… where’s the cliff?
I look around, confused. Nothing. Oh wait—could we actually be standing on the cliff? It seems like the only way to see it would be from the opposite bank or maybe by boat on the river itself.
A bit disappointing, but it happens to the best of us. We hang around for a few more minutes, scanning for any hidden paths down that we might have missed, but after some fruitless searching, we admit defeat. No sight of Līgatne’s Jumprava Cliff today.
Since our original goal was to follow the river, we decide to follow it on our way back. The map suggests we can reunite with the river near Līgatnes Pārceltuve (the thing that takes cars across the river). So let’s head there!
Celler Caves Somewhere Near Līgatne River
As I said – sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
We follow a path well beaten by other travellers’ feet and not too deep in the forest a surprise awaits. There is another cliff with cellar caves! I don’t know its name, so I just refer to them as the cliffs by the river as some of them are yet again on the opposite side of the river.
Or we could call them hobbit houses, as that’s what they remind me of. You can take a peak in some of them, but they seem abandoned, with no treasures inside.
Let’s Return to How Not to Hike, Shall We?
Well, when you’re not sure where to go next, what do you do? Simple—ask a local. So, we spot an older lady strolling down the path and decide to ask for directions.
“Where does this path lead?”
“To the forest.” Okay.
“But if we follow this path, will it take us to the Līgatne city centre?”
She gives us a long look.
“YOU won’t make it. Go back to the main road and follow that.”
Ouch. That stings. My ego is definitely bruised, but hey, when in doubt, take the advice, right? So we start to retrace our steps back to the main road, the very same one we used to get here.
But as we walk, another tempting detour presents itself—a smaller path veering off to the side. I really don’t want to go back the same way we just came from, so I make an executive decision to take one last gamble.
We venture on for a while. The path starts to get narrower and less well-trodden, not exactly a reassuring sign. Maybe we should have listened to the wise old lady…
Just when we’re about to turn back, a girl walking her adorable cat comes into view. Yes, you read that right—a cat, not a dog. How cute is that?
She kindly asks if we’re lost. Well, kind of.
Turns out, in about 800 meters, the path will end and we’ll hit a restricted area. Our only options are to turn back or follow some footprints leading up the hill. Those, she assures us, will take us to the main route.
What a lucky encounter! I never would’ve thought to climb up.
We follow the footprints and some cute little cat paw prints, and after a bit of an uphill trek, we emerge from the forest near a campsite. We are saved!
So what went wrong?
Firstly if you do not know the way, follow the guidance otherwise you could be putting yourself in danger. Secondly, as I now inspect the map closer I think we should have turned right at the paper factory and crossed the bridge to the right bank of the river. Thirdly – if Google maps doesn’t work, how about finding a gpx map or an off road map?
At least I am wiser now. And hopefully you are too.
But the cellar caves and cliffs of Ligatne were sure fun to explore. So this day trip in Latvia was still enjoyable even with all the mishaps.
What to See Near Līgatne
Sigulda (less known spots) or Sigulda hiking loop (~20km)
Murjaņi and Kubesele nature trail (~27km to Kubesele and ~37km to Murjaņi)
Ieriki mill (~13km)
Cīrulīši nature trail (~32km)
Other things to see and do in Latvia