Kubesele nature trail

The length of the Kubesele Nature trail is 3,6km. If you have come by a car, you can leave it on a parking lot not far away form the church.

Krimulda church is the oldest country church of Latvia. It was built in ancient Kubesele in 1205. It is open to visitors every day for donations.

Close to the church there is the Lilly labyrinth and the memorial stone to the representative of the Latvian handwriting literature, teacher of the Krimulda congregation’s school J.N.Ramanis. Already since ancient times labyrinth has symbolised the way of a human to God.

After passing a small bridge, you will see the Kubesele castle-mound, where in 1775 the pastor house was built. By the foot of the mound, on the bank of the Runtiņa stream, there is a little hillock. This place is considered as the burial place of Kaupo – a chief of Livs and later a supporter of German crusaders. Here you can find a memorial sign devoted to him.

Continuing the walk along the trail, it is possible to visit the Kubesele or Runtiņa cave. Its length measures 5 to 6 meters. The cave is a protected geological object.

By going further and crossing the Runtiņš stream for several times, trail guides to the Saulstaru sandstone outcrop and cave.

Later you will come to the Lielais (Big) stone or the Runtiņa stone. Here a strong spring finds its way to the overground.

The bow-shaped trail guides you further throughout the Gauja river-side forests to the Gauja River bank. There are the concrete anchor blocks – the witnesses of Gauja raftsmen work of previous times.

A bit further, in forest it is possible to see the ancient barrow burial field of the Balts and Livs, as well as the Gauja cemetery, later the trail guides along the edge of forest to the Old baron cemetery.