Township Mazsalaca
Mazsalaca is one of the Northern towns in Latvia, important as a tourism and culture tradition center, with Latvian environment, unique, interesting landscapes and unique wooden buildings - specific for small towns in North Vidzeme. It is located in Valmiera region, in northern part of Vidzeme, 20km from Estonian border, 44km from Valmiera and 142km from Riga.
The first written information about Mazsalaca as a residential place is from 1528 related to consolidation of German noblemen properties. In the middle of 19th century Baron A. Fitinghof, the owner of Waltenberg manor wanted to create heavy inhabited place on his land, therefore he selected a place where 5 roads intersected. Since ancient times there were Ferry-boat pub (Rīgas street 17), which was located near the ferry across the river Salaca and Church pub (Rīgas street 1). In 1861 the chemistss shop and the parish house (Rīgas street 4) were built here. In 1864 the textile factory was built. Slowly the Mazsalaca town began to develop. The town received the town rights in 1928.
Mazsalaca region is widely known as tourist place since 20th century 30's. The main treasure of Mazsalaca is the beauty of nature. People come here by cars, buses and by boats. From 1937 to 1944 and 1977 to 1996 it was possible to get there by train.
The splendor of Mazsalaca can be related to the river Salaca that takes away the most part of Northern Latvia waters to the sea. The river has many turns and after each kilometre some smaller or bigger river or stream flows in it, and at the steep shores beautiful red sandstone cliffs and caves can be seen.
Traffic road bridge in Mazsalaca
"Valetnbergu estate"
On the right side you will see the former "Valtenbergu estate" built in 1780. Today there is the Mazsalca school established. Near the estate is a big park and next to the park the walking path "Kurbada taka" with wooden sculptures made my wood carvers from Riga.
"Bezdelīgu" rocks [From Mazsalaca 1.6 km]
The wonderful rock is 11 metres high and reaches a length of 120 metres. Unfortunately the bottom is only accessible from the river.
"Vilkaču" pine [From Mazsalaca 2.1. km]
That is a very interesting pine tree with opens roots. As you can imagine, legends over legends exist about this tree.
"Enģeļu" cave [From Mazsalaca 2.9. km]
"Neļķu" rocks [From Mazsalaca 3.9 km]
This is a pretty nice place. The rocks are 30 metres high and 300 metres long.
At the rockbase there is spring named "skabuma balla". Everybody believes that the water from this spring is very healthy and tasty.
Higher in the rocks there is the cave "Velna ala" (devil's cave). This is an old cult place for people who used to live there a long time ago. Therefore there are different legends about these places. The cave Velna is 16 metres deep and has a volume of more than 50 m3.
"Skaņaiskalns" [From Mazsalaca 4.8. km]
This is a 19 m high and 60 m long sandstone rock in the left river bank. The rock is lightly parabolic and therefore there are interesting sound effects. For example, everyone can hear for long distance (200 - 300 m) your intime conversation, if you sit in right place in the river bank. It is a popular destination for tourists but be informed that driving by car to the nature territory is limited.
"Daugenu" rocks [From Mazsalaca 8.2. km]
The "Daugienu" Rocks are 15 m high and 100 m long.
In the middle part of the rock there is a inner cave. The cave isn't opened for big groups. We recommend to explore this cave. The total length of the labyrinths is nearly 150 m. Next the rocks in the right side is wild-camping and it is reachable by car.
"Līču" school [From Mazsalaca 15.9. km]
Old School building on the right side of the river Salaca bank.
Holiday house "Ezi" [From Mazsalaca 26.4. km]
There are some facilities for tourists. On this part the river flows in wooden territory, the river banks are wild and the stream is not very strong. The silence on the river is perfect and you will find your relax here.
Pedestrians bridge in village Viķi [From Mazsalaca 31.3 km]
Local people use those suspension bridges, sometimes you must check are they safe for use.
Township "Staicele" [From Mazsalaca 40.5. km]
Dismounted damb near former paper factory in Staicele
There are 3 bridges in the Staicele township teritory. The first one is a pedestrians bridge near the old paper factory (founded 1898) dam. If you would like to finish your trip there we recommend the take-out place on the right side a little bit up the bridge. Staicele centre will be 1 km from here to the right side. If you continue you can walk around the dam on the left river bank. Next bridge is the traffic road bridge but the distance to the city centre is higher. The third and last one is again a walkers bridge. On the right side you will see a public park. In Staicele you will find several shops and public transportation connections. The city symbol of Staicele is the white stork. The legend says that there live one storck which was like a king for all the other storcks.
The following part of the river Salaca from Staicele to Salacgriva is spectacular with many sandstone rocks in the river and some fast stream sections, however these rapids are not dangerous for canoeing but on low water level you would have to manevers your canoe around the stones.
The river Salaca in stage township Staicele - guesthouse "Rozeni"
On the river banks you can see local people self made boats wich are used for fishing.
Village "Mērnieki" [From Mazalaca 62.7 km]
Now the drop on the river Salaca becomes 1m to 1 km that means that you can expect some smooth rapids in the river.
"Sarkanas klintis" (red rocks) [From Mazsalaca 64.9 km]
Now you are entering the most beautiful Salaca part. You will see a rock in the left bank with a length of 400 m after the railway bridge. On the right side is a tourist camp. This is a very popular place for fishing. Headding towards there will be serveral sandstone rocks and the stream changes from slow to quick and back to slow.
The river Salaca in stage "Sarkanas klintis" - township Salacgriva
Private farmhouse near the river Salaca
Township "Salacgrīva" [From Mazsalaca 82.8 km]
There you will see the two last traffic road bridges. The first one is 3 km away from the city centre of Salcgriva. Sometimes you can finish your trip there because on the last 3 km the wind is very strong and you can miss 5 to 6 weirs for catching the lameries.
If you would like to finish close to the city centre you can do that a little bit further on the right side, where a pier was built.
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