Gauja River valley, with its Devonian rocks is 370-390 million years old. The last major transfor- mation in the valley happened 12-13 thousand years ago.
Let's trace the course of the River Gauja! It divides the Central Vidzeme Uplands from the Aluksne Uplands. From Lake Alauksts to Lejasciems, the Gauja flows eastwards. Having added the waters of the River Tirza, it turns north-west, is joined by the Palse and Menupe and then about 10 km south of Valka turns south-west, flowing by Valmiera, Cēsis, Līgatne and Sigulda, turning north-west again at Ādaži and reaching the sea by Carnikava. Thus, this amazing river flows in almost a full circle. Interestingly, for a 20 km stretch in Valka District, this Latvian river is shared with Estonia, since the river flows along the border. The Estonians call it the Koiva. Since ancient times, the River Gauja has served as the place of settlement for tribes and people living the area. In the 4th-2nd century AD this area was inhabited by Liv and Finnic tribes belonging to the Finno-Ugric family, and Baltic Semigallians, and later, starting from the 13th century AD, the land was owned by German Crusaders and tilled by Latvian peasants.
The river was rich with fish, and also served as a major trade route: during the time of the Hanseatic League, trade along the River Gauja waterway flourished as never before. Gauja by Carnikava has always been famous for lamprey fishing, although the river still retains a diverse fish fauna: perch, ide, grayling, pike, bream, roach, dacer chub, vimba and burbot. In 1985 on a 200 years old fishing boat was found, which serves as evidence that in there was still trading traffic along the River Gauja from Cēsis in the 17th century.
Just sixty years ago the river Gauja was alive with the voices of plowman - the bold men brought timber to by floating it down the river.
Nowadays, the River Gauja has become a beloved place for recreation and leisure. For water tourism enthusiasts from across the world. The rapid stream and the constantly changing riverbed provide an exciting challenge for water sports enthusiasts.