The Wilds of Vidzeme

Of Latvia's four regions, Vidzeme is the one that we've explored just a small portion of. In fact, we've barely ventured in to this eastern part of Latvia save for a few small trips to Cesis and slightly beyond. On a recent long weekend, we decided that it's time we explore this vast hinterland that stretches hundreds of kilometers east to the border of Russia. We stayed in a cabin close to the town of Gulbene and took day trips east to Aluksne and west to Cesvaine and Madona. This largely forgotten region shows many signs of prosperity and grandeur a century ago. On the way back to Riga, too, we finally had the chance to hike up to the roof of Latvia, the nation's highest peak: Gaizinkalns at a preposterously high elevation of 312 meters!