Gaizinkalns (311m) — World Country High Point — Latvia
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 0.76 mi
- Elevation gain
- 118 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 118 ft
- Max elevation
- 940 ft
- TrailRank
- 25
- Min elevation
- 786 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 40 minutes
- Coordinates
- 350
- Uploaded
- July 23, 2022
- Recorded
- July 2022
near Viesiena, Madonas novads (Latvija)
Viewed 42 times, downloaded 2 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Suur Munamägi 318m (Estonia), Gaiziņkalns 312m (Latvia), and Aukštojas Hill 294m (Lithuania).
Overview
Well, the plan was to go on an 18-day, 3,000-kilometre self-drive holiday to visit three countries, three capitals, and amble up three United Nations high points. In the meantime, there are also six Unesco World Heritage Sites in the three countries, so I wanted to visit them all too. Flying in and out of Riga and travelling in a figure-eight loop, the trip was a great success, and these are the entries for each high point.
Gaiziņkalns
Information
The Gaising, or Gaiziņkalns, at 312m above sea level, is the highest point in Latvia. It is situated in the Vidzeme Upland, a short distance to the west of the town of Madona, in central Vidzeme. Although only relatively low, Gaiziņkalns has been developed into a skiing area with three slopes and several guesthouses.
Summary
Day 8. A 390-km-long driving day from the university city of Tartu in Estonia to the castle town of Cesis in Latvia. On the way, I learned from a smart arse that 55% of the roads in Latvia are gravel tracks. That’s over 11,000k’s worth of gravel, and today we found at least 200 kilometres worth.
En route today, we had a 'look-see' at the opulent Cesvain Palace before going on to hike, sorry—have a lazy amble up the highest point in Estonia (Suur Munamagi 318m) and Latvia (Gaizinkalns 311m). If both hikes had a combined height of over 100 metres, I’d be lying, but they all count. World Country High Points No. 26 and 27 are done 😇.
Parking: Parking at the start point.
Route: The high point of Latvia is easily accessible with a number of start points. There is a large car park at our designated start point (see track). From there, it is a simple walk west up the grassy slope for a few hundred metres and turn left at the main track. Go another few hundred metres, and the wooden, non-climbable tower of Gaizinkalns comes into view, shortly after you arrive at the top of Latvia.
Route Statistics: An easy there-and-back 1.2km walk with 70m of height gain is done in a sedate forty minutes.
Overview
Well, the plan was to go on an 18-day, 3,000-kilometre self-drive holiday to visit three countries, three capitals, and amble up three United Nations high points. In the meantime, there are also six Unesco World Heritage Sites in the three countries, so I wanted to visit them all too. Flying in and out of Riga and travelling in a figure-eight loop, the trip was a great success, and these are the entries for each high point.
Gaiziņkalns
Information
The Gaising, or Gaiziņkalns, at 312m above sea level, is the highest point in Latvia. It is situated in the Vidzeme Upland, a short distance to the west of the town of Madona, in central Vidzeme. Although only relatively low, Gaiziņkalns has been developed into a skiing area with three slopes and several guesthouses.
Summary
Day 8. A 390-km-long driving day from the university city of Tartu in Estonia to the castle town of Cesis in Latvia. On the way, I learned from a smart arse that 55% of the roads in Latvia are gravel tracks. That’s over 11,000k’s worth of gravel, and today we found at least 200 kilometres worth.
En route today, we had a 'look-see' at the opulent Cesvain Palace before going on to hike, sorry—have a lazy amble up the highest point in Estonia (Suur Munamagi 318m) and Latvia (Gaizinkalns 311m). If both hikes had a combined height of over 100 metres, I’d be lying, but they all count. World Country High Points No. 26 and 27 are done 😇.
Parking: Parking at the start point.
Route: The high point of Latvia is easily accessible with a number of start points. There is a large car park at our designated start point (see track). From there, it is a simple walk west up the grassy slope for a few hundred metres and turn left at the main track. Go another few hundred metres, and the wooden, non-climbable tower of Gaizinkalns comes into view, shortly after you arrive at the top of Latvia.
Route Statistics: An easy there-and-back 1.2km walk with 70m of height gain is done in a sedate forty minutes.
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