The picturesque Ziedleju Cliffs represent some of the last cliffs before the Gauja River reaches the seaside plains. These cliffs are situated at an oxbow lake of the Gauja – a location that remains relatively unknown despite its easy accessibility. Visitors can admire the reflections of the red cliffs in the clear water of this lake.

These cliffs are formed from Upper Devonian sandstone of the Frasnian stage, specifically the Gauja Formation.

In the eastern part of the cliffs lies a small, delightful wonder – the Ziedleju Waterfall. It comes from a spring and, it seems, flows for the most part of the year and stands at 3.7 meters in height, with a width of approximately 0.3-0.5 meters.

The Gobdzinu Cliffs are among Latvia’s most impressive precipices, but few are aware that some 700 meters northeast lies a profound ravine housing a charming waterfall.

This waterfall has taken shape over a 0.6-meter thick layer of oolitic sandstone, which is more robust than the delicate sandstone beneath it, resulting in an almost 1-meter wide overhang. Its overall height measures around 2.3 meters. These rocks belong to the Upper Famennian period of the Late Devonian.

The author is acquainted with four additional small, seasonal waterfalls in this vicinity, including the similarly modest Lepenieku Waterfall. However, the other three (including the 0.6-meter high Ketleru Waterfall) are less captivating.

Some 10 – 15 kilometres before Skrunda village Venta River meanders between several impressive cliffs. This is a rather remote area with many natural wonders that are comparatively little known.

One of the most interesting is Ketleru Cliffs – low sandstone cliffs that are far less impressive than some other cliffs nearby but have a very special value. This sandstone formed some 370 – 360 million years ago, during the Upper Famennian of the Late Devonian and has been named Ketleri Formation. Devonian sediments in Latvia have brought several very interesting finds of the early life forms, but Ketleru Cliffs brought an especially interesting find: remnants of Ventastega curonica, one of the first four-legged animals on Earth.

Close to the bank of Venta, over this exclusive layer of sandstone has formed a small waterfall. It falls over a harder layer of oolitic sandstone, washing out the loose sandstone under it. This waterfall flows just for some weeks per year – frankly, author has not managed to catch these moments.

Nevertheless, this is an interesting landmark in a gorgeous landscape.

Author knows four more small, seasonal waterfalls in this area, including the similar Gobdzinu Ravine Waterfall. The other three, including the 0.6 m high Ketleru Waterfall, are less interesting.

The central part of Kuldiga Town boasts exceptional beauty. Although the town’s history dates back to medieval times, most of its present historical structures are much younger, originating from the 18th to early 20th century. The town developed at Ventas Rumba, a waterfall where trading ships once had to halt.

Ventas Rumba holds the distinction of being the widest waterfall in Latvia (and, most likely, in the whole of Europe) – a remarkable and intriguing location. Yet, fewer visitors are aware that near this waterfall lies another one: the tallest waterfall in the western part of Latvia, Kurzeme.

Aleksupite Waterfall, situated at the mouth of a small river winding through the historical center of Kuldiga, has formed on the Devonian dolostone of the Plavinas Formation. It stands nearly vertical. The information about the height of waterfall is conflicting: some mention 4.15 m or slightly more, but, the natural waterfall is somewhat lower, 3.6-4 m high. Over it has been constructed a man-made elevation.

Below the main falls in the river, there is a smaller step measuring 0.1-0.3 meters in height. Some 70-80 meters downstream, Alekšupīte flows into the Venta River.

Over the centuries, the town harnessed the power of the cascading water by constructing a watermill next to the waterfall, even during medieval times. To prevent the natural erosion and gradual retreat of the waterfall against the stream, it was reinforced with concrete since the 17th century. Consequently, Aleksupite Waterfall has undergone gradual reconstruction and now resembles a man-made dam. The watermill adjacent to it was constructed in 1807 atop the remnants of the previous mill, but it is no longer operational.

Zemgale Region, for the most part, resembles a flat tabletop, and the notion that it could harbor hills, cliffs, and even waterfalls once seemed absurd. However, in November 1993, Andris Grīnbergs (a close acquaintance of the author) first reported the existence of one!

Near the village of Jumprava, on both banks of the Lielupe River, stand scenic cliffs. These cliffs are composed of Upper Devonian dolostone, belonging to Bauska (Stipinai) Formation of the Frasnian stage. A small stream meanders across these cliffs on the right bank of the Lielupe, and it is here that the waterfall has taken shape.

The waterfall consists of four or five distinct steps, collectively reaching a height of 1.5 meters. The stream itself spans up to 2.8 meters in width. However, during the summer months, it tends to dry up.

Adjacent to the waterfall stands the Jumprava manor house. Today, this property is privately owned, and the waterfall lies within its confines, protected by a fence. Visitors can thus appreciate vintage images of this natural landmark.

Before its descent into the Venta River, the Abava flows through a pristine wilderness area. For tens of kilometres, dense forests stretch alongside the river, interspersed with rare farms.

On both banks of the Abava in this region, there are impressive sandstone cliffs. Composed of yellow, delicate sandstone, these formations were shaped during the Givetian stage of the Devonian period and belong to the Gauja Formation, or, possibly, the Burtnieki Formation. The highest cliffs, known as the Galmicu Cliffs, reach a height of 20 meters. Adjacent to them, on the opposite (right) bank of the Abava, lie the Sildruvu Cliffs (also frequently referred to as the Lejeju Cliffs). This continuous cliff wall extends for approximately 200 meters along the river.

Within the middle section of these cliffs, there is a delightful feature: a small waterfall stream that cascades over the cliff’s edge and then, in the final meter of its descent, plunges directly into the river below.

Experiencing this petite waterfall is sheer bliss — one can recline on the opposite bank and revel in its soothing, perpetual sound.

The accompanying images were captured during spring when the water level in the Abava is somewhat higher. Consequently, during the summer, the waterfall would likely be somewhat taller, although with reduced water flow.

Maras Kambari (Chambers of Mary) consists of three small grottoes nestled in a remote, sandstone canyon within a forested area along the Abava River. Today, a picturesque nature trail winds through this enchanting location, offering captivating views across the Abava River Valley.

Maras Kambari is steeped in legend and is considered a sacred site. According to local lore, during full moon nights, one might catch a glimpse of the mystical ‘svētmeitas’ — pagan priestesses — dancing within the grottoes.

Yet, hidden at the canyon’s inception is a modest waterfall. It cascades over a resilient layer of oolitic sandstone, flowing for only a few weeks each year and forming an icefall in winter. Currently standing at approximately 1.2 meters in height and up to 1 meter in width, this waterfall has undergone gradual transformations. In earlier times, it reached heights of up to 3 meters but has since receded, reshaping itself along the canyon.

Both the waterfall and the canyon have formed in the Upper Devonian sandstones of Amata Formation.

This minuscule waterfall is rather unsighty because a local road, that leads towards a single farmstead, crosses just before the fall and the small stream is channeled in a plastic pipe. Waterfall does not have much water in it and for the most part of the year it is dry. It is 0.6 m high and up to 0.4 m wide.

Nevertheless, this seems to be a natural waterfall. Well, nearby are a lot more picturesque waterfalls: Zarvalka Waterfall and Elciņu Valka Waterfall.

Valley of Abava River near Vegi village is some 1.3 km wide, while the river itself is just some 15 – 20 m wide. This undulating, picturesque valley was formed by the waters of the melted glacier at the end of the last Ice Age and is some 25 meters deep.

The small Zarvalks Brook is some 2 kilometres long and flows over the rim of the ancient valley downwards, towards Abava River.

While on the lower terraces of the valley on this brook have formed three more waterfalls (including the more impressive Zarvalka Waterfall), the first waterfall is on the upper rim of the valley.

This waterfall is hidden in dense bush at the rim of agricultural fields. It falls over the Devonian dolostone layer of Plavinas Formation. During the summer this waterfall usually is dry – the further falls, meanwhile, have some water even during the dry period of the year. Upper Zarvalka Waterfall is some 1.4 m high and up to 1.8 m wide.

In 2023-2024 the waterfall was partly hidden under an enormous, fallen tree.

In Latvia are many smaller waterfalls that fall over the cliffs just for some weeks per year. It would be hard to list them all – but some are more beautiful others and deserve a place in this website.

The seasonal waterfall over Zvigulu Cliffs is one of such landmarks. It falls directly in Salaca River over a beautiful cliff – some 200 m long Zvigulu Cliffs that are just below the Zvīguļi farmstead and Zvīguļlaivas: a boat rental and a resting place for rafters.

Waterfall falls over the red Devonian sandstone of Burtnieki Formation. Cliff around the waterfall has “documented” the floods in Salaca – the floating ice has left marks in the cliff.