- Address: Gauja National Park, Sigulda, Siguldas pilsēta, LV-2150, Latvia;
- Website: bobtrase.lv;
- Phone: +371 67 973 813;
- Open: every day from 08:00 to 20:00.
Do you want to dilute your photo album from a trip around Latvia with really cool pictures? Take a break in excursions to the picturesque nature parks and medieval palaces. Go to the sledge-bobsled track in Sigulda . Here, from the height of the launch complex, you will have a stunning view of the valley of the Gauja River . And if you have enough courage, you can get an unforgettable experience by going down one of the tracks on a real bobsled equipment.
The bobsleigh track in Sigulda is an adrenaline rush
The sports complex is located on the left slope of the Gauja coast, on top of the Pirtnieku mountain. The total length of the route is 1200 meters. At the longest distance, you can reach speeds of up to 125 km / h. There are 16 turns on the line. In some of their areas, the effect of weightlessness is achieved. This is not all bobsleigh tracks, so it is in Sigulda like to ride for thrill lovers of extreme sports.
Until 2014, when the sledge-bobsleigh track was opened in Sochi, the Sigulda complex was the only such kind in Eastern Europe. There are training and competitions in three sports:
- skeleton;
- bobsled;
- luge sports.
In Sigulda there are competitions of national and international format, stages of the World Cup and various championships.
History of the route
It turns out that the sledge-bobsleigh sport originated in Sigulda in the XIX century. Prince Kropotkin then ordered to build on the slopes of the hills near the river 900-meter track for sledding.
But the construction of a real professional track with artificial ice cover was first mentioned only in the 60s of the last century. The project was created in 1980 at the Latgiproprom Institute. The scientific center of East German Leipzig also participated in its development and financing. Construction of the route was assigned to the firm from Sarajevo . In 1986 the object was delivered.
In 2009, there was an open launch platform for tobogganing.
Things to do?
Visit the sledge-bobsleigh track in Sigulda will be interesting for both children and adults. From the height you can admire the picturesque views. A particularly beautiful picture opens late in the evening, when the sun goes over the horizon, reflected in the waters of Gauja.
Very exciting tour of the complex. You can view the track from different angles, learn about professional bobsleigh and sleigh gear, sit in a real skeleton, "bob" and see rare copies of sleds, preserved from the XIX century.
Quite often the complex is visited by professional sportsmen for training. Entry to the territory at this time does not overlap, just limit access to the descents along the routes. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with the stars of Latvian sports. Well, the bravest can even try on their role, having moved down the track on one of the equipment available for tourists:
- classic "bob" (can be 2, 3 and 4-seater, the sled will be run by a professional pilot, you just need to hold on tight and enjoy incredible sensations, the speed can exceed 100 km / h);
- "VUCHKO" - foam rubber soft "bob" (tourists can descend without an accompanying pilot in the number of 4-5 people, the speed reaches 60 km / h);
- "Frog" - a 2-seater simplified version of a skeleton made of foam rubber (head down, speed - up to 80 km / h).
In the warm season, everyone is invited to descend on a summer "bean" - a sleigh on wheels. They are designed for 2-3 people and develop speeds of up to 80 km / h.
Information for tourists
- It is not recommended to descend from the track in any form of equipment if there are problems with the cardiovascular system, back or neck;
- Children are allowed to skate from the age of 6 only accompanied by their parents;
- Adult admission ticket for the territory of the bobsleigh complex costs € 0.60, student € 0.3, children free of charge;
- Starting complex is open for visitors daily from 9:00 to 20:00;
- descent on "beans": winter - € 50, summer - € 10;
- descent to "VUCHKO": € 10 (only on weekends from October to April, from 12:00 to 17:00);
- descent on the "frog": € 20;
- on summer "beans" you can ride from May to September (from 12:00 to 17:00).
How to get there?
The bobsleigh track in Sigulda is 600 meters from the train station in the south-west direction.
From Riga you can reach Sigulda by bus or train. They walk almost every hour.
If you travel by car, follow from Riga along Pskov A2 highway.