Vaidava - Mustjegi

The Vaidava river is considered one of the most exciting rivers of the active water tourism in Latvia.

For the first 10 kilometres of its flow the Vaidava river making crazy curves flows through a lowland overgrown by the mighty conifer forests. The river is shallow and its bed is covered with sand. The shores are mostly covered by reeds beds where beavers do their work. There are many fallen trees and impassable wooden obstructions therefore single-seater SitInTop kayak is the best boat for this stretch. At the end of the stretch a dredged stretch will make an unpleasant surprise. There is an interesting wooden bridge at the “Imantas” houses at the end of it.

 The natural flow of the Vaidava river comes back but the river has been changed - shores have become higher and there are more and more stones showing up in the flow. There is a potentially dangerous place at the ruins of Šļukums water mill - the barrier of the old dike creates an interesting rapid that continues on the old stones of the mill. A previous experience is mandatory here during high water levels but in the winter this place is impassable and it should be passed around.

There is a good parking place at V383 (Jaunlaicene - Alūksne) road bridge

There is a good parking place at V383 (Jaunlaicene - Alūksne) road bridge and you can start paddling by canoe boats. The next stretch to the Karva HPP is a cascade of often curves and fast flows. You must be careful at the ruins of Ķikuti mill (right behind the V384 road bridge) during high water levels - the river makes 90 degree curves which are very close one after another. There are still fallen trees in the river but many of them can be passed. The reservoir of Karva HPP is a scenic lake with inclined shores which makes the rowers happy with its mosaic type agriculture landscape.

There is the Grūbe HPP with nice settlement places at E77 (Rīga - Pleskava) road bridge. It takes one day to paddle from here to the river mouth of Mustjogi.

 It is impossible to not see the Raganu klintis (Witches' Cliffs) - scenic sandstone outcrops on the left shore of the Vaidava river. 8 km from Ape there is Vastse - Roosa HPP where are good settlement places on the left shore. The serpentinophilous fish path along the dike is an interesting place of interest.

 The Vaidava river starts to lose its rapidity and charm after the Vastse - Roosa. An osier bed shows up on the shores and trees brought by flood pile up in coves. It is better to finish the paddling at the Vaidava river mouth Mustjogi.