Salaca river valley with Mazsalaca and Skaņaiskalns

Vidzeme

Listen to the landscape

Skaņaiskalns, the pride of Mazsalaca, is a 20-metre-high and 90-metre-wide Devonian red-sandstone cliff, the smoothest cliff in Latvia. It is a “natural church” with unique acoustics – sound rebounding from the curved rock creates an echo. Hence its name – the resounding hill. The Skaņaiskalns nature reserve has been established here and features the Vilkači pine, the Kurbada trail with oak sculptures, and the steep Sapņu (Dream) stairway.

Not far away are the Neļķi (Carnation) cliff and caves, a Liv sacrificial cave and castle mound, Velnakmens (Devil Rock), Enģeļi (Angel) cave and many other natural features extolled in folk tales.
The Vilkači Pine, in the Skaņaiskalns Park, has roots that have been uncovered to a height of 1.5 metres. Local legend has it that anyone who can squeeze through the pine’s roots will never suffer any misfortune.
The Valtenberģi Manor and its park are located on the banks of the Salaca in Mazsalaca. It was a school for a time, but is now home to the Mazsalaca Regional Museum.