The Sietiniezis Rock is one of the highest white sandstone outcrops in Latvia, being 15 meters high and around 0.5 kilometers long. It is situated on the right bank of the Gauja River between Valmiera and Janmuiza about 2 kilometers downstream from Liepas Rock.
There are numerous insect aisles dotting the rock, making it look like a sieve, hence its name (sietins is the Latvian word for ‘a sieve’).
One can enjoy a view on the Gauja Valley from the southern part of Sietiniezis, and there are scenic pine forests surrounding the rock. You will find small caves and grottos, as well as gullies and pillar-like formations.
There are trails and picnic areas in the vicinity of Sietiniezis for the purposes of nature protection and for the convenience of visitors.
The Gauja River hits the northern part of Sietiniezis and makes a turn. Looking from the river, the rock rises nearly vertically at the base to form a concave slope towards the top. It is 200 meters long and about 13 meters high, with pale yellow sandstone of the Gauja Formation exposed up to 6 meters from the water level.
