Summer bobsleigh Sigulda review: is the Olympic track ride worth the trip?
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Sigulda: summer bobsleigh adventure on the Olympic track
Duration: 5 hours
- Hotel pickup
- Best seller
The summer bobsleigh: 60 seconds on an Olympic track that most tourists have never heard of
Sigulda has an Olympic bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track — one of only a handful in the world. In winter it hosts professional international competitions. In summer, from April to September, it is open to tourists in wheeled bobsleigh sleds that reach speeds of up to 100 km/h through the same 16 corners that professional athletes use.
This is not a theme park ride. It is a real Olympic-specification facility that has been adapted for tourist use. The sled, the track, the banked turns, the acceleration into the straights — all of it is the real thing. The sensation of the corners at 80+ km/h, with the centrifugal force pressing you into the sled and the Gauja valley forest blurring past, is not something you can replicate anywhere closer to home.
The ride lasts approximately 60 seconds. Many visitors describe the immediately preceding question “why did I do this” followed by the immediately following question “how do I do it again.”
SEASONAL NOTE: The summer bobsleigh operates April through September ONLY. The track converts to ice in October and does not take tourists in wheeled sleds during winter. Do not book this experience if visiting outside April–September.
| Where | Sigulda, ~50km northeast of Riga, Gauja valley |
| Cost | around €60–72 per person depending on option |
| Time needed | around 5 hours door to door from Riga (60–90 second ride) |
| Getting there | included hotel pickup on the main option, or train from Riga if going independently |
| Best time | April–September only; weekday mornings are quietest |
What’s included and what’s not
Summer bobsleigh adventure (€68, 5 hours total, from Riga):
- Duration: 5 hours total including hotel pickup, drive to Sigulda, briefing, ride, and return
- Hotel pickup from Riga: included
- Language: English
- What you actually ride: 1 run on the Olympic track, approximately 60–90 seconds
- Includes: hotel pickup, briefing, all safety equipment, guide accompaniment
- Not included: food, photos/video (available for purchase at the track)
- Season: April–September (approximate — verify before booking)
- 4.8 stars, 215 reviews — best seller badge
Thrilling summer bobsleigh with round-trip transfer (€72, 5 hours):
- Duration: 5 hours
- Similar package with round-trip transfer, slightly higher price
- 4.8 stars, 90 reviews
- Alternative for visitors who want a slightly smaller group
Soft bobsleigh ride on the Olympic track (€60, 5 hours):
- Duration: 5 hours
- The “soft” version — lower maximum speed, same track
- Best for: children, visitors who want to experience the track without the maximum speed
- 4.7 stars, 130 reviews — well-rated budget option
- Note: the soft bobsleigh still reaches 60–70 km/h — it is not slow
The honest review
The summer bobsleigh at €68 with hotel pickup is the best adventure experience available from Riga. Not “best for the money” — simply best. There is nothing else within day-trip range of Riga that offers the combination of adrenaline, authenticity (a real Olympic track), and a story worth telling for years.
The 4.8-star best-seller status reflects consistent quality. The guided package includes hotel pickup, so no transport logistics to manage. The track staff are professional and experienced — this is a busy tourist operation that also handles international athletes, so the safety standards are serious.
The honest arithmetic: you spend 5 hours door to door for a 60-second ride. If you evaluate experiences by time-at-activity per euro, this tour scores poorly. If you evaluate experiences by intensity, novelty, and longevity of the memory, it scores extremely well. The 60-second Olympic track ride is the kind of thing you describe to people for years. The 4.5-hour drive-wait-drive is the logistics overhead that makes it possible.
The soft bobsleigh at €60 is the right choice for: visitors who are nervous, children, those who’ve had a knee or back injury, and anyone who just wants the track experience without the full intensity. It genuinely is not slow — 60–70 km/h through 16 corners on an Olympic track is still a memorable experience. The standard bobsleigh is for those who specifically want maximum speed.
The €72 thrilling transfer option from Sigulda (not from Riga) is an alternative for visitors who are already in Sigulda. If you are doing the Cēsis-Sigulda-Turaida day trip and want to add the bobsleigh, this is the relevant option.
How it compares to the other bobsleigh options
The three options are variations on the same activity: the same Olympic track, the same 60-second ride, different speeds and departure logistics. The main bobsleigh at €68 from Riga is the default. The soft bobsleigh at €60 is for those who prefer lower speed. The €72 option from Sigulda is for those already in the town. None is categorically better — the right choice depends on your speed preference and starting location.
| Option | Price | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer bobsleigh, hotel pickup | around €68 | up to 100 km/h | first-timers wanting the full package |
| Soft bobsleigh | around €60 | 60–70 km/h | children, nervous riders, budget |
| Thrilling transfer from Sigulda | around €72 | up to 100 km/h | visitors already in Sigulda for the day |
When to go: month by month
The track only takes tourist bobsleigh runs April through September, so timing is really about which month within that window suits you best, not whether to go at all.
| Month | Conditions | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| April–May | Track just reopened, cool mornings, forest still bare | Quiet, easiest to book last-minute |
| June–August | Peak season, warm, long daylight | Busiest — book 2–3 days ahead, especially weekends |
| September | Track closing soon, cooler air, autumn colour starting | Moderate, good value window |
| October–March | Track converts to ice, no wheeled tourist runs | N/A — visit for winter sports spectating instead |
Combining the bobsleigh with the rest of Sigulda
Sigulda rewards a full day rather than a quick in-and-out for the bobsleigh alone. The town sits in the Gauja National Park valley and packs in medieval history alongside the adrenaline activities. Most visitors doing the Cēsis–Sigulda–Turaida day trip build the bobsleigh into a longer itinerary that also covers Sigulda’s medieval castle ruins and the hiking trails around Gūtmaņa Cave.
If speed at height rather than speed on a track is more your thing, the Aerodium wind tunnel sits nearby and offers a genuinely different kind of adrenaline — indoor skydiving rather than cornering at speed. Our Aerodium review covers what to expect if you want to stack both in one day.
For travellers planning ahead, the 4-day Riga itinerary with Sigulda shows how a full day trip like this fits around Old Town time, and the Sigulda vs Cēsis comparison is useful if you are still deciding which day trip to prioritise on a shorter visit.
What if it rains
The bobsleigh runs in light rain — the track drains well and the ride itself is over in under two minutes, so a drizzle rarely causes a cancellation. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, or high winds can pause operations for safety, in which case the operator will rebook you rather than refund outright in most cases; check the specific listing’s weather policy before you go. Because the ride is so short, a rainy morning followed by a dry afternoon is often enough to still get your run in — flexibility on timing within the day helps.
Best for / not for
Pick this if you:
- Are visiting Riga in summer (April–September) and want the most distinctive adventure experience in the region
- Are travelling with teenagers or adults who enjoy speed and adrenaline
- Are on a second or repeat visit to Riga and want to go beyond the standard sightseeing
- Have already visited Sigulda for the castles and want to return for the track
Skip this if you:
- Are visiting Riga outside April–September (the summer track is not operating)
- Have back, neck, or knee injuries that make high-speed cornering uncomfortable
- Are on a tight budget — €60–68 for 60 seconds of actual ride is a premium for a specific kind of experience
- Are not interested in adventure activities
How to book (and what to do if you’re flexible)
Check availability and current dates for the Sigulda summer bobsleigh adventure (€68, best seller)For the thrilling transfer option: the thrilling summer bobsleigh with round-trip transfer from Sigulda (€72)
For the gentler speed option: the soft bobsleigh ride on the Olympic track (€60)
Book 2–3 days in advance in summer — popular weekend slots fill up quickly, particularly in July and August. Free cancellation up to 24 hours. Mobile ticket. Hotel pickup included on the main option.
Frequently asked questions about the Sigulda summer bobsleigh
Where is the Sigulda bobsleigh track?
The track is located on the ridge above the Gauja River valley in Sigulda, approximately 50 km north-east of Riga. The adventure complex includes the bobsleigh/luge/skeleton track, the bungee jump tower, and (nearby) the Aerodium wind tunnel.
Can children ride the summer bobsleigh?
Children can ride the soft bobsleigh from approximately age 7–10 (with parental consent and within weight limits). The standard bobsleigh has higher minimum age requirements. Check the current listing for specific age and weight limits, as these may change by season.
What do I wear on the bobsleigh?
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. A helmet is provided. Remove earrings and any loose items before the ride. Long hair should be tied back.
Is the Sigulda track the same used in the Winter Olympics?
The Sigulda track has hosted World Cup and European Championship events in bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton. It is Olympic-standard but has not been used for Olympic Games themselves (Latvia has not hosted the Winter Olympics). Athletes from multiple countries train here.
What if I’m nervous before the ride?
Normal. The briefing is thorough, the staff are experienced, and you will be in the sled with a professional driver (you steer alongside or behind the driver depending on the format). The nervous feeling before the start is well within the range of “pleasantly terrifying” rather than genuinely dangerous.
Can I combine the bobsleigh with other Sigulda activities in one day?
Yes, and most visitors do. A common pattern is the ride first thing, then Sigulda’s castle ruins or the Gūtmaņa Cave hiking trails in the afternoon, with the Aerodium wind tunnel nearby if you want a second adrenaline activity. See the Cēsis–Sigulda–Turaida day trip for a full itinerary that includes it.
Is the bobsleigh worth it if I only have one day in Sigulda?
If speed and a unique story matter more to you than seeing every castle, yes — budget the morning for the bobsleigh and the afternoon for the castle ruins. If you’d rather prioritise history and views, the Sigulda vs Cēsis comparison can help you decide how to spend a single day trip from Riga.