Madona district can be divided into two contrasting types of terrain: the Vidzeme central highland and Lubana lowland.

The Vidzeme central highland is located in the north-eastern part of the district. The highland has a multi-structured hilly profile with separate ranges  branching off  in different directions- Gulbene , Madona, Trepe, Plavinu dam etc. The Vidzeme central highland borders on the glen of the river Gauja in the north- west, in the north-east on Vidusgauja valley, in the south-east on Austrumlatvijas lowland  where it gradually transforms into Viduslatvijas slope in the southwest. There are three most expressed ranges of hills.The south- east range with morain giant hills is situated in Madona district with a number of nearby lakes and rivers.

The highest point in Latvia Gaizinkalns (elevation 311,6 meters above the sea level) and other hills in the   territory of Madona district are  Nesaules kalns (284 m), Bakuzu kalns (267 m), Glemzu kalns (260 m), Spiru kalns (260 m) and numerous hillocks with beautiful  nearby lakes - Kakisa (Viesura), Kala, Lideres, Talejas, Liezeres, Pulgosnis.

The highest hills are 40 m high and up to 1 km in diameter with slopes of different obliquity ( 10 degrees- 35 degrees) and rounded peaks consisting of loamy soil or gravel and sand.

Gaizinkalns is a conical hill with a flat peak and slanting slopes. It rises 60 m over the surrounding area and is situated in a hilly area with a number of other hills around it  stretching 1 km  from the north-east to south west .It consists of sand, gravel and morain stoneless loam. The hill is covered with birch and fir- tree forest. The south-east range is limited by valleys with rivers Ogre and Perse.In the north-west part of Liezere parish there are valleys of Augsogre and Augsgauja which are lowlands with lakes and bogs or sandy plains which have been formed by waters carrying sand from thawing glaciers. Gulbene dam connects  Vidzeme highland and Aluksne highland in the north-west of the district . The dam is formed of clay, sand stones covered with 20-60 m of  sedimentary rocks forming 120-140 m  morain terrain with elevation above the sea level of 120-140 m. The hilly terrain has been formed by the glacier. It is covered by coniferous forests. The southern part of Madona district is crossed by Madona range of hills. It is formed of limoglacial garvel and stones. The hight of it reaches 60m and it is 1-5 km wide. It stretches  tens of kilometers crossing the district borders. In the  south-eastern part  there is the Varaklani range.

Lubānas zemiene – Lubana lowland occupies  the eastern part of the district. The plain has an extremely even surface because it was formely a water collection of glacier waters  with 93-115 m above the sea level. The area around the lake Lubans is formed of limoglacial sand and clay but the western and northern  parts  are  morains with sandy patches and giant boulders. Lowlands occupy 1000 square kilometrs of land surrounding lakes  and they are slightly elavated above the lake level. In some places there  is flat raised land. The off-flow of water is difficult there. The rivers falling into the lake gather waters  from the territory of 7000 square meters. Due to  poor water  drainage the area has a tendency of forming bogs. Lubana lake( 92,5 m above the sea level, 8270 ha out of which in Madona district  one third of the total lake area, the rest in Rezekne district) with flooding lowland , bogs and wet forests.

The first regulation of water level was started in 1926 and finalised in 1937 when the riverbed of Aiviekste river was deepened and Meirani channel was dug. Complex large scale hydrological and hydrotechnical work  was started in 156 and were finalised in 1981 forming a complex  system of channels, dams and flood- gates.

The majority of forests and bogs of Lubana lowland are state- protected ( Teici nature reserve, Parabaine nature reserve). The economy of the region is determined by the unique hydrological conditions. By the support of Japanese hydrological agency in 2000 a new project of Lubana lake managemnet has been worked out.