Lithuania Coastal Cycle

Cycling along the Baltic coastline in Lithuania

Taking time away from the saddle to explore the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

Our Baltic coast cycle will take you through Lithuania's lush northern pine forests | Gesine Cheung

Cycling past the palace in Palanga, Lithuania | Andrew Bain

Sand dune landscape on the Curonian Spit

Cycling on the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

Cycling along the Baltic coastline in Lithuania

Taking time away from the saddle to explore the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

Our Baltic coast cycle will take you through Lithuania's lush northern pine forests | Gesine Cheung

Cycling past the palace in Palanga, Lithuania | Andrew Bain

Sand dune landscape on the Curonian Spit

Cycling on the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

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Duration

8 days

Activities

self guided cycle

Accommodation

3 star hotels

Meals

7 Breakfasts

Price

$990USD

Overview

Trip Code: LTH

Trip highlights

Discovering the varied landscapes, enchanting folklore and rich traditions of these proud Baltic nations
Experiencing a completely different side of Europe, with its interesting mix of old and new
Cycling at the UNESCO listed Curonian Spit
Learning about traditional Lithuanian country life in the Nemunas River Delta region

The Baltic country of Lithuania has many treasures waiting to be discovered by travellers keen to step off the beaten track. This cycling tour explores both the scenic coastal landscapes and the culturally diverse traditional countryside of Lithuania. The tour starts in the coastal town of Klaipeda, rich in beauty and history. This bustling, modern town offers many leisure options and is home to a range of cafes and restaurants, as well as many annual festivals. You'll discover the traditional countryside while cycling in the Nemunas River Delta region and cycle along the first signposted route in Lithuania, the stunning Seaside Cycle Route. Two nights in Nida, the largest settlement on the Curonian Spit, rounds off this diverse itinerary, leaving you with time to enjoy a relaxing swim in the sea, or to walk, cycle or canoe its unique surrounding region.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

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Saturday or Wednesday
Sunday or Thursday Departures

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Day 1
Arrive Klaipeda

Arrive in Klaipeda, Lithuania’s third-largest city and main port, situated on the Dane River. After checking into your hotel, explore this former Prussian capital’s mix of new and old including the cobbled Old Town with its distinctively German flavour. If you arrive early in the day you can visit the Curonian Spit.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
By bike along the Seaside Cycle Route to Palanga, return to Klaipeda (58km/36mi)

This morning at 9am you will have an information meeting at your hotel where you will be greeted by our local representative. Today you will cycle to Palanga resort along the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route leading through Giruliai Forest and the Seaside Regional Park. En route you can explore the Dutchman’s Cap – a 24-metre-high coastal cliff and Plaze Lake. In Palanga you can visit the Botanical Park and Amber Museum, cycle along J. Basanavicius pedestrian street with many cafes and restaurants and explore the 470m pier heading into the Baltic Sea. Return to Klaipeda using the same or slightly different route.

Meals: B

Day 3
Morning transfer inland, cycle on country roads to Silute (47km/29mi)

Morning transfer by minibus inland to Veivirzenai, where you'll start cycling on picturesque countryside roads through Pamarys meadows to Šilute. This region is known as a land of storks and the White Stork truly deserves its place as Lithuania's national bird. En route you can stop in Švekšna village to explore the estate with its beautiful park and impressive neo-Gothic church of St Jacob the Apostle. Overnight in Šilute. Bus transfer: 40km/25mi

Meals: B

Day 4
Loop cycle to Rusne Island in the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park (47km/29mi)

Explore Šilute town and go for a return ride to Rusne Island, which is the only Lithuania’s island located in the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. Be sure to visit Rusne village and find a new monument of famous Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and his good friend Hermann Kallenbach. From there you can see the Russian oblast of Kaliningrad just 100 metres across the Nemunas river. Cycle around the island and explore its wild nature and beautiful views from birdwatching towers and the 19th C lighthouse in Uostadvaris Harbour. Return to Silute and your hotel.

Meals: B

Day 5
Cycle to Vente Cape (33km/21mi) then boat across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida

Today's cycle takes you to Vente Cape where you can visit a renowned bird ringing station with a museum of ornithology and the 19th century lighthouse which has a panoramic view of the unique landscape including a glimpse of the glistening Curonian Spit sand dunes. One million birds pass through the station each migratory period. Take a boat (14km) to cross the Curonian Lagoon and arrive in Nida, then ride to your hotel. Overnight in Nida. Boat transfer: 14km/9mi

Meals: B

Day 6
Free day in Nida, explore by foot or by bike (10km/6mi)

You're free today to explore Nida which is a former old fishermen’s village on the Curonian Spit, washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. Today Nida is the largest settlement in Neringa region and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Cycle or walk along impressive sand dunes, visit the most popular places of interest – the Fisherman’s House, the summer house of famous German writer Thomas Mann and the Amber Gallery. Overnight in Nida.

Meals: B

Day 7
Cycle along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda (58km/36mi)

Today you will cycle on the paved bike path of the Seaside Cycle Route, which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route you can explore the “Dead” sand dunes on foot, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, visit the Hill of Witches which houses one hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures of Lithuanian legends scattered along a forest path, swim in the Baltic Sea, or relax and take in the sun on golden beaches. After arriving in Smiltyne, you take a ferry to the Old Town of Klaipeda. Overnight in Klaipeda.

Meals: B

Day 8
Trip concludes

The trip concludes this morning in Klaipeda after breakfast.

Meals: B

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrive Klaipeda

Arrive in Klaipeda, Lithuania’s third-largest city and main port, situated on the Dane River. After checking into your hotel, explore this former Prussian capital’s mix of new and old including the cobbled Old Town with it’s distinct German flavour. If you arrive earlier, you can visit the Curonian Spit.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Morning transfer inland, cycle on country roads to Silute (47km/29mi)

This morning at 9am you will have an information meeting at your hotel where you will be greeted by our local representative. You will then transfer by minibus inland to Veivirzenai, where you’ll start cycling on picturesque countryside roads through Pamarys meadows to Šilute. This region is known as a land of storks and the White Stork truly deserves its place as Lithuania’s national bird. En route stop in Švekšna village to explore the estate with its beautiful park and impressive neo-Gothic church of St Jacob the Apostle. Overnight in Šilute. Bus transfer: 40km/25mi

Meals: B

Day 3
Loop cycle to Rusne Island in the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park (47km/29mi)

Explore Šilute town and go for a return ride to Rusne Island, which is the only Lithuania’s island located in the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. Be sure to visit Rusne village and find a new monument of famous Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and his intimate friend Hermann Kallenbach. From there you can see the Russian oblast of Kaliningrad just 100 metres across the Nemunas river. Cycle around the island and explore its wild nature and beautiful views from birdwatching towers and the 19th C lighthouse in Uostadvaris Harbour. Overnight in Silute.

Meals: B

Day 4
Cycle to Vente Cape (33km/21mi) then boat across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida

Today’s cycle takes you to Vente Cape where you may visit a renowned bird ringing station with a museum of ornithology and the 19th century lighthouse which has a panoramic view of the unique landscape including a glimpse of the glistening Curonian Spit sand dunes. One million birds pass through the station each migratory period. Take a boat to cross the Curonian Lagoon to Nida. Arrive in Nida and cycle to the hotel. Overnight in Nida. Boat transfer: 14km/9mi

Meals: B

Day 5
Free day in Nida, explore by foot or by bike (10km/6mi)

Meals: B

Day 6
Cycle along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda (58km/36mi)

Today you will cycle on an asphalt bike path of the Seaside Cycle Route which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route you can explore the “Dead” sand dunes on foot, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, visit the Hill of Witches which houses a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures of Lithuanian legends scattered along a forest path, swim in the Baltic Sea, or relax and take the sun on golden beaches. Arrival in Smiltyne where you take a ferry to the Old Town of Klaipeda. Overnight in Klaipeda.

Meals: B

Day 7
By bike along the Seaside Cycle Route to Palanga, return to Klaipeda (58km/36mi)

Today you will cycle to Palanga resort along the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route, leading through Giruliai Forest and the Seaside Regional Park. En route you can explore the Dutchman’s Cap – a 24m high coastal cliff and Plaze Lake. In Palanga you can visit the Botanical Park and Amber Museum, cycle along J. Basanavicius pedestrian street with many cafes and restaurants and explore the 470m pier heading into the Baltic Sea. Return to Klaipeda using the same or slightly different route.

Meals: B

Day 8
Trip concludes

The trip concludes this morning in Klaipeda. Arrangements end after breakfast.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

7 breakfasts
7 nights in 3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Hybrid bike rental with helmet, handlebar bag and one tachometer per two bikes. (E-bike available - supplement applies)
Information pack with route notes and map (one set per room), GPS tracks
Luggage transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg and 1 small bag / backpack, supplement applies for excess
Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon to Nida
Transfer by minibus from Klaipeda to Veivirženai
Emergency hotline

What's not included

Travel to and from Klaipeda
Meals not listed as included, drinks
Travel insurance - mandatory
Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday
Bike Hire security deposit. Euro 100 for hybrid bikes / Euro 200 for E-bikes or Gravel bikes
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Entrance Fees, not listed as included
Transfers not listed as included
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
Excess luggage
Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Hybrid Bike

On this trip you will be provided with a 24 speed bike rental with handlebar brakes. The comfortable hybrid/trekking bikes are best suited to the roads and paths of the Baltics. You will be provided with a pannier to carry your gear during the day, a handlebar bag with map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) and tachometer.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 18 years and minimum height requirement is 150cm / 4ft11in. A maximum weight of 120kg also applies for e-bike rentals. A security deposit of EUR200 per e-bike is required to be paid locally.

Grading

moderate

The trip is graded moderate (grade 3). You will cycle on low traffic roads (some gravel ones), sandy forest trails and high-quality cycle paths of the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. The terrain is dead flat most of the tour, except a few sand dunes on the Curonian Spit.

Departure dates

Notes

High Season

DN1

High season 21 Jun - 27 Aug, supplement applies

DN2

This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternative tour suggestions. Groups of 4 or more can choose a custom start date between 26 May and 1 Sep (subject to availability). Childrens bikes and trailers available - ask our office for child rates.

IT2

Departures on Sunday and Thursday follow a slightly different itinerary

DN4

The Sea Festival is from 29 July to 1 August - dates possible on request.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$990USD

Options & Supplements*

Electric Bike SupplementUSD$120
7 dinner package (3 courses)USD$290
7 dinner package (3 courses) - inconjunction with the 4* hotel Klaipeda optionUSD$330
Single SupplementUSD$400

*Prices listed are per person

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