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Pedal at your own pace through the diverse landscapes of the Baltics on a self-guided cycling adventure from Tallinn to Vilnius. While Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all share the shores of the Baltic Sea, each offers its own distinct blend of culture, cuisine and character — and you’ll experience these contrasts as you journey from one capital to the next. The route is mostly flat, following quiet country roads and bike paths ideal for independent travel. Cycle through Estonia’s serene Lahemaa National Park, where forest trails and unspoiled coastline await, then ride into the rolling hills of Otepää, known as the ‘Estonian Switzerland’. In Latvia, pause at Jurmala’s long white-sand beaches, visit a charming bicycle museum, and discover one of the country’s oldest churches. Crossing into Lithuania, explore the shifting dunes of the once-restricted Curonian Spit and take in the haunting beauty of the Hill of Crosses. As you near Vilnius, cap off your journey with a visit to the fairytale island castle of Trakai — a memorable finale to a richly rewarding ride through three unique nations.
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44kg of CO2-e PP per day
(445kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Tallinn
On arrival in Tallinn, make your way to the hotel (we can arrange an arrival transfer for you if required - supplement applies). In the early evening at 6pm you can join a guided tour of Tallinn's old town. The city grew in importance as a strategic port between Russia and Scandinavia, and has evolved into a vibrant cultural city with a delightful walled historic centre. There is an eclectic mix of medieval and modern, Soviet and classic Estonian, grand church spires and crumbling wooden houses. Dinner at leisure in Tallinn's emerging culinary scene.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycling in Lahemaa National Park (51km/32mi), overnight Sagadi
This morning you'll meet your minibus driver for the transfer to the start of your cycle. The route begins by taking you through the Lahemaa National Park, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. Lahemaa, or 'land of bays' is a nature lover’s paradise and the largest national park in Estonia, established in 1971. There are dense woods, marshes, lakes and waterfalls to discover. If you prefer wildlife to landscape, the park has moose, wild boars and over 220 bird species. Continue to Palmse and your guesthouse for overnight accommodation. Total Transfer: 100km/62mi - 1.5 hours
Meals: B
Day 3
Cycle along Peipsi Lake (50km/31mi), transfer to the university town of Tartu
Following a transfer by minibus to Mustvee, you begin a pleasant bicycle trip along the Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. Peipsi is the 4th largest lake in Europe, divided in two by the Russian border. En route, you’ll pass many fishing villages. You reach your hotel after a bus transfer to Tartu, a famous, historic university town (the university was founded in 1632). Overnight Tartu Total Transfer: 160km/99.5mi - 1.5-2hrs
Day 4
Cycle through the 'Estonian Switzerland' (28km/18mi), transfer to Sigulda
After a short bus transfer to Otepää, a beautiful place with many lakes, you begin cycling through the so-called “Estonian Switzerland”, absorbing the stunning landscape. The route takes you to Sangaste which is famous for its 19th century romantic castle built in the style of Windsor Palace. From here you transfer into Latvia where your destination is Sigulda, in the Gauja River Valley, which is the most popular resort in Latvia. En route stop in Cesis where you can visit the medieval old town. Overnight Sigulda Total Transfer: 235km/146mi - 3.5hrs
Day 5
Cycle through Gauja National Park (40km/25mi), transfer to Riga
As you cycle through Gauja National Park, enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valleys with the Gutmana Cave, the ruins of a 13th Century Crusaders Castle in Sigulda and the restored medieval style Turaida Castle. Finish your ride at the Baltic coast in Saulkrasti, where you may visit the Latvian bicycle museum. Afternoon transfer to Riga, the Latvian capital, where a guided tour of the charming Old Town awaits. After checking-in at the hotel you can explore this medieval Hanseatic town, famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. Overnight Riga Total Transfer: 50km/31mi - 1hr
Day 6
Explore Riga, cycle to Jurmala (35km/22mi), return to Riga by train
Today is free to explore Riga on your own and take a cycle ride on a bicycle path to Jurmala, a Latvian seaside resort well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. We recommend taking the opportunity to bathe in the sea and cycling along the beach – its well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min - not included). Overnight Riga
Day 7
Enter Lithuania, visit Hill of Crosses, cycle to Klaipeda (42km/29mi or 32km/20mi)
Transfer by minibus to the Lithuanian coast, stopping en route at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. You begin cycling towards Klaipeda on a great bicycle path, which follows the Baltic Coast along the Seaside Regional Park. En route pass Palanga, the well-known Lithuanian seaside resort. Enjoy a break here; perhaps visit the renowned Botanical Park, Amber Museum and the 470m pier heading out into the Baltic Sea. Overnight Klaipeda Total Transfer: 290km/180mi - 4hrs
Day 8
Ferry then cycle the Curonian Spit National Park (57km/36mi) to Nida
After breakfast you cross the lagoon by ferry (not included - allow EUR1 pp) and start cycling on an asphalt bike path which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Nida, the most beautiful resort in Lithuania, famous for impressive sand dunes and the Amber Gallery. En route you can visit the Hill of Witches which houses almost one hundred whimsical wooden sculptures about Lithuanian legends, scattered along a forest path. Or, if you prefer, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, explore the “Dead” sand dunes on foot, swim in the Baltic Sea or, simply relax and take in some sun on the golden beaches. Overnight Nida
Day 9
Cross the Curonian Lagoon, cycle to Vente Cape (31km/19mi), transfer to Kaunas
Take a morning boat across the Curonian Lagoon to the mainland (approx. 1.5 hours), enjoying a beautiful view of the Curonian Spit sand dunes. The cycle route takes you to Vente Cape where you can visit a bird observatory and the 19th century lighthouse which was used for more than 100 years. In the afternoon ride along the Curonian Lagoon through the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park then transfer by minibus to Kaunas. Overnight Kaunas Total Transfer: 210km/130mi - 3-3.5hrs, boat 14km
Day 10
Cycle to the island castle at Trakai (31km/21mi), transfer to Vilnius
After breakfast you are transferred by minibus to the Lake District where you begin cycling through picturesque countryside over gentle hills. Arrive in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you can visit the famous 14th century Gothic island castle erected on a small island in Lake Galve. Later a short transfer takes you to Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Set on the Vilnia river and with its historic centre awash with beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets, Vilnius has a wonderful ambiance. It has been known as the 'Jerusalem of Lithuania' or the 'Jerusalem of the north' and was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2009. This evening, a guided tour of the city awaits you. Overnight Vilnius Total Transfer: 97km/60.6mi - 1.5hrs
Day 11
Trip concludes
The trip concludes after breakfast. Transfers can be organised to the airport, or additional accommodation booked - please ask our staff for details.
What's included
What's not included
On this trip you will be provided with a 24 speed bike rental with back pedalling brakes The comfortable hybrid/trekking bikes are best suited to the roads and paths of the Baltics. The bike will be fitted with a pannier to carry your gear during the day and 1 tacho per booking.
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.
GRADE 3 - The trip requires a reasonable level of fitness to fully participate in the cycling. Daily biking routes are mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths range from 17 to 57km/10.5 to 36mi. The terrain is varied and rolling with some gradual hills on some riding days (some steep ups and downs in the Gauja River valley and Otepää region) and dead flat most of the tour.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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8Days
Moderate to Challenging
11Days
Moderate