Vilnius to the Coast Cycle

Name: Vilnius to the Coast Cycle
Brand: UTracks
SKU: LTV
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

Strolling through Kaunas old town. | Laimonas Ciunys

Cycling on the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

A beautiful afternoon looking over a lake in Kaunas. | Andrius Aleksandravicius

Horse and carriage still in use near Trakai, Lithuania

Scenic cycling through pine forests in Lithuania | Andrew Bain

Cycling along the Baltic coastline in Lithuania

The vibrant colours of Kaunas old town. | Laimonas Ciunys

The Curonian Spit is a pre-historic sand dune peninsula | Gesine Cheung

Strolling through Kaunas old town. | Laimonas Ciunys

Cycling on the Curonian Spit | Gesine Cheung

A beautiful afternoon looking over a lake in Kaunas. | Andrius Aleksandravicius

Horse and carriage still in use near Trakai, Lithuania

Scenic cycling through pine forests in Lithuania | Andrew Bain

The vibrant colours of Kaunas old town. | Laimonas Ciunys

The Curonian Spit is a pre-historic sand dune peninsula | Gesine Cheung

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

Duration

9 days

Activities

self guided cycle

Accommodation

8 nights in 3-4 star hotels

Meals

8 Breakfasts

Price

$1590USD

Overview

Trip Code: LTV

Trip highlights

Discovering the varied landscapes, enchanting folklore and rich traditions of this proud Baltic nation
Immersing yourself in Lithuania as you cycle from the vibrant capital to the coast.
Experiencing a completely different side of Europe, with its interesting mix of old and new

An immersive cycle journey tracing the history of Lithuania from the vibrant capital to the coast. Following low traffic roads and dedicated cycle paths, the trip will showcase the rich birdlife, diverse cultures, World Heritage sites and largely flat landscapes that make travelling in this region so different to anywhere else in Europe. Highlights abound as you cycle with time to experience the sights including Trakai and its 14th Century castle and the former capital of Kaunas. Enter the previously off-limits Curonian Spit with its 'Dead Dunes' and abundant birdlife and pedal past 16th Century castles, follow the Nemunas River and through pine forest host to the White Stork, Lithuania's national bird. Enjoy the challenge of crossing this fascinating country by pedal power.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive Vilnius (Lithuania)

Arrival in Vilnius and make your own way to the hotel. We can assist with an arrival transfer from the airport if required, please ask for our rates.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Optional guided bike tour of Vilnius, afternoon cycle to Trakai (14+39km /9+24mi)

Your rental bike will be delivered to the hotel this morning. Later, join a 2 hour guided bike tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. In the afternoon you'll cycle to Trakai, a former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania where you can visit the 14th century castle built on a small island in Lake Galve. Overnight in Trakai.

Meals: B

Day 3
Cycle around Lake Galve and to Elektrenai, transfer to Kaunas (45 or 60km/28 or 37.5mi)

In the morning take an optional return bike trip around Lake Galve to see beautiful Užutrakis estates and view the picturesque Trakai Insular Castle (15 km/10 miles). Continue cycling on a scenic, rolling road through the land of lakes and hills. Finish up in Elektrenai where the most powerful thermal power station in Lithuania is located. Take a public bus equipped with bicycle racks (included) for an hour ride to Kaunas, the second largest city and former Lithuanian capital from 1919-1939. Overnight in Kaunas.

Meals: B

Day 4
Cycle along the Nemunas River enroute to Panemune Castle (76km/47mi)

The morning is free to explore the Old Town of Kaunas, before you will cycle along the Nemunas River to Mikytai. Here you'll take a ferry (not included) across the river to Vilkija, then continue cycling along the river to the impressive Panemune Castle, which dates from 16th-17th century. En route you'll cross the Dubysa River, pass Veliuona mound hill, the grave of the Grand Duke Gediminas and Raudone Castle. Overnight in Panemune Castle (hotel).

Meals: B

Day 5
Continue along the river to Jurbarkas then Smalininkai, transfer to Silute (37km/23mi)

Continue cycling along the Nemunas River to Jurbarkas. From Jurbarkas you'll ride towards Smalininkai, which for many years was a border town between Lithuania and the Germanised Klaipeda Region. From there take a public bus equipped with bicycle racks to Šilute (included). Overnight in Šilute.

Meals: B

Day 6
Ride to Vente Horn, cross the Curonian Lagoon by boat to Nida (33km/20.5mi)

In the morning you will cycle to Vente Horn, where you can visit the 19th century lighthouse and the Ornithological Station. Enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape, including a glimpse of the Curonian Spit's sand dunes washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. Cross the Curonian Lagoon by boat to Nida, a former fishermen's village and now the largest town on the Curonian Spit. it is one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Overnight in Nida.

Meals: B

Day 7
Free day to explore Nida

Enjoy a free day 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 the Neringa region. Cycle or walk along some impressive sand dunes and 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 Nida.

Meals: B

Day 8
Cycle the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda (58km/36.3mi)

This morning, cycle on an asphalt bike path through woods along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route you can stop for a walk on a wooden path to the Dead Dunes, where you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. With luck you can watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, and explore the Hill of Witches, which has one hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante village. Arrive in Smiltyne-Klaipeda, take a ferry to the Old Town (not included) and cycle to your hotel where our representative will meet you for the bike return this afternoon. Overnight in Klaipeda.

Meals: B

Day 9
Trip concludes

The trip concludes after breakfast. Enjoy a stroll through this fascinating town before you depart. We can assist with a transfer to Palanga airport, the international ferry terminal or bus/train station for your departure, or with extra nights accommodation if you'd like to stay longer - please ask for our rates.

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

8 breakfasts
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, 1 night guesthouse in twin room with private facilities
Hybrid bike rental with helmet, waterproof handlebar bag with a map/smart phone holder, one tachometer per two bikes, waterproof panniers. (E-bike available - supplement applies)
Information pack with route notes and map (one set per room), GPS tracks provided
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece 20kg and 1 small daypack, supplement applies for excess
2 hour guided bike tour of Vilnius on Day 2
Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon
Bus tickets Elektrenai to Kaunas & Smalininkai to Šilute (or minibus transfers if a larger group)
Hotel taxes
Emergency hotline

What's not included

Travel to Vilnius and from Klaipeda
Meals not listed as included, drinks
Optional dinner package available for 6 nights - supplement applies
Travel insurance - mandatory
Guide - this is a self guided cycling holiday
A single supplement will apply if you are booked in a single room
Bike Hire security deposit. Euro 100 for hybrid bikes / Euro 200 for E-bikes or Gravel bikes
Local ferries in Vilkija and Klaipeda
Entrance fees not listed included
Excess luggage
Transfers not listed included
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Hybrid Bike

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.

Superior bike

Cyclecross bike (Kona Jake), available with a supplement - with lightweight alloy frame (51 cm/20" and 54 cm/21"), 20-speed gears. Great for sportive cyclists, these have wider tyres (35 mm) and disc brakes. More universal and suitable for rides on good asphalt and gravel roads. Equipped with water bottle holders.

Superior Carbon Gravel Bike

Gravel bikes (Silverback Siablo CF) Available with a supplement. Suitable for road cycling and forest trails of any quality and surface (asphalt, gravel and even dirt roads in remote places) Bike weight 10kg - frame size 54, 56 or 58cm. 28in wheels & tyres, SRAM hydraulic disc brakes, 11-speed derailleur gears (SRAM 10-42T)

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

MODERATE – GRADE 3 The cycling is moderate grade with daily cycles of around 33 to 76km / 20 to 47.5mi. The route is mostly flat and the cycling is mainly on roads with little traffic and cycle paths - only very short distances are cycled on roads with more traffic. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of cycling fitness to participate fully in this adventure. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Departure dates

Notes

High Season

DN1

HIgh season is 1 Jul to 31 Aug - supplement applies

DN2

Helmets can be supplied on request. Must be pre-booked.

DN3

Departures on other dates are available for minimum 6 people.

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

$1590USD

Options & Supplements*

Cyclecross bike (Kona Jake) or Gravel Bike supplementUSD$48
E-bike supplementUSD$110
Premium gravel bike supplementUSD$140
Optional dinner package - supplementUSD$300
Single supplementUSD$570

*Prices listed are per person

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