Cycle Tours - Baltics
CYCLING IN THE BALTIC STATES
If you like cycling then discovering the Baltics on a bike might be something you should definitely try. The ferry takes you from Kiel to Klaipeda where your journey could already start.
There is a lot to see and to discover in the Baltics on the bike: the legendary Curonian Spit of Lithuania, city of Kuldiga in Latvia which is known as Northern Venice or small islands Kihnu and Vormsi in Estonia are just few places you could add to your travel plans. And don’t forget to count with extra time to admire the beauty of the Baltics.
Bicycle tour in Klaipeda
Rested, you arrive at the port of Klaipeda and can swing directly on your bike to cycle around the city center. On the almost 4.5 km short distance you can get a first overview to Klaipeda. During your stay in the beautiful port city you can explore some sights, such as the Delphinarium & Sea Museum or the old sailing ship "Meridianas", which is used today as a restaurant. There is more to see: Drive through the angled streets of the old town past the Theaterplatz, where the Simon Bach fountain with the landmark Klaipeda's "Ännchen von Tharau" stands. Experience the city that was once Memel on your very individual bike tour. Take the pedestrian ferry from Klaipeda to Smiltyne and embark on an unforgettable bike ride along the Europe Road R1.
Beauty of Lithuanian coast
The coastal cycle path leads through fragrant pine forests and always offers spectacular views of the Baltic Sea and the dunes of the Kurischen courtyard - it is considered one of the most beautiful cycle paths in Lithuania.
After approx. 20 km you reach Juodkrante and after another 30 km the fishing village Nida. In addition to many restaurants, hotels and restaurants, there are some interesting sights such as the Thomas Mann House and a sailors' museum to visit. During your bike ride, enjoy the charm of the unique natural and cultural landscape that the Curonian Nutrition offers.
Cycling on the Greenways in Latvia
The best time of year to discover Latvia by bike is from May to October. Here you can find bicycle routes with different lengths and levels of difficulty. Cycle along the greenways, these are former railway lines on which the rails have been removed, so that the tracks are suitable for cycling. Depending on the chosen route and region, you have the opportunity to visit smaller and larger cities, admire historic castles and mansions as well as experience beautiful beaches. If you are a bike lover and interested in history, you can’t miss the Bicycle Museum in Saulkrasti, 50 km from Riga. Here you can admire the largest collection of old bicycles in the Baltics.
Discover the beautiful places in Latvia
In western Latvia you can admire the city of Kuldiga, also known as Northern Venice and its old town or the widest (100-100 m wide) waterfall in Europe, the Venta waterfall. Latgale in eastern Latvia, known as the Land of the Blue Lakes, enchants with the abundance of lakes. Western and northern Latvia are better known for their rocky beaches and beautiful landscapes on the banks of the Gauja River. Here you can take a bicycle tour of the Gauja National Park or visit the medieval fortress in the town of Cesis. Small Latvian town Valka offers something completely different: possibility to ride a 8-seats railway bike on the narrow gauge railway of Valka in the direction to town Ape.
Cycling on hiking trails in Estonia
Estonia has a well-developed network of roads for cyclists, where the distances are short and the traffic on the roads is not high. Here you can find a number of hiking trails, f.e. 10 km long President’s Trail in Aegviidu, which in addition to walking can be traversed also by bike. For those who would like to have the start and end-points to be the same can try out circular hiking trails in the Northern and Southern Estonia among which there are mountainous, swampy and forest roads.
From flat landscape to mountainous Estonian roads
In the northern and western part of Estonia you will find a flat landscape. You can enjoy cycling in the summer capital Pärnu or in the resort of Haapsalu or take a 54 km long cycle path built on the Turba-Haapsalu-Rohuküla railway dam where you can see the old Kiltsi airport or the ruins of Ungru castle.
More mountainous roads await you in southern Estonia, where you can visit the small town of Otepää, a well-known winter holiday destination, where you can hike the paths of the Otepää Nature Park in summer or admire the beauty of the Pühajärve Lake. In addition, the smaller islands of Estonia such as Kihnu or Vormsi are definitely worth a visit and an exploration by bike.