Overview
Our walking holiday in Lithuania and Latvia is a breathtaking adventure of getting to know two beautiful countries where magical nature meets remarkable modern cities full of old myths and history.
Explore the Baltic states of Lithuania and Latvia while walking through the most beautiful parts of both countries. Visit the Pavilniai Regional Park, travel to the seaside town of Neringa and the Curonian Spit National Park, where you will admire the magnificent dunes, unique pine forests, and golden wild beaches. Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, will leave an unforgettable impression of a cosy and spectacular old town. Riga, Latvia’s capital, will surprise you with architectural diversity and modern cultural experiences. Take a walk in Latvia’s Gauja National Park, go hiking through beautiful nature trails and enjoy the exceptional medieval old town of Cesis.
- Curonian Spit National Park
- The golden beach of Neringa
- Find yourself in a desert while taking a walk in Grey Dunes
- Explore ancient history in one of Latvia‘s medieval castles
- Varnikai Botanical–Zoological Reserve
- Gauja National Park
- Vilnius & Riga old towns – UNESCO World Heritage sites
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Vilnius
Arrive on your own at the hotel in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. Depending on your arrival time, you will have the rest of the day to explore the charming old town.
- Accommodation: Railway Hotel*** or similar
Day 2: Pavilniai Regional Park | 10km
Today you will explore a regional park within Vilnius city boundaries (short train ride from the city – 7 min from Vilnius train station to Pavilnio station; ticket included). You can look over the entire area from the 65m high Pūčkoriai Exposure as soon as you arrive. The valley of the Vilnia River is the heart of the Pavilniai Regional Park. The Pūčkoriai Exposure is a unique geological monument. Take a stroll by the river, and visit the dam, the old manor and the watermill.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 10km
- Accommodation: Railway Hotel*** or similar
Day 3: Vilnius – Trakai | 7-15km
Today, after a short train ride (40min; ticket included), you will find yourself in the cosy medieval town surrounded by picturesque lakes and forests. Trakai is the medieval residence of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes. The town is also famous for its Karaim community living here since the 14th century, making “kibinai” – the best local pastries. Visit the Trakai Island Castle – famous for its gothic architecture and special location – it stands on an island on Lake Galve, one of the deepest lakes in Lithuania and the only Eastern European castle built on an island. The view of the historic structure is straight out of a fairy tale. This day offers two hikes to choose from – a shorter one around the Trakai town and peninsula and a longer one with an extension to Varnikai Reserve that will lead you through an old forest and meadow, offering nature lovers an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views and rich natural biodiversity. In the afternoon a private transfer will take you to your countryside accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 2-5h (7-15km)
- Accommodation: BnB Trakai or similar
- Luggage transfer from Vilnius to your accommodation in Trakai included
Day 4: Klaipeda – Karkle – Duchman’s cap |7km
Travel to the West coast of Lithuania and explore Klaipeda’s surroundings. Early morning a private transfer will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to Vilnius train station (30min) to catch the train to Klaipeda (4h; ticket included). Upon arrival to Klaipeda, you will drop your luggage at the hotel and stretch your legs before taking a breathtaking walk on the Baltic sea coast. The afternoon offers a spectacular 7km circular stroll along the Baltic sea coast. Walk through a thick forest, discover an ancient hillfort, have a glimpse of WW2 fortifications and bunkers lying just on the sandy beach and discover the cliff of the Dutchman’s Cap – the highest cliff on the Lithuanian Baltic seashore known for its spectacular view of the sea with a steep shoreline and stony beach. The Dutchman’s Cap is a narrow stretch of the Baltic Sea shore, where high and steep morainic scrap seems like resting on the sea. The cliff height reaches 24 meters above sea level.
- Walking for the day: 3 hours (7km)
- Accommodation: Old Mill*** or similar
Day 5: Klaipeda – Pervalka – Nida | 15-27km
Your private transfer will pick you up in the morning from Klaipeda to take you to the Grey dunes – another picturesque trail in the Nagliai nature reserve (buy your ticket from the ranger – 2€). Start the day’s walk and go further south along the coast of the Curonian lagoon to Preila. Before entering Pervalka village, you can have your picnic lunch in front of Lithuania’s smallest beacon, one of the most picturesque places in the Curonian spit. From Preila, you have the option to continue walking along the lagoon coast until Nida (another 12 km), or you can take a local bus (ticket not included).
- Walking for the day: 6h (15km, elevation gain – 47m); Optional walk Preila-Nida: 12km
- Accommodation: Nidos Banga*** or similar
- Luggage transfer from Klaipeda to your accommodation in Nida included
Day 6: Walking in Nida | 10km
In Nida, you can decide if you want to have a more relaxed day while resting on the beach or follow our prepared route that allows you to enjoy the highlights of this unique resort town. There are many different paths in Nida that you can follow. Still, on our route, you will not miss the most important sites – the wonderful Parnidis dune with a breathtaking view of 360 degrees, the Nida lighthouse, the ancient cemetery and the memorial museum of the Nobel prize winner in literature, Thomas Mann.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h (10km)
- Accommodation: Nidos Banga*** or similar
Day 7: Nida – Klaipeda – Riga | 5-10km
On this day, the private transfer takes you to the Klaipeda bus station (1h), where you will catch the bus to Riga (5h; ticket included). Situated on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava River, Riga can trace its roots back to the 2nd century AD when it was settled by the Livs, an ancient Finnish tribe. Throughout the centuries, Riga was occupied by, amongst others, Sweden, Russia and Germany. These days, Riga is a bustling city with a historic centre that gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. Spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating city and its beautiful architecture, art galleries, museums, leafy parks, cosy cafés and top-notch restaurants.
- Walking for the day (optional): 3-4h (5-10km)
- Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Kristofs or similar
Day 8: Exploring Riga | 5-10km
You will continue exploring Riga’s narrow streets and ancient alleyways in the morning. Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The Old Town’s walking tour includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. Overnight in Riga.
- Walking for the day: 3-4h (5-10km)
- Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Kristofs or similar
Day 9: Gauja National park | 12-14km
In the morning, you will take a local train to Sigulda (1h; ticket included). Once you arrive, you will drop your luggage at the hotel (15min walk from the station) and start exploring. Take a spectacular hike in one of Latvia’s most beautiful nature areas – the Gauja National Park, often called the Switzerland of Latvia by the locals. It is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia, characterised by great biological diversity, a variety of landforms, natural springs, sandstone outcrops, picturesque views and unique natural, cultural and historical monuments. During this day, you will have a very picturesque walk in Sigulda and hike medieval castle ruins, hills, caves, cliffs, impressive forests and wonderful sights of the River Gauja valley.
- Walking for the day: 6-7h (12-14km)
- Accommodation: Hotel Sigulda*** or similar
Day 10: Exploring Cesis | 4-5km
In the morning, you will take a train to Cesis (45min; ticket included). Once you arrive, you will drop your luggage at the hotel (15min walk from the station). You will discover another gem of the Latvian countryside – Cesis medieval town with more than 800 years of history. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Baltics. Cesis Medieval Castle is located in the city’s heart, next to Livonian castle ruins and several parks. Buildings from the Middle Ages also include St. John’s Church (built 1281–1284) and the ruins of the Order’s castle.
- Walking for the day: 2-3h (4-5km)
- Accommodation: Hotel Katrina*** or similar
Day 11: Cirulisi Nature Trail | 7km
Compared to the strenuous hike in Sigulda, today’s walk is a relaxing stroll, mainly in the forest, along rivers, streams and lakeshores. Cirulisi nature trails will let you admire the beauty of the Gauja River valley, revealing the area’s history. Discover the ancient beauty of the Gauja, sandstone cliffs, bottomless caves, and sacred springs on the Cirulisi nature trails.
- Walking for the day: 2-3h (7km)
- Accommodation: Hotel Katrina*** or similar
Day 12: Departure
Enjoy a final stroll through the beautiful Cesis before you depart on your own. Private transfers are possible upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in charming, centrally located 3*** hotels, guesthouses and apartments. We have carefully hand-picked all places, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Railway Hotel***
- B&B Trakai
- Old Mill***
- Nidos Banga***
- Boutique Hotel Kristofs
- Hotel Sigulda***
- Hotel Katrina***
















































*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will give you the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included in Vilnius, Trakai, Riga, Sigulda, and Cesis (not included in Klaipeda and Nida). When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should be bought from local shops. You can have dinner at the village inns and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
Easy walking with no high altitudes, except the walk on Day 9, which you can cut short if you feel it becomes too challenging (read more about difficulty grades). The itinerary is easy to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The tour is available from May to September. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The climate is slightly continental, with cold winters and mild, moderately rainy summers. Winter temperatures are cold, with average highs around 0C (32F), while in summer, the average maximum temperatures range around 20-22C (68-72F). In the summer the temperatures are mild during the day and cool at night. Typically, August is a bit rainier than June and July.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Lithuania and Latvia.
Click to view travel options
- From Vilnius airport take a bus to the city centre (ticket fare: 1€) – the journey takes around 10 min.
- Take a taxi from the airport to the city (to get a taxi use a Taxify, Bolt or Uber app, do not take one from the streets) – taxi fare should be 10€ to the centre.
- For more information, use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 overnights in 3-star hotels as detailed in the itinerary
- 6 nights in countryside B&Bs or guest houses
- Breakfast is included in Vilnius, Trakai, Riga, Sigulda and Cesis
- Train ticket Vilnius – Pavilnys
- Train ticket Vilnius – Trakai
- Train ticket from Vilnius to Klaipeda
- Train ticket from Riga to Sigulda
- Train ticket from Sigulda to Cesis
- Bus ticket from Klaipeda to Riga
- Private transfer Trakai to the accommodation
- Private transfer from Trakai to Vilnius train station
- Private transfer from Klaipeda to Pervalka Grey dunes
- Private transfer from Nida to Klaipeda bus station
- Luggage transfer from Vilnius to Trakai & from Klaipeda to Nida (one piece of luggage per person, max 20 kg)
- Detailed route notes (1 x per room) & GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Breakfast in Klaipeda and Nida, lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Extra night in Vilnius before the trip start date
- Private transfer from Vilnius to Klaipeda
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