Walking in Lithuania and Latvia

Day 1: Vilnius, Lithuania

Check in at your hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city. Depending on your arrival time, take time to explore this fascinating capital city, which has the Old Town at its core, but is also enveloped by a growing modern metropolis. You can get a great perspective from the tower of St John’s Church, seek out boutiques and cafes in the Užupis district, and immerse yourself in culture at Nacionalinė Dailės Galerija or the Vilnius City Opera.

• Accommodation: Hotel Rinno or similar in Vilnius

Day 2: Pavilniai Regional Park | 10km

Take a short train ride (7mins, ticket included) from Vilnius to Pavilnio station, where you can get views over the stunning landscapes of Pavilniai Regional Park from Pūčkoriai Exposure viewpoint, which is a protected geological monument. Take a stroll by the River Vilnia, taking in Pūčkoriai Manor, Belmontas Mill and dam.

• Walking for the day: 4h, 10km
• Accommodation: Hotel Rinno or similar in Vilnius

Day 3: Vilnius – Trakai | 7-15km

Take a short train ride (40mins, ticket included) to Trakai, a medieval town surrounded by lakes and forests. Trakai was also the medieval residence of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes. The town is also famous for its Karaim community, who have lived here since the 14th century. Visit Trakai Castle, a fairytale-like creation located on an island in Lake Galve. After that, you have two hikes to choose from: a shorter one around Trakai town and peninsula, or a longer one to Varnikai Reserve which takes you through ancient forests and meadows. In the afternoon, you are transferred to your rural hotel in Trakai.

• Walking for the day: 2-5h (7-15km)
• Accommodation: BnB Trakai or similar in Trakai

Day 4: Klaipėda circular walk | 7km

You are transferred to Vilnius train station (30mins) where you catch the train to the port town of Klaipėda (4h, ticket included), from which you can explore the stunning beach and Baltic sea coast, on a 7km circular trail. This takes you through coastal forest and beaches, peppered with WWII fortifications and bunkers, and you also walk past an ancient hill fort en route to Dutchman’s Cap – the highest cliff on the Lithuanian coast at 24m.

• Walking for the day: 3h (7km)
• Accommodation: Old Mill or similar in Klaipėda

Day 5: Klaipėda – Pervalka – Nida | 15-27km

You are transferred from Klaipėda to the Dead Dunes in Nagliai Nature Reserve (pay locally). Walk along the coast of the Curonian Lagoon to the village of Pervalka, a perfect place for a picnic overlooking Lithuania’s smallest lighthouses, located between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic. Continue on to Preila, where you have the option to continue walking along the lagoon coast as far as Nida (another 12km), or take a local bus (payable locally).

• Walking for the day: 6h (15km); Optional additional walk Preila-Nida: 12km
• Accommodation: Nidos Banga or similar in Nida

Day 6: Nida rest day or 10km walk

In Nida, you can have a more relaxed day at the beach or follow our trail around this unique resort town, taking in its famous Parnidis Dune, Nida lighthouse, ancient cemetery and the Thomas Mann Memorial Museum, in the building that was once the summer residence of the German Nobel Prize winning author.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h (10km)
• Accommodation: Nidos Banga or similar in Nida

Day 7: Riga, Latvia | 5-10km

You are transferred to Klaipėda bus station (1h), where you take a bus to Riga (5h, ticket included). Located on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava River, Riga can trace its roots back to the 2nd century when it was settled by the Livs, an ancient Finnish tribe. Riga is now bustling city, with a UNESCO historic centre. Take timme to 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: 3-4h (5-10km)
• Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Kristofs or similar in Riga

Day 8: Riga | 5-10km

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. Take an Old Town walking tour (payable locally) which 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 in Riga

Day 9: Gauja National Park | 12-14km

Take a local train to Sigulda (1h, ticket included). Once you arrive, drop your luggage at the hotel (15mins walk from the station). Take a spectacular hike in one of Latvia’s most beautiful nature areas – Gauja National Park. It is the largest and oldest national park in Latvia, named after the river that flows through it which has carved sandstone cliffs within it, and supports tributaries and trails such as the Ligatne and Amata Rivers that snake across it. Your walking route takes you to the park’s medieval castle ruins.

• Walking for the day: 6-7h (12-14km)
• Accommodation: Hotel Sigulda or similar in Sigulda

Day 10: Cēsis | 4-5km

Take a train to Cēsis (45mins, ticket included). Drop your luggage at the hotel (15mins walk from the station) and then spend the rest of the day exploring Cēsis, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. We recommend visiting Cēsis Castle, located in the town’s centre next to the Livonian castle ruins as well as several parks. Other buildings of historical interest include the 13th-century St. John’s Church and the ruins of the Order’s Castle.

• Walking for the day: 2-3h (4-5km)
• Accommodation: Hotel Katrina or similar in Cēsis

Day 11: Cirulisi Nature Trail | 7km

Take the Cesis city bus (number 9, payable locally) from Cesis bus station to Gaujaskalns. From there, walk along the Cirulisi Nature Trails through the Gauja River Valley, forest, and along the river and lakeshore.

• Walking for the day: 2-3h (7km)
• Accommodation: Hotel Katrina or similar in Cēsis

Day 12: Departure

Private transfers to stations or the airport are possible upon request.