Overview
Being the southernmost of the Baltic states, Lithuania offers great opportunities for a cycling adventure in a less-known region, full of authentic culture and local character. Explore the dunes of Palanga and the Curonian Spit National Park, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and experience traditional Lithuanian country life when cycling in the Nemunas River Delta region. This tour partly covers the Seaside Cycle Route, which was the first officially signposted, high-quality cycle route in Lithuania opened a decade ago.
The tour begins and ends in the historic coastal town of Klaipeda, which boasts a rich, turbulent history from the 13th century. You also spend two nights in Nida, the largest settlement on the Curonian Spit. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing seaside break or explore on foot, bike or canoe its unique surroundings, geology, birdlife etc.
- The Resort Town of Palanga
- The Historic Town of Švėkšna
- Nemunas River Delta Regional park
- Curonian Spit National Park
- The Resort Town of Nida
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Klaipėda
Arrive in Klaipėda on your own. Private transfer to the hotel is available upon request. The city is a bustling, modern place with a great selection of cafes and restaurants and many annual festivals focusing on jazz, folklore and the sea. The leisure options on offer range from history tours to water sports, so there is plenty to do if you choose to spend extra nights here, either at the beginning or end of the tour.
- Accommodation: Old Mill Hotel or similar
Day 2: Along the Seaside Cycle Route to Palanga | 58km
In the morning you will meet our representative, who will hand you the bikes (if you rent them from us) and explain all the details of the itinerary to you. You start cycling to the resort town of Palanga, an idyllic route that leads north through the Giruliai Forest and the Seaside Regional Park, passing Plazė Lake and the Dutchman’s Cap (a scenic coastal cliff). Along the way, you will have many opportunities to detour to the seashore if you wish. Arriving in Palanga, you can visit the Botanic Park and the remarkable Amber Museum housed in a former palace, relax on the miles of sandy white beach, stroll along the 470-metre pier and delight in the charming cafes and restaurants of J.Basanavičius pedestrian street. Return to Klaipėda using the same or a slightly different route.
- Cycling for the day: 58km
- Accommodation: Old Mill Hotel or similar
Day 3: Klaipėda – Švėkšna – Šilutė | 44km
A short transfer takes you to the small town of Veiviržėnai where you start your ride on picturesque countryside roads through Pamarys meadows to Šilutė, once a notable fish market with a cosy old square, harbour and plenty of cafes and restaurants. En route, stop in Švėkšna village to explore the famous estate with its beautiful park and the impressive neogothic church of St.Jacob the Apostle.
- Cycling for the day: 44km
- Accommodation: Gilija Hotel or similar
Day 4: Rusnė Island | 47km
This morning you ride on the tiny lanes and bridle paths to Lithuania’s only island – Rusnė Island, located in the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park. The village of Rusnė is full of rural charm, and its museum houses a traditional fisherman’s smallholding. En route, you can explore Rusnė village with a new monument to Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach, the old water pumping station and the 19th-century lighthouse in Uostadvaris Harbour.
- Cycling for the day: 47km
- Accommodation: Gilija Hotel or similar
Day 5: Ventė Cape and Crossing the Curonian Lagoon | 33km
Cycling to Ventė Cape with a bird ringing station and ornithological museum along the way. Stop at the 19th Century lighthouse for glimpses of the glistening Curonian Spit dunes and then sit back as you cross the lagoon by ferry (1.5-2h) to arrive in Nida, the largest settlement on the Curonian Spit. Your hotel lies at the heart of this former fishing village.
- Cycling for the day: 33km
- Accommodation: Nerija Hotel or similar
Day 6: Free day in Nida | 10km
Nida is one of Lithuania’s most beautiful resorts, with the Curonian Lagoon on one side and the fine sandy beaches of the Baltic coast on the other. Visit the Fisherman’s House, the Amber Gallery and the summer home of the famous writer Thomas Mann. You can also relax on the beach, cruise in a traditional sailing boat, canoe to see the Dead Dunes and take your pick of the cafes and restaurants.
- Cycling for the day: 10km or more if you cycle to Kaliningrad
- Accommodation: Nerija Hotel or similar
Day 7: Nida – Juodkrantė – Klaipėda | 58km
Pedal through the timeless landscape of the spit today on the peaceful seaside bike path leading to Klaipėda. Often going through pine forests with the coast always nearby, the bike path gives you one or two dunes to scale (the only slopes of the tour). Stop at the Dead Dunes and spot the colonies of grey herons and cormorants. Juodkrante is another fishing village with the lagoon’s waters lapping along its shoreline, providing a truly charming location for you to enjoy. Stop en route at golden sandy beaches, go swimming in the Baltic Sea and saunter through the forests to reach Smiltynė, where you take the ferry back to the Old Town of Klaipėda for your last night. Here you will return your bikes before checking into your hotel.
- Cycling for the day: 58km
- Accommodation: Old Mill Hotel or similar
Day 8: Klaipėda Park
Enjoy a final stroll through this fascinating town before you depart on your own. Private transfer to the international ferry terminal or bus/train station possible upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in charming 3-star hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
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 exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on each day. For lunch and dinner, you will have many choices of restaurants and grocery stores all along the way. Once you arrive at your accommodation, you can ask the local hosts about the best places to eat around. If you prefer to have the evening meals included, you can add a half-board supplement from the booking form.
Difficulty and terrain
We grade this trip as Easy to Moderate, with routes ranging from 10 to 58km per day, mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths (read more about difficulty grades). You will cycle on low traffic roads (a few stretches on gravel/sandy road) and designated cycle paths (half of the tour), including the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. The terrain is flat most of the tour, except for a few hills on the Curonian Spit. We provide individual information package upon arrival, including city guides, maps, programme and route description. We can also provide GPX files with all the tracks, which you can load on your smartphone app or GPS device. The road signage is good, so navigating between the towns is quite easy.
When to go
The tour can depart on each Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday between late May and early September. Individual departures on other days are also possible for groups of more than 4 people (upon request). Please note that surcharges of up to 100 GBP per person are possible if you depart on 23, 24 or 30 July 2022. Weather is best in July and August, still, accommodation availability is limited in these months, so better book well in advance. The climate is slightly continental, with cold winters and mild, moderately rainy summers. Typically, August is a bit rainier than June and July.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Palanga Airport at Klaipėda
By train or bus
By Ferry
You can also arrive at the ferry terminal at Klaipėda. Possible options from Kiel & Rostock, Germany and Karlshamn & Trelleborg, Sweden.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays in double/twin en-suite rooms (3-star hotels)
- 7 breakfasts
- Welcome meeting
- Transfers as per itinerary (no airport transfers included, bookable on request)
- Luggage transport as per itinerary
- Boat trips across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida
- Individual information package (one per room): city guides, maps, programme and route description (electronic copy sent by email in advance and a hard copy provided at first hotel)
- GPS tracks24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not explicitly mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
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
- Bike rental (standard trekking bike or e-bike)
- Helmet rental
- Half-board meal plan (including dinner)
- Airport transfers
Bike Rental
In case you would like to rent a bike from us, we can offer you our standard hybrid bikes equipped with 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears or our e-bikes with Bosch driving system, 7-speed Shimano Nexus hub gears. Both options come equipped with a waterproof back pannier and handlebar bag with a plastic cover for GPS/smartphone.
Gallery
