Itinerary

Cycling Tour along the Lithuanian Seaside

8 days / 7 nights | from / to Klaipeda |  self guided

Discover the Baltic Sea coast visiting Palanga Resort and the Curonian Spit National Park, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, explored individually by bicycle on very scenic cycling routes. 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 7 years ago. The tour begins & ends in the historic coastal town of Klaipeda (known as Memel for many years) which boasts a rich, turbulent history from 13thC. Nowadays, it's a bustling, modern town offering many excellent leisure options ranging from history tours, to water sports. Guests spend 2 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, by cycle or canoe its unique surroundings; its geology, birdlife, the influence of the Lagoon etc.

Itinerary with start  Wednesday (cycling ~ 253 km/158 miles  / minibus ~ 40 km/25 mi, boat/ferry ~14 km/9 mi.)

Day 1 (Wed): KLAIPĖDA

Arrival in Klaipeda (formerly Memel), Lithuania's historic harbour city. Individual transfer to your hotel (not included). Dinner on request at the hotel. Overnight stay in Klaipeda.

Day 2 (Thu): Klaipeda - Palanga - Klaipeda | cycle tour approx. 58 km

At 9.00 a.m. tour briefing at the hotel and handover of the bikes. Cycle to Palanga (Polangen) on the Lithuanian Coastal Cycle Route through the Baltic Sea Coast National Park. During the ride you will discover the ‘Dutchman's Hat’ - a 24 metre high cliff, the old fishing village of Karkle, the botanical garden with the Amber Museum in Palanga in the former castle of Count Tiszewicz. The museum illustrates the formation and processing of amber and has an impressive collection of amber finds, many with insect inclusions. Numerous cafés on the famous Basanavicius Street invite you to pay a visit. Stroll across the 470 metre long pier. Return journey to Klaipeda. Overnight stay in Klaipeda.

Day 3 (Fr): In the land of storks: cycle tour to Šilutė: Klaipeda - Šveksna - Šilute | cycle tour approx. 47 km, minibus approx. 40 km

Short transfer by minibus to the centre of the country in the morning. Cycle along picturesque country roads through Pamary's meadows to Šilute (Heydekrug). This region is known as the land of storks; white storks are the symbol of Lithuania. On the way, stop in Sveksna with its beautiful park and impressive neo-Gothic church in the centre of the small town. Overnight stay in Šilute.

Day 4 (Sat):  Šilute - Rusne Island - Šilute | cycle tour approx. 47 km.

A free day to relax in Šilutė (Heydekrug). Or take a tour of the island of Rusnė (Russ) in the Memel Delta, the largest of its kind in Lithuania. No wonder the Memel Delta Nature Park was established here. If you stand on the banks of the Nemunas River in Rusnė, you can see the Russian Kaliningrad region just 100 metres away from you on the other bank. Along the way, you can explore a new memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach in the village of Rusne. Cycle around the island and explore the wild nature and beautiful views from the birdwatching towers and the 19th century lighthouse located in the harbour of Uostadvaris. Return to Šilutė. Dinner on request at the hotel.

Day 5 (Sun):  Cycle to Windenburg Corner & crossing the Curonian Lagoon to Nida: Šilute - Vente (Windenburg) - Nida | Cycle tour approx. 33 km, boat trip approx. 14 km

Cycle from the hotel to the ‘Windenburg Corner’, where you can visit one of the first bird stations in Europe and the 19th century lighthouse. The lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the unique landscape - the glistening waters of the Curonian Lagoon and the large sand dunes. Every year, a million birds migrate through Ventė Horn. The boat trip to Nida / Nidden offers views of the impressive sand dunes of the Curonian Spit. Arrive in Nida and cycle to the hotel. Accommodation and dinner on request at the hotel.

Day 6 (Mon): Nida - rest day on the Baltic Sea | cycle tour approx. 10 km

The day is at leisure: Cycle or hike along the sand dunes of the spa town of Nida, the largest town on the Curonian Spit and one of the most beautiful spa towns in Lithuania. The old architecture of the fishermen's houses fascinates with its unique style and authenticity. Nida is also famous for the Thomas Mann House, the Amber Gallery and the High Dune. Overnight stay in Nida.

Day 7 (Tue):  Nida - Juodkrante - Klaipeda | Cycle tour approx. 58 km

You cycle along the tarmac ‘coastal cycle path’ through the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. On the tour you can stop at the ‘Dead Dunes’ and visit the colony of cormorants and herons, the witches' hill with bizarre wooden figures from Lithuanian legends. Or take a dip in the Baltic Sea and enjoy the golden beach. Arrival in Smiltyne (Sandkrug) and ferry crossing to Klaipėda Old Town, cycle to the hotel. Dinner on request at the hotel.

Day 8 (Wed): Klaipeda

Breakfast at the hotel and end of the cycle tour.

Itinerary when starting on Thursday:

Day 1 (Thu): Klaipeda

Day 2 (Fri): Klaipeda - Šveksna - Šilute (Cycle tour approx. 47 km; minibus approx. 40 km)

Day 3: (Sat): Šilute - Rusne Island - Šilute (cycle tour approx. 47 km)

Day 4: (Sun): Šilute - Vente (Windenburg) - Nida (cycle tour approx. 33 km, boat 14 km)

Day 5 (Mon): Nida - rest day at the Baltic Sea (cycle tour approx. 10 km)

Day 6 (Tue): Nida - Juodkrante - Klaipeda (cycle tour approx. 58 km)

Day 7 (Wed): Klaipeda - Palanga - Klaipeda (cycle tour approx. 58 km)

Day 8 (Thu): Klaipeda

Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.