Cycling in Estonia: along the west coast and Islands of Hiiumaa, Saaremaa & Muhu
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour distances: cycling ~480 km/300 mi, ferry 44 km/28 mi., bus ~2 hrs
Cycling grade: We grade this trip as easy to moderate. Daily signposted biking routes, mainly on roads with little traffic and cycle paths in towns, ranging from 38 to 78 km (24-49 miles) each day. The terrain is mainly flat, but in some places varied and rolling with some gradual hills, for example, between Tallinn and Padise. Three ferries between the Estonian islands and one bus journey from Pärnu back to Tallinn are planned on this tour (pay locally).
Arrival & departure information:
Airport:TALLINN
Ferry terminals: ferries from Stockholm (Sweden) & Helsinki (Finland)
12-days self guided cycling tour from/to Tallinn (Code SG9P)
Estonia is characterised by its unique natural landscapes and traditional hospitality. Vibrant cities, desert beaches, peace and the unspoiled beauty of the countryside - a paradise for cyclists. But it’s the Estonian islands which are the jewels of the country. You’ll spend your holiday on these islands which are amongst the most beautiful that the Baltic Sea has to offer. Lighthouses and windmills are the landmarks of these islands. To begin your journey, you will get to know the Estonian capital Tallinn. This tour then takes you from Tallinn to Haapsalu via Padise, and further from Haapsalu to the second largest island Hiiumaa before crossing to the biggest island, Saaremaa. En route back to the mainland, you’ll cycle on the island of Muhu & from there into the summer capital of Estonia, Pärnu.
The tour can be started in Tallinn all days from Sunday to Wednesday. No luggage transfers are available on this route. Luggage transport is possible only for 11 days tour program by skipping the route of Day 2 with overnight in Padise; and instead taking a train from Tallinn to Turba and cycling to Haapsalu (48 km).
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Tallinn
Individual arrival in Tallinn and transfer (not included) to your hotel. Overnight at 4* hotel in Tallinn.
Day 2: Tallinn – Padise, ~65 km/41 mi.
Collect your bikes and start cycling out of Tallinn on the EuroVelo route along the northern seacoast. En route you can explore Rocca al Mare Open Air Museum, Türisalu Cliffs, Keila-Joa Waterfall, Padise Manor House and monastery ruins. Overnight at tourism farm in Padise.
Day 3: Padise – Haapsalu, ~55 km/35 mi.
Explore Padise monastery ruins before starting to cycle on small asphalt roads with little traffic, but many forests and meadows. Arrive in Haapsalu, a traditional summer resort, with its picturesque small, wooden houses, castle ruins and beautiful sea promenade. Overnight at 3* hotel in Haapsalu.
Day 4: Hiiumaa Island, ~38 km/24 mi.
Cycle to Rohuküla (10 km) to catch a ferry to the beautiful Estonian island of Hiiumaa (22 km/1.5 hrs). Continue cycling to Kärdla, a “capital city", where you`ll stay for overnight at a guesthouse in Kärdla.
Day 5: Kassari & Saaremaa Island, ~56 km/35 mi. or ~80 km/50mi.
Enjoy the ride across Hiiumaa Island's wild beauty which is known as a nature lovers' paradise. Also you can visit an old wool factory or the Hiiumaa museum in Kaasari. Then your route goes to Sõru harbour and you'll continue by ferry to Saaremaa Island (15 km/1hr). Overnight at tourist farm nearby Leisi.
Day 6: Across Saaremaa Island to Kuressaare, ~52 km/33 mi.
Today's cycle route passes the Angla windmills and the Kaali meteorite crater, which is the most impressive natural monument in Estonia. Cycle to Kuressaare (overnight), the capital of Saaremaa and home to the 13thC bishopric castle. Overnight at hotel in Kuressaare.
Day 7: Kuressaare
Free day in Kuresaare for exploring the bishopric castle, cycle to Järve beach and sand dunes - popular place for swimming and sun bathing, or take a longer ride to Sõrve peninsula which is very interesting for nature lovers, hikers and swimmers. Transfer to Sõrve peninsula one way is for extra charge. Overnight at hotel in Kuressaare.
Day 8: Koguva & Muhu Island, ~78 km/49 mi.
Cycle on secondary roads and a 3 km long dam connecting the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu. En route to Koguva village you can stop to see the Maasi fortress ruins, small windmills, an ostrich farm and you can also make time to taste/buy homemade bread. Overnight at tourist farm in Koguva.
Day 9: Along the Western Seacoast, ~58 km/36 mi.
Continue the tour through Muhu Island to Kuivastu harbour, take a ferry (7 km/25 min) to the mainland and cycle along the coast through a nature reserve to Varbla. Overnight at hotel in Varbla.
Day 10: Varbla – Pärnu Resort, ~70 km/44 mi.
Your last cycling day will follow the seaside road passing a golf course and the sandy Valgeranna beach. Arrive in Pärnu - Estonia's summer capital & seaside resort, famous for its cultural life, many green parks, sandy beaches, etc. Overnight at 3* hotel in Pärnu.
Day 11: Pärnu – bus to Tallinn
After breakfast, leave your bikes at the hotel and take a public bus or private car transfer (not included) to Tallinn. Free time to explore the capital city of Estonia. Overnight at 4* hotel in Tallinn.
Day 12: Tallinn – end of the tour
2023 TOUR DATES
SG9P. 01.05 – 04.09.2023
(This tour can be started in Tallinn all days from Sunday to Wednesday. Not on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays).
12 DAYS TOUR PRICE per person (with 2 nights at 2* hotel / 4* hotel in Kuressaare)
DBL/Twin room - 955 EUR / 1095 EUR
SGL room - 1510 EUR / 1650 EUR
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- 11 nights stay at the hotels/guesthouses/tourist farms (rooms with WC/shower)
- 11 x breakfast
- 24 hours service hotline
- Individual information package (one paper copy per room): with maps and route description or electronic GPS tracks
ACCOMMODATION
- Middle-range hotels, guesthouses & tourist farms
- Rooms with shower/WC or bath/WC
NOT INCLUDED:
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Lunches & dinners
- Cycle rent
- Luggage transport (not possible on this route)
- Train/bus tickets
- Tips
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
- Rent of trekking bike (24-speed derailleur gears or 7-speed hub gears & back-pedal break) - 145 EUR**
- Rent of E-bike/Pedelec - 270 EUR**
- Rent of gravel/cyclecross bike equipped with a back rack – 180 EUR**
** included extra equipment and services: repair set with spare inner tubes (one repair set per booking) + waterproof handlebar bag with a map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) + collection of bikes at the hotel or bike rental centre in Tallinn/dropping off the bikes at the hotel in Pärnu.
- Rental of a pair of waterproof panniers (Ortlieb) for mounting on back rack (40 litres capacity) – 30 EUR
- Pre-tour accommodation in Tallinn 4* (with breakfast) - price per person per night Sun-Thu / Fri-Sat
Double/twin room - 59 EUR / 65 EUR
Single room - 95 EUR / 110 EUR - Arrival/departure transfer from/to Tallinn airport (price per transfer one way):
by car up to 3 people - 35 EUR
by minibus up to 7 people - 59 EUR
NOTES
- Discounts for extra bed in Double/Twin room - 15 %
- Minimum group size – 1 people
