10 days self-guided supported circular cycling tour from Riga (Code SG14)

The Baltic coast and National Parks of Estonia and Latvia explored on very scenic routes, including the two capital cities – Riga and Tallinn – with their old towns designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Featuring the beautiful Gauja River valleys and the largest and most beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa; the National Park Lahemaa, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast, Otepää Lakeland – the so-called “Estonian Switzerland”. Travel on a circular route starting from Riga in Latvia and following the Coast of the Baltic Sea and Peipsi Lake a major part of the tour in Estonia; enjoy a great variety of towns, villages and landscapes, and get an excellent feel for the different characters of these distinctive countries.

The tour begins in Riga where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Next day your rental bicycles will be ready for your first ride to Jurmala Resort. This trip is a half-guided tour ie during the whole trip, except Jurmala, our driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Riga & Tallinn) lead by professional guides. Our driver will transport your luggage every day to the next hotel. If you have a breakdown, then our driver will take care of everything for you. If you have any problems – contact the driver or our office.

This trip takes 10 days to complete; if this is too long for you, you can also check our 7-day or 8-day cycling itinerary of Latvia and Estonia: from Riga to Tallinn (code SG14x).

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Latvia): Arrive in Riga

Arrive in Riga. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included) where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Check-in at the hotel
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar

Day 2 (Latvia): RIGA & JURMALA Seaside resort

Breakfast followed by a meeting at the hotel with our representative and bicycle collection. Then you may take part in a guided tour of Riga Old Town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon free time in Riga or cycling on a bicycle path to Jurmala, a renowned Latvian seaside resort well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. We recommend that you take the opportunity to bath in the sea and try cycling along the beach – its well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min; not included). (Cycle ~30 km/19 mi, by train ~25 km)
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar

Day 3 (Latvia): Riga & GAUJA National Park

Transfer to Saulkrasti, where you may visit the Latvian bicycle museum. Start your bike ride to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia. Cycling through Gauja National Park, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave, Turaida Castle and the oldest Latvian Church, Krimulda, built in 1205. Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~40 km/25 mi, by minibus ~50 km)
OVERNIGHT: Sigulda; HOTEL: SIGULDA*** or similar

Day 4 (Latvia-Estonia): Sigulda - Saaremaa

Morning transfer to the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa. With little traffic and flat roads Saaremaa provides the perfect rural setting for cycling. Travel on picturesque roads along the Baltic Sea Coast to the village of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. Transfer to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays in the old town. (Cycle ~38 km/24 mi, by minibus ~330 km, ferry ~6 km/4 mi)
Overnight in Kuressaare: Hotel JOHAN SPA**** or similar.

Day 5 (Estonia): Saaremaa island

Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty – Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse. Finish the day in Kuressaare, a home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13thC. Optional dinner at the hotel or local restaurant. (Cycle ~56 km/35 mi, by minibus ~50 km).
Overnight in Kuressaare: Hotel JOHAN SPA**** or similar.

Day 6 (Estonia): From Saaremaa island to Tallinn

Take a morning ride to the Kaali meteorite crater which is listed on the world's giant craters list and it is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia. Transfer by bus to Tallinn. In the afternoon arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. (Cycle ~28 km/18 mi, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry ~6 km).
OVERNIGHT: Tallinn; HOTEL: HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar

Day 7 (Estonia): Tallinn- National Park Lahemaa

After a short minibus transfer go for a circular bicycle ride through National Park Lahemaa which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. The National park is a nature lover’s paradise. There are dense woods, marshes, lakes and waterfalls to discover. If you prefer wildlife to landscape, you can see moose, wild boars and over 220 bird species. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~59 km/37 mi., by minibus ~100 km)
OVERNIGHT: Palmse; HOTEL: PALMSE GUESTHOUSE or similar

Day 8 (Estonia): Lake Peipsi – along the Russian border – Tartu

Morning transfer by bus to Mustvee where you’ll begin a pleasant bicycle trip along Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. Peipsi is 4th largest lake in Europe, divided in two by the Russian border. En route, you’ll pass many fishing villages. You reach your hotel after a bus transfer to Tartu, a famous, historic university town (the university was founded in 1632). Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~50 km/31 mi., by minibus ~160 km)
OVERNIGHT: Tartu; HOTEL: DORPAT*** or similar

Day 9 (Estonia - Latvia): Cycling through the “Estonian Switzerland" in OTEPÄÄ

After a short bus transfer to Otepää, a beautiful place with many lakes, start your cycling through the so-called “Estonian Switzerland” and begin to appreciate your surroundings. Finish your cycling of the day in Sangaste which is famous for its 19th century romantic castle built in the style of Windsor Palace. Transfer into Latvia where your destination is Riga. En route stop in Cesis where you can visit the medieval old town. Check-in at the hotel. (Cycle ~28 km/18 mi., by minibus ~285 km)
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar

Day 10 (Latvia): Tour ends in Riga

Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.