New! 10 days self-guided cycling tour from Klaipėda to Riga via Samogitia (Code SG3x)

A cycle tour through some of the most beautiful areas of Lithuania before crossing into Latvia to explore its hidden treasures. The journey begins by cycling along a famous Lithuanian Seaside route along the Baltic coast. This longer tour version includes an inland loop through Samogitia (Žemaitija) National Park which is famous for its picturesque landscape and is known to many as the Lakeland with several lakes surrounded by forests and hills. Its natural beauty hides the Plokštinė Soviet missile base where nukes once waited for an order to obliterate the capitalist countries of the western bloc. The route continues through beautiful countryside in Latvia with its constantly changing landscape, small villages & old towns to end in the former Hanseatic port of Riga.

This trip takes 10 days to complete; if this is too long for you, you can also check our 8-day self-guided cycling tour from Klaipėda to Riga (tour code SG3) which goes from Lithuanian border to Liepaja on the main busy road with no bike path or sidelanes for bikers.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Klaipėda

Individual arrival in Klaipėda and transfer to your hotel (not included). Hotel check-in. OVERNIGHT at central 3* Klaipėda hotel.

Day 2. Along the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route Klaipėda--Palanga (appr. 30 km/19 mi)

Collect rental cycles at your hotel (if pre-ordered) and optional morning ride to Smiltynė where you can have a chance explore part of the Curonian Spit National Park (an extra day for the longer ride along the Curonian Spit could be also an option). Finally cycle on asphalt cycle path through the Seaside Regional Park to Palanga resort, famous for its Botanical Park and Amber Museum. Arrive in Palanga, Hotel check-in. OVERNIGHT at central 4* Palanga hotel

Day 3. From Palanga to Samogitian Region: Šventoji-Salantai-Plateliai (appr. 73 km/45 mi)

Continue cycling on picturesque cycle path along the Baltic Sea Coast to Šventoji. From there go deeper inland to Samogitia (Žemaitija) Region which has many villages famous for their wooden churches and a lake district, now a national park around Plateliai. Arrival to Plateliai Lake, hotel or guesthouse check-in. OVERNIGHT at 3* hotel or guesthouse.

Day 4. Around Plateliai lake and through Samogitian land to Skuodas (appr. 73 km/45 mi)

Welcome to Samogitia (Žemaitija) National Park for the unforgettable cycle ride around majestic Lake Plateliai which is one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Lithuania. In the afternoon cycle to Skuodas, the old Curonian land, famous for its still existent Sacred Places of Balts', altar stones and mounds. Arrival in Skuodas, guesthouse check-in. OVERNIGHT at guesthouse in Skuodas.

Day 5. Skuodas-Grobina-Liepaja (appr. 64 km/40 mi)

From Skuodas cross the border into Latvia and cycle through picturesque countryside towards the Baltic seaside. En route passing by Grobina famous for ruins of a medieval castle, built in 1253 by the Order of Livonian Knights, and viking-era graves of Scandinavians who disembarked on Baltic's Eastern shore. Arrival in Liepaja, Hotel check-in. OVERNIGHT at central 4* Liepaja Hotel.

Day 6. Liepaja-Vergale-Pavilosta (appr. 56 km/35 mi)

Explore the Old Town of Liepaja and its special district called Karosta, a former military settlement and Soviet Navy submarine base. Cycle on picturesque road to Pavilosta, which is a small fishing port with several, welcoming pubs on the shore. Arrival in Pavilosta, Guesthouse/hotel check-in. OVERNIGHT at guesthouse/Hotel in Pavilosta.

Day 7. Pavilosta-Jūrkalne-Kuldiga (appr. 64 km/40 mi)

Cycle to Jurkalne along a very picturesque coastline with quiet, unspoiled beaches and impressive, steep 20m high sand cliffs. Arrive in Kuldiga, a former capital of Kurzeme Duchy, now famous for the Old Town with charming atmosphere; Ventas Rumba, the widest waterfall in Europe, and Riežupe sand caves. Hotel check-in. OVERNIGHT at central 3* Kuldiga hotel.

Day 8. Kuldiga-Renda-Kandava (appr. 60 km/37 mi)

Cycle to Kandava along the Abava River. En route pass through Sabile village famous the most northern open-air vineyard in the world, registered in the Guinness Book of Records. The winemaking tradition in Sabile dates back to the 16th century. Arrive in Kandava, guesthouse check-in. OVERNIGHT at guesthouse in Kandava.

Day 9. Kandava-Tukums-Jurmala-Riga (appr. 78 km/48 mi, by train ~1 hour)

Cycle to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States. Jurmala is well known for its natural treasures: 32 km long white sand beach (possible to cycle on the beach), curative mud and mineral waters. En route you may stop in Tukums, the town of gardens and roses surrounded by many castles and manor houses. From Jurmala take a train to Riga or continue cycling on a separate cycle path along the railway to Riga, the capital of Latvia and medieval Hanseatic town (extra 20 km). Arrive in Riga, Hotel check-in. Collection of rental cycles (if any). OVERNIGHT at central 4* Riga hotel.

Day 10. Riga

Free time in Riga and departure home.