Baltic Bike Tours

Cycling along the Lithuanian Seaside. Curonian Spit National Park, Palanga Resort & Nemunas River Delta

 


TOUR INFORMATION

Tour distances: cycling ~253 km/~158 mi., minibus ~40 km/25 mi., boat/ferry ~14 km/9 mi. or 1.5 hour

Cycling grade: We rate this trip Easygoing to Moderate. You will cycle on low traffic roads (a few streches on gravel/sandy road) and separate cycle paths (half of the tour), including the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. The terrain is dead flat most of the tour, except a few hills on the Curonian Spit.

Arrival & departure information:

Ferry terminal: KLAIPĖDA (DFDS ferries from Kiel, Germany & Karlshamn, Sweden; TT-Line ferries from Travemunde/Rostock, Germany & Trelleborg, Sweden)

Airport: KLAIPĖDA/ PALANGA (35 km/22 mi. away from Klaipėda) with regular flights from Copenhagen (Denmark/SAS), Riga (Latvia/AIR BALTIC), London Luton (Great Britain/WIZZAIR) & London Stanstead (Great Britain/RYANAIR). Due to good connecting flights (SAS, AirBaltic) it is easy to reach Palanga airport from many cities in Europe via Copenhagen and Riga.

Parking: car parking is available at the arrival hotel or in guarded car parking lot nearby the hotel for extra charge.

8 days self-guided circular cycling tour from Klaipėda (Code SG1)

The Baltic Sea coast in Lithuania with 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 with storks in the Nemunas River Delta region. This tour partly covers the Seaside Cycle Route which is still only officially signposted cycle route in Lithuania. 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. There’s a wide range of cafes & restaurants & many annual festivals, e.g. jazz, folklore. You can choose to spend extra nights here either at the beginning or end of the tour.

During the tour you will 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, by cycle or canoe its unique surroundings; its geology, birdlife, the influence of the Lagoon etc.

ITINERARY

1. Day: ARRIVE IN KLAIPĖDA

Arrive in Klaipėda. Individual transfer to the hotel (offered as optional extras). Check into your hotel - a renovated mill located right on the waterfront and in the heart of the Old Town.
Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. A): NATIONAL**** or similar.
Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. B): OLD MILL HOTEL*** or similar.

2. Day: ALONG THE SEASIDE CYCLE ROUTE TO PALANGA RESORT, ~58 km/36 mi.

Your local host, BALTIC BIKE TRAVEL, will meet you in the hotel at 9am, organise your bicycles (offered as optional extras) and run through your itinerary. Today you are off to cycle to the resort town of Palanga, an idyllic route that leads north through the Giruliai Forest and the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military polygon area. En route you will pass Plazė Lake and the Dutchman's Cap – a coastal cliff and have many opportunities to detour to the seashore should 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 slightly different route. Optional dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. A): NATIONAL**** or similar.
Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. B): OLD MILL HOTEL*** or similar

3. Day: CYCLING WITH STORKS ON COUNTRY ROADS TO Šilutė, ~ 47 km/29 mi., minibus ~40 km/25 mi.

Start the day with a short transfer to the small town of Veiviržėnai where start your cycling ride on picturesque countryside roads through Pamarys meadows to Šilutė, once a notable fish market with the old market square and harbour and plenty of cafes and restaurants. All day cycle through the region having one of the largest population of storks in Europe; thus the White Stork truly deserves its place as Lithuanian's national bird. En route stop in Švėkšna village to explore the estate with its beautiful park and impressive neo-gothic church of St.Jacob the Apostle. Optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Šilutė: GILIJA HOTEL or similar.

4. Day: CIRCULAR RIDE FROM ŠILUTĖ - RUSNĖ Island & the NEMUNAS River Delta, ~ 47 km/29 mi.

This morning you ride on the tiny lanes and bridlepaths to Lithuania's only island - Rusnė Island on the Russian border and 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. When you stand on the bank of the Nemunas River in Rusnė you see the Russian oblast of Kaliningrad just 100 metres across the river. En route you can explore Rusnė village with a new monument to famous Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and his intimate friend Hermann Kallenbach. Cycle around the island and explore its wildlife and beautiful views from birdwatching towers and the 19th C lighthouse in Uostadvaris Harbour. Optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Šilutė: GILIJA HOTEL or similar.

5. Day: ŠILUTĖ TO NIDA & CROSSING THE CURONIAN LAGOON, cycling ~33 km/21 mi., by boat ~14 km/9mi.

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 sand dunes and then sit back as you cross the lagoon by ferry (1.5-2 hrs) to arrive in Nida, the largest settlement on the Curonian Spit. Your hotel lies at the heart of this former fishing village. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Nida: NERIJA*** or similar

6. Day: FREE DAY IN NIDA, ~10 km/6 mi.

Nida is one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania blessed with the Curonian Lagoon one side and the fine sandy beaches of the Baltic coast on the other. Famous for its amber - trawled from the sea bed and its impressive sand dunes, there is plenty to do here. Visit the Fisherman's House, the Amber Gallery and the summer home of the famous writer Thomas Mann; 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. Optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Nida: NERIJA*** or similar

7. Day: NIDA TO KLAIPĖDA along sand dunes of the Curonian Spit, ~ 58 km/36 mi.

Pedal through the timeless landscape of the spit today on the peaceful seaside bike path leading to Klaipėda. Often in 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 also a forming fishing village with the waters of the lagoon 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. Otional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. A): NATIONAL**** or similar.
Overnight in Klaipėda (cat. B): OLD MILL HOTEL*** or similar

8. Day: DEPART KLAIPĖDA

Enjoy a final stroll through this fascinating town before we transfer you to Palanga airport or international ferry terminal or bus/train station for your departure (offered as optional extras). You may also stay extra nights (offered as optional extras) and enjoy Klaipėda longer.

2023 TOUR DATES (Guaranteed Departures!)*

Tour code Departures on Saturday Departures on Sunday**
Low Season (01 - 31.05 & 28.08 - 30.09.2023)
SG1-01
SG1-02
20.05 - 27.05.2023
27.05 - 03.06.2023
21.05 - 28.05.2023
28.05 - 04.06.2023
Middle Season (01 - 26.06.2023)
SG1-03
SG1-04
SG1-05
SG1-06
03.06 – 10.06.2023
10.06 – 17.06.2023
17.06 – 24.06.2023
24.06 – 01.07.2023
04.06 – 11.06.2023
11.06 – 18.06.2023
18.06 – 25.06.2023
25.06 – 02.07.2023
High Season (27.06 - 27.08.2023)

SG1-07
SG1-08
SG1-09
SG1-11
SG1-12
SG1-13
SG1-14
SG1-15

01.07 – 08.07.2023
08.07 – 15.07.2023
15.07 – 22.07.2023
29.07 – 05.06.2023
05.08 – 12.08.2023
12.08 – 19.08.2023
19.08 – 26.08.2023
26.08 – 02.09.2023

02.07 – 09.07.2023
09.07 – 16.07.2023
16.07 – 23.07.2023
30.07 – 06.06.2023
06.08 – 13.08.2023
13.08 – 20.08.2023
20.08 – 27.08.2023
27.08 – 03.09.2023

Tour code Departures on Wednesday Departures on Thursday**
Low Season (01 - 31.05 & 28.08 - 30.09.2023)

SG1-16
SG1-30

24.05 – 31.05.2023
30.08 – 06.09.2023
25.05 – 01.06.2023
31.08 – 07.09.2023
Middle Season (01 - 26.06.2023)

SG1-17
SG1-18
SG1-19
SG1-20

31.05 – 07.06.2023
07.06 – 14.06.2023
14.06 – 21.06.2023
21.06 – 28.06.2023

01.06 – 08.06.2023
08.06 – 15.06.2023
15.06 – 22.06.2023
22.06 – 29.06.2023
High Season (27.06 - 27.08.2023)

SG1-21
SG1-22
SG1-23
SG1-24
SG1-25
SG1-28
SG1-29

28.06 – 05.07.2023
05.07 – 12.07.2023
12.07 – 19.07.2023
19.07 – 26.07.2023
26.07 – 02.08.2023
16.08 – 23.08.2023
23.08 - 30.08.2023

29.06 – 06.07.2023
06.07 – 13.07.2023
13.07 – 20.07.2023
20.07 – 27.07.2023
27.07 – 03.08.2023
17.08 – 24.08.2023
24.08 – 31.08.2023

* Any other date (May-September) possible on request with min. 4 people per group!
**  Tour program of Day 2 is shifted to the end of the tour with departures on Sunday and Thursday!


TOUR PRICE
per person

Cat. A Cat. B
Season 1 (Low): 01-31.05 & 28.08 - 30.09.2023
Double/Twin room 665 EUR 595 EUR
Single room 925 EUR 855 EUR
Season 2 (Middle): 01-26.06.2023
Double/Twin room 615 EUR 545 EUR
Single room 905 EUR 835 EUR
Season 3 (High): 27.06 - 27.08.2023
Double/Twin room 665 EUR 595 EUR
Single room 985 EUR 915 EUR

ACCOMMODATION:

Cat. A: 4**** Hotel in Klaipėda & 3*** Hotels in Klaipeda and Silute; Cat. B: 3*** Hotels in all places

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights stay in hotels (rooms with WC/shower)
  • 7 x buffet breakfast
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
  • Minibus transfer Klaipėda - Veiviržėnai
  • Boat trip across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida
  • Individual information package (one per room): tour program with route description, maps and city guides
  • GPS Tracks
  • 24 hours service hotline

ACCOMMODATION

- 3-4* hotels
- Rooms with shower/WC or bath/WC

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Rent of trekking bike (KTM,VDV) (optionally 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub gears & back-pedal break or 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears & free-wheel) with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) - 59 EUR (11 EUR for extra day)
  • Rent of trekking bike (KTM,VDV) (optionally 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub gears & back-pedal break or 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears & free-wheel) with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) +handlebar bag with map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) + tachometer - 69 EUR (12 EUR for extra day)
  • Rent of of E-bike/Pedelec with Bosch driving system (Kalkhoff, VDV) equipped with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) - 149 EUR (25 EUR for extra day)
  • Rent of of E-bike/Pedelec with Bosch driving system (Kalkhoff, VDV) equipped with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) + handlebar bag with map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) – 159 EUR per person (27 EUR for extra day)
  • Rental of cyclecross bike (Kona Jake) equipped with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) – 109 EUR per person, 18 EUR for extra day
  • Rental of cyclecross bike (Kona Jake) equipped with a waterproof back pannier (20 litres) + handlebar bag with map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) + tachometer – 119 EUR per person, 19 EUR for extra day
  • Bicycle tachometer rental (min. 4 functions) - 10 EUR
  • Rental of waterproof handlebar bag with map/smartphone holder (Ortlieb) – 15 EUR
  • Rental of helmet (please send your head size in centimetres or helmet size: S, M, L, XL, XXL) - 5 EUR per person
  • Rental of bicycle trailer (Winther Dolphin) for children from 6 months old – 89 EUR per person
  • Rental of trailer-bike (tagalong) for children of 5-10 years old – 49 EUR per person
  • Rental of child seat (up to 22 kg) with child helmet – 19 EUR per bicycle
  • Half board (7 x 3-course dinners)  – 155 EUR per person in 3* hotels (Cat. B) or 169 EUR per person in case of 3 overnights in Klaipėda are booked at 4* hotel (Cat. A)
  • Pre/post-tour accommodation with breakfast in Klaipėda 3* (Cat. B) / 4* (Cat. A)
    Double/twin room - 89 EUR / 99 EUR
    Single room - 79 EUR / 89 EUR
  • Transfer by car from/to: (price for one way for up to 3 people):
    Palanga airport -  55 EUR
    Klaipeda Central Ferry Terminal (ferries from Germany & Sweden) - 33 EUR
  • Transfer by minivan from/to: (price for one way for up to 7 people):
    Palanga airport -  88 EUR
    Klaipeda Central Ferry Terminal (ferries from Germany & Sweden) - 55 EUR

NOTES

  • 15 % discount for people from 3 yrs. old (max 1 person per room) for extra bed in double/twin room (3* hotels / 4* hotels in Klaipėda)
    – 463 EUR / 523 EUR (SG1 03-06 & 17-20)
    – 506 EUR / 565 EUR (SG1 01-02, 07-09, 12-16, 21-25 & 27-30)
  • Children under 3 yrs. old – free of charge in parents room without extra bed
  • Minimum group size:
    2 people (fixed departures on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays or Thursdays)
    4 people (departures on any other date May-September on request)
  • For more information about our rental bikes and equipment click here
. 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 C lighthouse in Uostadvaris Harbour.

Your booking request is valid only with our written confirmation.

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SG1
Top! 2023 Cycling along the Lithuanian Seaside (8-day self-guided tour from/to Klaipėda)
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