Vilnius to the Coast Cycle
9 Days Starting in Vilnius and ending in Klaipeda
Visiting: Lithuania
Tour Overview
An immersive cycle journey tracing the history of Lithuania from the vibrant capital to the coast. Following low traffic roads and dedicated cycle paths, the trip will showcase the rich birdlife, diverse cultures, World Heritage sites and largely flat landscapes that make travelling in this region so different to anywhere else in Europe. Highlights abound as you cycle with time to experience the sights including Trakai and its 14th Century castle and the former capital of Kaunas. Enter the previously off-limits Curonian Spit with its 'Dead Dunes' and abundant birdlife and pedal past 16th Century castles, follow the Nemunas River and through pine forest host to the White Stork, Lithuania's national bird. Enjoy the challenge of crossing this fascinating country by pedal power.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Vilnius (Lithuania)
Arrival in Vilnius and make your own way to the hotel. We can assist with an arrival transfer from the airport if required, please ask for our rates.
Day 2 : Optional Guided Bike Tour Of Vilnius, Afternoon Cycle To Trakai (14+39Km /9+24Mi)
Your rental bike will be delivered to the hotel this morning.
Later, join a 2 hour guided bike tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. In the afternoon you'll cycle to Trakai, a former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania where you can visit the 14th century castle built on a small island in Lake Galve. Overnight in Trakai.
Day 3 : Cycle Around Lake Galve And To Elektrenai, Transfer To Kaunas (45 Or 60Km/28 Or 37.5Mi)
In the morning take an optional return bike trip around Lake Galve to see beautiful Užutrakis estates and view the picturesque Trakai Insular Castle (15 km/10 miles). Continue cycling on a scenic, rolling road through the land of lakes and hills. Finish up in Elektrenai where the most powerful thermal power station in Lithuania is located. Take a public bus equipped with bicycle racks (included) for an hour ride to Kaunas, the second largest city and former Lithuanian capital from 1919-1939. Overnight in Kaunas.
Day 4 : Cycle Along The Nemunas River Enroute To Panemune Castle (76Km/47Mi)
The morning is free to explore the Old Town of Kaunas, before you will cycle along the Nemunas River to Mikytai. Here you'll take a ferry (not included) across the river to Vilkija, then continue cycling along the river to the impressive Panemune Castle, which dates from 16th-17th century. En route you'll cross the Dubysa River, pass Veliuona mound hill, the grave of the Grand Duke Gediminas and Raudone Castle. Overnight in Panemune Castle (hotel).
Day 5 : Continue Along The River To Jurbarkas Then Smalininkai, Transfer To Silute (37Km/23Mi)
Continue cycling along the Nemunas River to Jurbarkas. From Jurbarkas you'll ride towards Smalininkai, which for many years was a border town between Lithuania and the Germanised Klaipeda Region. From there take a public bus equipped with bicycle racks to Šilute (included). Overnight in Šilute.
Day 6 : Ride To Vente Horn, Cross The Curonian Lagoon By Boat To Nida (33Km/20.5Mi)
In the morning you will cycle to Vente Horn, where you can visit the 19th century lighthouse and the Ornithological Station. Enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape, including a glimpse of the Curonian Spit's sand dunes washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. Cross the Curonian Lagoon by boat to Nida, a former fishermen's village and now the largest town on the Curonian Spit. it is one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Overnight in Nida.
Day 7 : Free Day To Explore Nida
Enjoy a free day to explore Nida, which is a former old fishermen’s village on the Curonian Spit washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. Today Nida is the largest settlement in the Neringa region. Cycle or walk along some impressive sand dunes and visit the most popular places of interest – the Fisherman’s House, the summer house of famous German writer Thomas Mann and the Amber Gallery. Overnight Nida.
Day 8 : Cycle The Curonian Spit To Klaipeda (58Km/36.3Mi)
This morning, cycle on an asphalt bike path through woods along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route you can stop for a walk on a wooden path to the Dead Dunes, where you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. With luck you can watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, and explore the Hill of Witches, which has one hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path in Juodkrante village. Arrive in Smiltyne-Klaipeda, take a ferry to the Old Town (not included) and cycle to your hotel where our representative will meet you for the bike return this afternoon. Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 9 : Trip Concludes
The trip concludes after breakfast. Enjoy a stroll through this fascinating town before you depart. We can assist with a transfer to Palanga airport, the international ferry terminal or bus/train station for your departure, or with extra nights accommodation if you'd like to stay longer - please ask for our rates.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
8 nights in 3-4 star hotels -
8 breakfasts
-
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, 1 night guesthouse in twin room with private facilities
-
Hybrid bike rental with helmet, waterproof handlebar bag with a map/smart phone holder, one tachometer per two bikes, waterproof panniers. (E-bike available - supplement applies)
-
Information pack with route notes and map (one set per room), GPS tracks provided
-
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece 20kg and 1 small daypack, supplement applies for excess
-
2 hour guided bike tour of Vilnius on Day 2
-
Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon
-
Bus tickets Elektrenai to Kaunas & Smalininkai to Šilute (or minibus transfers if a larger group)
-
Hotel taxes
-
Emergency hotline
What's Not Included
-
Lunches, dinners and drinks
-
Items of a personal nature - eg. phone calls, laundry
-
Entrance Fees
-
Lunches, dinners and drinks. A dinner package is available for 6 nights - supplement applies
-
Tips
-
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
-
Excess luggage - supplement applies.
Accommodation
8 nights in 3-4 star hotels
During the trip you will be accommodated in 3-4 star hotels specially chosen for their location and service. One night will be in a castle while others will be in comfortable city hotels which are convenient to the local attractions.
Grading
MODERATE – GRADE 3
The cycling is moderate grade with daily cycles of around 33 to 76km / 20 to 47.5mi. The route is mostly flat and the cycling is mainly on roads with little traffic and cycle paths - only very short distances are cycled on roads with more traffic. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of cycling fitness to participate fully in this adventure. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Monday
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 15, 2024Sunday - Monday
Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 12, 2024Sunday - Monday
Aug 25, 2024 - Sep 02, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.