Page 359 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES 357

Among the Lithuanian
companies offering walking
trips, the Nemunas Tour is one
of the most popular.

Cycling
The relatively flat terrain and
breathtaking scenery of the Baltic
States makes cycling a pleasant
way to get around. However,
mountain bikers will find little to
challenge their skills. It is not all
smooth riding, though, as some
roads are in poor condition. A
Cyclists on a winding path in Gauja National Park, Latvia popular international route is the
EuroVelo route 10, which runs
coast and crosses the Curonian Latvia’s Gauja National Park is along the north of Estonia
Spit, and a particularly good good for walking, particularly through Tallinn, across to the
spot is the Vente Horn on the along the well-marked Līgatne islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa
tip of the Nemunas Delta Nature Trail (see p193). There are via ferry, on to Rīga and then
National Park (see p287). The also numerous short trails further south to Klaipėda.
biggest draws are the migra- in the Tērvete Nature Park Bicycle rental is easy in
tions in spring and autumn, (see p171) and visitors Estonia and Latvia, while
mainly between September and looking for hills might in Lithuania there are hire
early October. Early spring is a head for the Latgale outlets in the larger towns
good time to observe seabirds, Uplands (see p202). Tour and cities. A good point
owls, woodpeckers and grouse, companies, such as Eži, of contact for all three
while the largest number of organize walking trips in countries is BaltiCCycle, a
species can be spotted during Valmiera (see p194). non-profit organization
the breeding season between Lithuania has almost 300 which provides details of
late May and early June. hiking trails, of which organized tours, bicycle
The Lithuanian Society of around 170 are in rental and self-guided
Ornithologists also arranges regional or national A cycle sign at cycling. It is also
bird-watching tours. parks. Dzūkija National Vaide, Latvia possible to hire a bike
Park (see p260) is a in one Baltic country
favourite and some of its paths and return it in another.
Hiking and Trekking
and facilities have been In Estonia, popular areas for
Despite their lack of hilly terrain, especially adapted for disabled cycling include Lahemaa
the Baltic States attract walkers visitors. Short, well-signposted National Park and the islands
with their extensive forests, walks include the 5-km (3-mile) of Muhu (see p95), Saaremaa
attractive rivers, lakes and rural long Šeirė Nature Trail and the and Hiiumaa. City Bike is a
calm. The relatively high chance route through the Čepkelių bog notable organization that
of spotting wild life such as roe from the park’s headquarters. provides cycling tours and
deer, wild boar, moose and rental services in Estonia.
wolves also draws a number of Easy rides in Latvia include
walkers here. Each country the route from Rīga to Jūrmala
has a good selection of well- (see pp174–5), while the best
marked trails with campsites opportunity for mountain
and guesthouses along the biking is in the Gauja Valley
way, and local tourist offices near Sigulda (see p192). There
can suggest routes or arrange are marked biking routes
guides for visitors. around Kuldīga (see p183) and
In Estonia, Lahemaa National from Cēsis (see p192–3) to
Park (see pp110–11) has trails Valmiera; Eži arranges trips in
of varying lengths covering a the latter area.
diverse terrain. There are also The Lithuanian section of the
pleasant routes surrounding Baltic Coast route includes an
Tartu (see pp118–19) and on the attractive stretch between
islands of Saaremaa (see pp96–7) Palanga (see p286) and Klaipėda
and Hiiumaa (see pp94–5). (see pp284–5). There is also a
A more unusual activity is marked route along the coast
bog-walking in Soomaa The rolling hills of Dzukija National Park, of the Curonian Lagoon to
National Park (see pp104–5). Lithuania Nemunas Delta National Park.