With several opportunities for easy-going cycling, taking in parks, and lounging on the beach, the Seaside Cycle Route on Lithuania’s coast is a great family option.
Lithuania’s Seaside Cycle Route provides 3 different options for family cycling trips in Lithuania. These 3 seaside trails all extend from the town of Klaipeda, the third largest city in the country, and branch off to either the town of Nida, Butinge or Rusne Island.
With 200 km (125 miles) total of biking routes and 3 large bodies of water – the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon, and the Nemunas River – this journey includes spectacular views of forests, sand dunes, and the sea, and will have you experiencing UNESCO World Heritage sites, museums, and some amazing beach culture.
Your cycling trip in Lithuania surrounded by water on the Curonian Spit
The trek to Nida starts with a brief ferry ride from the middle of Klaipeda out to the start of the Curonian Spit. Your journey takes you cycling across the entire 52 km length of the island. Curonian Spit National Park occupies the entire Spit and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll take in the beauty of the area’s sand dunes, which open up to the sweeping vistas of the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other.
Stop through the quaint fishing towns of Preila, Perualka, Juodkrante, and Nida, and perhaps visit some of the amazing sculptures, monuments, and wide open beaches along the way. One of the most popular stops is at the Hill of Witches, a series of sculptures portraying characters from both pagan traditions and Lithuanian folklore.
See the beaches going north to Butinge
The second option on your family cycling trip in Lithuania is to head up the coast to the Latvian border. The trip to the city of Butinge, which borders Latvia, is the shortest of the 3 cycle routes at 49 km. This journey is steeped in history and relaxation. You’ll start off by cycling through Seaside Regional Park in the former Soviet military site that today comprises the towns of Giruliai and Nemiresta. Along this journey you’ll see sculptures, beautifully designed bridges extending over rivers and ponds, and experience a couple of great sea museums.
The highlight of the Klaipeda to Butinge route is perhaps the city of Palanga, which you’ll reach about halfway through your journey. Palanga is the most popular summer resort in Lithuania and during the holiday months you can find beaches packed with easy-going families and other vacationers lounging on the shores, playing games, and taking in the sun. The trampolines that line the beach in certain areas her may surprise you, as you don’t see this on most beaches, hop on and bounce away!
Take in the lowland down to RusnÄ Island
Of the 3 routes on your family cycling trip in Lithuania, the longest in the Seaside Cycle Route is the journey to Rusne Island (115 km). This route has you and your family biking down mainly major roads and comes to a head at Nemunas Delta Regional Park, famous as the largest gathering place of water birds throughout the entire Baltic Sea region.
The whole of Rusne Island is contained by polders, which makes for a rather interesting sight, one that is unlike any other in the country. Because the area is in such an extreme lowland, years ago the residents were forced to build the polders to keep their island from constantly flooding.
Finding your route and setting off on a family cycling trip through Lithuania
This is really a great trip to discover the natural and cultural beauty of Lithuania from the seat of your bicycle. Try one of the 3 Seaside Cycle Routes or make a complete trip and attempt all 3!