Country Holidays

Self-drive tours


Walking Nature Trails in Latvia and Estonia

(7 days)

Tour begins in the Latvian capital Riga, which is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, and it ends in the Medieval town of Tallinn. Along the way you will enjoy lovely landscapes, walk 15 exciting nature trails (about 40 km on foot in total). The trails crosses marshlands, meadows and forests, goes along the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Highlights:
  •  Riga Old Town and Art Nouvea district
  •  Rare coastal meadows at Ainazi
  •  Estonian islands – Saaremaa and Hiumaa with distinctive nature, medieval churches and windmills
  •  Mighty Kuressaare Bishop's Castle
  •  Charming medieval Old Town of Tallinn
  •  Unspoiled nature and sandy beaches
General information:
  • Route: Riga – Pärnu – Saaremaa – Hiiumaa – Haapsalu - Tallinn
  • Individual
  • Hired car
  • Length of the route: ~ 1270 km
  • 7 days (including Riga and Tallinn)
  • Recommended time: April - November
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1st day / Arrival in Rīga
Arrival in Riga / Pick up the hired car at the airport.
Pick up your  info pack with the map and detailed itinerary from the hotel' s reception.
Free time in Riga.

Overnight in Riga.
2nd day /  Rīga - Salacgrīva - Pärnu surroundings (190 km, 100% tarmac)
Breakfast.



Sightseeing and walking trails (totally  about 10 km walking) en route:
- Nature trail over the dunes and through the pine forest at Saulkrasti (1 hour).
- Forest hiking trail of the Baron von Munchhausen at Dunte (3h).
- Walking trail through  the very rare coastal meadows at Ainazi – bird watching possibilities in spring and fall (1 h).
- Luitemaa walking trail near Parnu goes along the sea and through marsh. There are several observation towers and bird watching possibilities (2h).

Overnight in the surroundings of Parnu.


3rd day / Pärnu - Muhu - Kuressaare - Sõrve - Kuressaare  (~275 km, 100% tarmac)
Breakfast.
Sightseeing in Parnu, historic spa resort of Estonia.
Ferry from Virtsu to  Kuivastu at Muhu island (0,5 hours).
Sightseeing and walking trails (totally up to 10 km hiking) en route:
- The ethnographic fishermen’s’ village Koguva at Muhu island (1,5 hours).
- Koigi walking trail through marsh and forest at the Saaremaa island (2 hours).
- The Sõrve horn in the western part of the Saaremaa island. Its former military basis for Soviet army (1,5 hours).

Overnight in Kuressaare.

4th day / Kuressaare - Kärdla (~150 km, 80% tarmac, 20% gravel road)
Breakfast.
Sightseeing at Kuressaare. Attractions include impressive medieval castle (Ticket: 30 EEK), town's centre with its art galleries, little shops, cafes and restaurants.
Drive: Kuressaare – Kärdla
Ferry from Triigi (Saaremaa island) to Sõru (Hiiumaa island) (1,5 hours).

Sightseeing and walking trails (totally about 7 km walking) en route:
Saaremaa island
- Viidumäe Nature restricted area with a forest trail and observation tower at the seaside (1 hour).
- Panga cliff is about 22 m high dolomite cliff at the coast (1 hour).
Hiiumaa island
- Ojarku boardwalk trail on the Kasari island through overgrown coastal area with an observation tower near Käina bay (bird watching available) (1 hour).
- Sääre nature trail on the Kasari island which is a stripe of land covered with junipers (bird watching available) (1,5 hour).

Overnight in Kärdla. 

5th day / Kärdla - Haapsalu - Matsalu National Park - Haapsalu (140 km, 95% tarmac, 5% gravel road).
Breakfast.
Ferry from Heltermaa to Rohuküla (~2 hours)
Sightseeing and walking trails (totally about 5 km walking) en route:
- Walking trail at Matsalu National park  boardwalk through the coastal reed fields (3 h).
- Sightseeing in Haapsalu.
Overnight at the hotel at Haapsalu.

6th day / Haapsalu - Paldiski - Tallinn (180 km, 98% tarmac, 2% gravel road).
Breakfast.
Sightseeing and walking trails (totally about  8 km walking) en route:
- Walking trail at the Paldiski peninsula – the trail starts at the fortification which was build by the Peter 1st and leads along the steep Baltic sea banks, sightseeing of the former military basis of the Soviet military (2-3 hours)
- Keila Nature Park – walking trail through the forest to  Keila waterfall (1-2 hours).
In the evening free time in Tallinn.

Overnight in Tallinn.

7th day / Tallinn
Breakfast.
Return the car at Tallinn Airport. Departure from Tallinn.
Or return to Riga and leave the car at Riga Airport.
Rate per person in a double or TWIN room: from 285.00 EUR*
*Minimum number of persons - 2.
*A price of the tour can change in case the planned guest houses/hotels are fully booked and we have to choose other accommodation sites.
*Prices may change due to changes in national tax legislation or other independent reasons.


Services included in the package price:
  • 6 overnights with breakfast at the hotels and guest houses (DBL or TWIN, en suite)
  • Maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Extra costs not included in the package price:
  • Hired car
  • Single supplement per person (6 nights): 105.00 EUR
  • Private transfer Rīga airport – hotel or hotel – airport: EUR 15.00 (1-3 persons/ one way) or EUR 30.00 (4-7 persons/ one way)
  • Private transfer Tallinn airport – hotel or hotel – airport: EUR 18.00 (1-3 persons/ one way) or EUR 25.00 (4-7 persons/ one way)
  • Additional night in Tallinn: from 76.00 EUR (DBL/ night)
  • Additional night in Riga: from 65.00 EUR (DBL/ night)
  • Tickets and entrances to the attractions and sites
  • Extra meals or lunch boxes can be arranged
Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv