Baltic Coastal Hiking
Discover the seaside
The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is part of the European long-distance path E9. The E9 route runs from Cape St. Vincent in Portugal to Narva-Jõesuu in Estonia where the Narva River flows into the Gulf of Finland.
The hiking route starts at the Lithuanian-Latvian border in the village of Nida in Latvia and finishes at the Port of Tallinn in Estonia.
Length: ~1200 km, composed of:
- 580 km in Latvia
- 620 km in Estonia
The Route: Nida – Liepāja – Ventspils – Cape Kolka – Jūrmala – Rīga – Saulkrasti – Ainaži – Ikla – Pärnu – Virtsu – Lihula – Haapsalu – Paldiski – Tallinn.
Highest points: Rannamõisa cliff (Rannamõisa pank) located 35 m a. s. l., the Pakri Lighthouse viewing platform together with the height of Pakri cliff: around 70 m a. s. l., situated in Estonia.
Time required to complete the route: around 60 days. Experienced walkers can cover it in a shorter period of time.
What to see: > 500 natural, historic and cultural objects.
The Estonian islands situated close to the Baltic Coastal Hiking route: Kihnu, Saaremaa, Muhu, Hiiumaa, Vormsi, Osmussaar.
Join Baltic Coastal Hiking whenever you want, take a break whenever you like and return when you feel it is the right time for hiking! More information www.coastalhiking.eu.
Real stories from hikers on the Baltic Coastal Hiking Rout can be found on our Travel Blog.
Trail Markings
Coastal Nature
In Latvia, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route mainly goes along sandy beaches, in some places, rocky beaches, and for short stretches, through coastal meadows. There are well-trodden trails and small roads in the seaside forests. In some areas, the sand may be soft, which makes walking difficult.
In Estonia, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route goes along the very seashore for around 100 km, mainly between Haapsalu and Tallinn. In other places, crossing the coastline becomes difficult as it is shaped by numerous capes, peninsulas, wetlands with reeds, floodplains, lagoons and shallow coves, which is why the remaining distance of around 500 km has to be covered via seaside trails, roads and along motor roads.
In cities and populated areas, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route goes along pedestrian sidewalks.
The coastal terrain is mostly level and most of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is close to sea level.
In Latvia, bluffs can be found from Strante to Ošvalki village and near Staldzene and along the rocky seacoast in Vidzeme, while cliffs can be seen in Harju County situated near Tallinn in Estonia.
The itinerary can be completed in all four seasons. Whichever season is chosen for setting off, there will be both advantages and disadvantages:
Our coastal hiking tours
Latvia
Fishermen’s spirit, fine sand beach and reed jungle
This hike brings you to a romantic seaside with fine sand and relaxing pine tree forests. The old fishermen’s villages at the Riga Bay area are hidden gems that lie behind the dunes and are waiting for you to be discovered. The second part of the hike brings you through almost untouched forests to the Lake Kaņieris.
What is waiting for you on this hike? Coastal villages Ragaciems, Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems with fishermen’s houses and boats on the shore, a meditative walk through the forest, spectacular view from the observation tower, Lake Kaņieris surrounded by reeds, birds and fish. And… a lot of fresh air!
Latvia
HIKE ALONG THREE LAKES AND THE SEA
This hike brings you along Garezeri lakes and the Baltic Sea. Garezeri translates as Long Lakes, on this hike you will understand why. Garezeri consists of three lakes – the Northern Garezers, the Middle Garezers and the Southern Garezers, all of them surrounded by beautiful pinetree woods. Second part of the hike goes along the beach which offers very fine sand and a scenery of natural and unbuilt coastline.
What is waiting for you on this hike? Meditative and relaxing experience in nature, fresh pinetree air rich in phytoncides and with healing properties, beautiful scenery of curvy lakes, very diverse flora, power and peace of the sea, white sandy beach and hopefully – a lot of adventures! Oh, and let’s not forget – approximately 14 km and five hours of fresh Latvian air!
Coastal hiking trail
Latvia
The rocky beach of Vidzeme
This section of the seacoast of Vidzeme is of outstanding scenic beauty with a lot of rocky capes and boulders in the sea alternating with small, sandy coves where the small streams and rivulets, which dry out in summer, flow into. Occasionally, the beach is completely covered with the gray backs of stones. In Zvejniekciems you need to make a detour around the estuary of the Aģe River and the Skulte port. In some places, small patches of reeds appear, while near Tūja you will see the first sandstone outcrops. Some part of the route can be covered via the beach or via a trail meandering through the dune forest with old pines. At the end of the route, you can see the unique lamprey fishing method – Svētupes nēģu tacis.
Latvia
The greate wave sea
The Baltic Sea littoral on the West coast of Kurzeme is called the Great Wave Sea. The seacoast is mainly sandy. While the Great Wave Sea section is the least populated coastal area in Latvia, at the same time, the third biggest city in Latvia, Liepāja, is also located there. Steep bluffs rise before your eyes on the seacoast between Pāvilosta and Sārnate. The villages are quiet and sparsely populated. At the beginning of the route, you can see the Soviet military heritage in Liepāja Karosta Prison, taste smoked local fish in Pāvilosta and then enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the entire route to the seacoast from Užava lighthouse. The route closes in the port city of Ventspils, where there are various entertainment and sightseeing places, especially for families with children.
Latvia
A hiking route across the diverse coastal landscapes of latvia
This section of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is a comparatively short hike across a beautiful sandy beach, the coastal side of which is bounded by brightly colored pine forests with spectacular dunes and dams of dunes. To get from the beach to Carnikava, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route will take you through a forest via a promenade. Then it takes a stroll around the Old Gauja River via a levee and reaches the pedestrian bridge over the Gauja River. Both as you start and end the hike, it is nice to sit in one of the pubs and summer cafés located on Vecāķi beach and in Carnikava.
Latvia
Slītere National Park
The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route starts at the center of Mazirbe village where you can see the Livonian National House. Continuing through small forest and country roads past the former Mazirbe Naval school, it winds through small coastal Livonian villages: Košrags, Pitrags and then Saunags. The Livonian coast is the only place where you can get to know the cultural history heritage of one of the smallest peoples in the world, the Livonians. In this section, the indicating signs are in both the Latvian and Livonian language. At the end of route you will see Cape Kolka, the point where the Great Wave Sea meets the Little Wave Sea. It is one of the most popular bird-watching sites on the Baltic seacoast.
Latvia
Engure Nature park
Route meanders between a rocky seacoast richly overgrown with reeds and other grasses on one side and wooded seaside dunes on the other side. In some places, the beach is paved with small round stones, in other places you can see grey dunes with a rich variety of plants. Near Bērzciems village, there are large coastal meadows with shoals appearing far away in the sea that are suited for birdwatching. During this route, it is possible to visit the fishermen’s homestead “Dieniņas”, where you can buy local smoked fish. Also it is worth to see Engure port and Engure Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Latvia
Coastal Nature park
This section of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is a comparatively short hike across a beautiful sandy beach, the coastal side of which is bounded by brightly colored pine forests with spectacular dunes and dams of dunes. To get from the beach to Carnikava, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route will take you through a forest via a promenade. Then it takes a stroll around the Old Gauja River via a levee and reaches the pedestrian bridge over the Gauja River. Both as you start and end the hike, it is nice to sit in one of the pubs and summer cafés located on Vecāķi beach and in Carnikava.
Estonia
Along Pärnu bay
This section of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is suitable to hardy hikers who like to travel across uninhabited places. In many places, reeds, floodplains with pastures and wetlands stretch across the Estonian seacoast, which is why the itinerary often leads you along forest and country roads. In the second half of summer you can pick the mushrooms and berries in the coastal forests. Pärnu is a popular resort city with many cafés, live music, SPAs, hotels and a beautiful Old Town.
Estonia
Walk the Kihnu island, Estonia
Kihnu Island is the largest island in the Gulf of Rīga and the seventh largest island in Estonia. Its total area is 16.9 km², the island is 7 km long and up to 3.3 km wide. The former seal hunter and fishermen’s island, with around 600 inhabitants, is currently eager to maintain its identity in spite of everything. The unique characteristics of the Kihnu cultural space, like the lifestyle of the community, the diverse cultural traditions, the Kihnu language, music, national costumes and nature, are included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. A coastal route that goes through four villages – Sääre, Linaküla, Rootsiküla and Lemsi – will help you to discover the cultural and natural values of Kihnu Island. You can visit Kihnu Museum all year round and get insight into the history of the island, including the life of the famous local captain, Kihnu Jõnn. It is also worth seeing Kihnu Church and the cemetery located across from the museum. In the summer, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the island, the surrounding sandbanks and the sea from the lighthouse. The commemorative stone by the former house of Kihnu Jõnn introduces you to the island’s legendary “wild captain”.
Estonia
Bird watching in Matsalu National park
One of the most beautiful sections of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route in Matsalu National Park, which leads through the agricultural lands and coastal meadows located near Matsalu Bay, where thousands of migrating cranes and geese gather in autumn. There are excellent birdwatching sites with towers near Haeska village (coastal meadows, shallow coves, small islets, cattle pastures) and at Cape Puise (coastal meadows with pastures, shoals). The most panoramic views of the sea and strings of islands can be seen in the surroundings of Põgari-Sassi and Puise nina.
Estonia
Bays and cape horns in the Northwestern part of Estonia
The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route goes through Nõva Nature reserve where you will have exceptional views of the white and grey dunes. The beaches are popular for fishing and kite-surfing. In Dirhami you can spend some time in a cafe and from its terrace you will have a beautiful view of the sea and the port. Along the way you can also see ancient Swedish hamlets with a different cultural environment and landscape, as well as shallow lakes that have been separated from the sea.
Estonia
Around Pakri Peninsula
The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route leads around the Pakri Peninsula, from whose rocky shores you will discover the most beautiful coastal landscapes in northwest Estonia. It goes through the centre of Paldiski and, after having reached the fortress bastions of Peter I, it turns towards the Pakri Lighthouse going across the upper part of the impressive Pakri Cliffs. Further on up to Kersalu, there are both ups in the shape of rocks and downs where the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route meanders along a sandy and rocky seacoast and a beautiful pine forest.
Estonia
The Legendary Suurupi Peninsula
This tour is suitable only for experienced hikers. The itinerary circles the Suurupi Peninsula where the dense forests conceal the military heritage of different eras. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route meanders through overgrown and rocky seacoasts, birch groves, along former pioneer camps and sand-stone cliffs protecting coves with sharp capes. At the end of the itinerary, one of the most astounding outcrops of the Estonian littoral rises before your eyes – the Rannamõisa Cliffs, which gives views of Kakumäe Bay and Peninsula and the towers of Tallinn’s Old Town.
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