A complete guide to cycling in Estonia

Bike routes in Tartu & South Estonia

Tartu has installed an official bike rental system called Tartu Smart Bike with about 750 bicycles available at 100 rental stations. You can buy a daily, weekly, or annual ticket, and the electric bikes are connected to the entire public transit system.

Most of Estonia is ideal for biking, but South Estonia stands out for its distinct landscapes: gentle hills and valleys, lakes, and lush forests. This area offers a wonderfully comprehensive overview of the Estonian landscape, and you may have the roads nearly all to yourself.

• The Selgise cycling trail runs for about 30 kilometers and goes through the forest on a well-developed route. It is clearly signposted, and you'll find a cabin and fire pit along the way.
• The Tüki cycling trail follows the course of the Ilmatsalu River across meadows and fields, past fish ponds and through forest clearings. It also has various campfire spots, and you can go for a swim at the quarry pond. It's only 7 kilometers long and close to the city. (Tip: Rent a Tartu Smart Bike and ride out to the trailhead and keep going!)
• The 89 kilometer route of the Tartu Bicycle Marathon runs between Otepää's Tehvandi Sports Center and the Tartu County Recreational Sports Center, which also rents bikes by the hour or by the day.

Biking on Hiiumaa

Hiiumaa is Estonia's unofficial cycling island. With hardly any larger towns and lots of wilderness, you can relax and breathe in the fresh air. The entire island is accessible by bike, and there are loads of great routes with rest stops and sightseeing spots:

• Bike route on the Tahkuna Peninsula: This is a decent day trip. Easy paths alternate with quiet country roads. Sightseeing highlights along the route include the Military Museum and Tahkuna Lighthouse.
• Heltermaa-Suuremõisa-Hellamaa-Kärdla: Take a whole day for this ride. The Suuremõisa manor house, with its inviting park, deserves at least an hour's attention. Other stops, such as the port of Suursadam, will give you some insight into the history of Hiiumaa.
• Luidja-Kõrgessaare-Kärdla: At 29 kilometers, the route from Luidja to Kärdla is quite a bit shorter. It's still good to take your time because Luidja Beach, the route's starting point, is lovely. Orchid lovers will want to linger at the Kõrgessaare orchids' study bed, especially around Midsummer when many of the orchids are in bloom.
• Kaina-Kassari: In the southern part of Hiiumaa, there is a 30-km-long route between Käina and Kassari. Climb the observation tower at Orjaku to watch for birds and check out the island's fascinating biodiversity. Plus, the harbor in town has a cafe where you can stop for a drink and a bite to eat.
• Sõru-Emmaste-Kõpu: Last but not least, this is the longest of the suggested rides — 60 kilometers but worth every centimeter. Churches, including the lovely wooden Mänspäe Chapel, and lighthouses, are the highlights of this route. In Ristna, stop at one of Estonia's quirkiest museums — the Museum of Sea Garbage. Not only can you see what has washed ashore, but you can also purchase bits and bobs made from the flotsam.

Transporting your bike

By train: On each train, there's a compartment marked for bicycles. You can check domestic train routes, ticket information, and schedules on the Elron website. Each departure on the website includes a bike symbol in either green, grey, or red indicating the availability of bike places on the train.

Public transport in Tallinn: You cannot bring your bike on Tallinn public transport if it isn't foldable or packed in a cardboard box. If you try to board with a bike, drivers will likely tell you that bikes are dirty and buses, trams, and trolleys are only for people.

Intercity buses: Generally, long-haul buses must take up to two bicycles if they have space in their luggage compartment. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time to make sure there is space for your bike. Lux Express also offers a free bicycle ticket; up to five bicycles can be booked for each trip.

To the islands: Ferryboats operate between mainland Estonia and nearby islands. The most popular routes are to and from Saaremaa and Hiiumaa and in-between the two. Buy your ticket ahead of time online. The best ticket is the combination bike plus passenger option, you don't need to queue with the cars. The crew will direct you to a parking spot for your bike. 

Cargo service: If you have more time and plan to travel to smaller places in Estonia, you can use Cargobus to transport your bike. Cargobus transports all kinds of items in long-haul buses. Packages are usually sent on the same day and can be collected from the local office (typically located inside the bus stations).

City Bike courier service: Want to rent a bike in Tallinn and ride it to another city without returning to Tallinn? With an offer from City Bike, you can do just that. Ride a bike to Kuressaare, Pärnu, Haapsalu, Narva, Tartu, and even Riga or Vilnius. Leave the bike in a secure place like a hotel or hostel, and a courier will pick it up from there.