EuroVelo Cycling Routes 10 & 13
EuroVelo connects the most beautiful regions of Europe through long-distance bicycle routes. These routes run right along Estonia's coastline.
EuroVelo Routes 10 & 13 follow Estonian National Route 1.
EuroVelo 10, the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, and EuroVelo 13, the Iron Curtain Trail, run together in Estonia. Both follow Estonia's coastline from the border crossing with Latvia to Narva, including Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, and Muhu Island.
The route is divided into six sections. This article will cover what to see, where to eat, and where to sleep along the way.
EuroVelo Route 11, the East Europe Route, coincides with EuroVelo 10 and 13 east of Tallinn and then cuts south through the middle of Estonia.
Section #1 — 164 km
Ikla border crossing – Kabli – Häädemeeste – Pärnu – Audru – Tõstamaa – Varbla – Virtsu
The first section runs from the Latvian border crossing point at Ikla to Virtsu (164 km), passing through Pärnu on the way. For the first 30 kilometers, you will be cycling along a quiet coastal road, after which you will have to cycle 19 kilometers on a major highway. The 17 km route from Uulu to Pärnu, a beautiful seaside resort town full of activity in the summer, runs mainly along cycle paths.
The route from Pärnu to Virtsu, where you will take the ferry to Saaremaa, includes 11 km of cycle paths at the beginning, followed by a quiet highway between forests, grasslands, and fields. Be sure to take a detour or two when traveling through this section to see the sea. The last 17 km include short stretches of gravel road, but passing the memorable Laelatu wooded meadow, Puhtulaid islet, and cycling over the sea dam on the way make it more enjoyable.
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Section #2 — 336 km
Orissaare – Kõljala – Kuressaare – Tehumardi – Sääre – Kihelkonna – Võhma – Leisi – Triigi Harbor
The second section of the route, 336 km long, runs through the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa. Muhu, with its beautiful views, picturesque villages, and historical sights, is the third-largest island in Estonia. The route is about 50 km long, less than 10 km on gravel roads.
In Saaremaa, you can bike almost entirely around the island (280 km). Around Kuressaare, the island's capital, the route runs for about 30 kilometers along cycling paths, while quiet paved roads cover the other sections. The most challenging section is on the western shore of the Sõrve Peninsula, with about 15 km of dusty gravel roads – but the beautiful sea views make up for it. In Saaremaa, you will experience the unique beauty of this island's nature, including the peace and tranquillity of its more remote corners.
What to see on the road?
Section #3 — 114 km
Emmaste – Kõpu – Kõrgessaare – Kärdla – Heltermaa
The third section of the route will take you from the Triigi Harbor in Saaremaa to Sõru Harbor in Hiiumaa, where the route (114 km) will again be mainly along quiet paved roads, with some cycle paths near Kärdla.
According to cyclists, Hiiumaa is one of the most beautiful areas to cycle in Estonia, with plenty of undisturbed nature, wonderful beaches, tiny villages, and RMK camping sites that allow you to stay close to nature. Kõpu Peninsula and Kassari are indeed the jewels of Hiiumaa, but there is a lot more to explore!
Source: Toomas Lelov, City Bike
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Section #4 — 170 km
Haapsalu – Linnamäe – Nõva – Padise – Paldiski – Keila-Joa – Port of Tallinn
After the ferry ride to the mainland, the fourth section begins from Rohuküla and runs close to the sea all the way to Tallinn (170 km). You can use cycle paths near the cities (more than 10 km around Haapsalu and about 30 km around Tallinn). Most of this section is on smaller forest or coastal roads, which is very comfortable for cyclists. The only challenging section is the rough forest road between Spitham and Nõva (9 km).
It is definitely worth taking some time to look around Haapsalu. This route ends in Tallinn, the capital famous for its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town.
What to see on the road?
Section #5 — 159 km
Maardu – Koogi – Kiiu – Leesi – Loksa – Palmse – Võsu – Sagadi – Vihula
The fifth section runs from Tallinn to Vihula (159 km). Cycle paths lead up to Maardu, with shorter sections to follow. The route consists mainly of paved roads with moderate traffic. The highlights of this section are Jägala Waterfall, the beautiful North Coast, and Lahemaa National Park and its historic manor houses. A detour to the fishing village of Käsmu is also definitely worth taking.
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Section #6 — 151 km
Vihula – Kunda – Aseri – Purtse – Ontika – Toila – Sillamäe – Sinimäe – Narva-Jõesuu – Narva
From Vihula, the sixth section continues to Narva, where this route ends (151 km). The bulk of this section lies in the industrial Ida-Viru County. There are nice cycling paths near Kunda, in Sillamäe, and near Narva, while the rest of the journey is mostly on quiet paved roads. However, you'll have to cycle along the main Tallinn-Narva highway for a few kilometers in four places, as there are no good alternatives. In two places, the route also leads to field roads (7.4 km between Purtse and Aa and 2.5 km near Sillamäe), which are rough but passable regardless of the weather.
The main attractions here are the coastal cliffs, the beautiful seashore at Eisma, Toila Park, the Stalinist architecture of Sillamäe, the long, sandy beach of Narva-Jõesuu, and Narva's rich history.
Source: Peeter Järvelaid
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Last updated
16.01.2025