The Curonian Spit links Smiltynė, opposite Klaipėda, to Nida, on the border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, along a narrow sand spit listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Lithuanian section offers one of the most distinctive bike paths on the Baltic coast, weaving between pine forest and shifting dunes.
The route
From Nida, the paved path follows the Curonian Lagoon toward Juodkrantė for about 29 km, cutting through a pine forest planted in the 19th century to stabilize dunes that were once mobile. The route is almost entirely flat, with only a few gentle rises around the dune sections, alternating dense forest stretches with open views over the lagoon.
How to approach the ride
No technical difficulty to speak of — a city bike or hybrid with all-terrain tires is more than enough. Bring water and sunscreen all the same, as the open dune sections offer little shade around midday.
When to go
May to September, with a summer peak in Nida during July and August. Spring and early autumn bring a particular light over the dunes and a noticeably quieter path.
Good to know
Nida is reachable from Klaipėda by a passenger-and-bike ferry to Smiltynė, an alternative starting point for the path. The Parnidis Dune, just south of Nida, is worth a walking detour for the summit sundial and the view over the lagoon and the Baltic Sea.
