Lithuania is perfect for cycling. The landscape isn’t too hilly, the sights are beautiful and varied, and the quality of the roads is excellent.

There are two international EuroVelo cycle routes in the country. Euro Velo Nr.10 from Nida to Būtingė will lead you along the gorgeous, sandy Baltic coastline passing the seaside resort of Palanga, the port of Klaipėda with its quaint Old Town and the magical national park of Kuršių nerija, a narrow spit of dune-covered land that stretches along the sea.

Euro Velo Nr.11 from Lazdijai to Zarasai allows cyclists to discover the Dzūkija National Park, enjoy the sights of Trakai and its Island Castle, and then see the best of Lithuania’s “lake district” of Aukštaitija.

There are also good cycle paths in each of the national and most of the regional parks, probably the best routes for sheer variety of attractions being in the Žemaitija National Park. Some routes join towns and cities giving cyclists a chance to stop for a cup of tea or a spot of lunch in a civilized café, for example those connecting Palanga and Klaipėda on the coast, Nida, Preila and Pervalka on the Curonian Spit, and Birštonas and Prienai in the Nemunas Regional Park. Even the capital Vilnius has sturdy cycle paths surrounded by real forest in the Verkiai Regional Park and in the city-centre Vingis Park.

More information about cycle paths is available from the national and regional parks, municipalities and tourist information centres.

www.bicycle.lt