Courland Spit and the region around Klaipeda

The fascinating landscape of the Courland Spit has been formed by waves and wind more than 5000 years ago. A bald strip of sand emerged through the course of the centuries, proceeding to seperate the lagoon from the sea. The sand moved eastwards and deposited in the lagoon, creatin 98 km Courland Spit. Nowadays 52 km belong to Lithunia, you will discover these during your trip, and 46 km belong to Russia. The spit seperates the Courland Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. It consists exclusively of sand and tremendous shifting sand dunes who have, after the deforestation in the early modern times, burried several small towns throughout the past centuries. Only in the second half of the 19th century, the dune inspector Wilhelm Franz Epha succeeded in planting and stabilizing the dunes. Marvel at the unique sand dune close to Nidden, one of the greatest ones in Europe. Discover Neringa, the smallest town in Lithunia with a length of 50 km. Invstigate lonely paths and untouched nature as well as old and dreamy villages, even if that means riding some kilometres on sand-, gravel- or grass roads. The landscape is really worth the effort: The UNESCO has not declared the Courland Spit world natural heritage for nothing in 2000.

1. day  Arriving in Klaipeda

Individual arrival in Klaipeda/Memel 6 p.m.: The tour guide welcomes you. Maps, Handover of maps and route descriptions.

2. day  The Gold Coast of Lithunia / Klaipeda ca. 40 km (bus ca. 44 km)

A guided tour around town invites you to discover the beauty of Klaipeda and to learn about its history. Marvel at the numerous redone half-timbered houses dating from the 17th-19th century and at the towns landmark, the Simon-Dach fountain with the character of Ännchen von Tharau known by a folk song. After the tour around town, a bus brings you to Sventoji near the Latvian border on a one hour drive. Here, you will finally get on your bikes. A wonderful bike trail along the Gold Coast of Lithunia will be part of your route. You really should make a lunch break in Lithunias most important spa Palanga. Today, the ancient neoclassicistic palace of Lord Feliks Tyszkiewicz hosts the amber museum and the garden first cultivated in 1897 today. Also take a look at the catholic St. Marys church with its tower measuring 76 metres. The cafes to be found in the pedestrian precinct invite to take a cup of coffee if you do not decide to take it by the beach. You will return to Klaipeda by bike in the afternoon.

3. day  Silute / Heydekrug ca. 52 km (bus ca. 60 km)

In the morning you will start by covering quite a few kilometres. The bus takes you about 70 km towards the region around Klaipeda. Here the nature is the most worthwhile: a magnificent alternation of water and land. A major part of the region is a nature reserve. Just the right environment for a biker! Discover Rusne island situated in the Neman delta and the ancient East-Prussian town Silute/Heydekrug. Off the main roads, you will bike on gravel and grass for about 15 km.

4. day  Nidden ca. 39 km

Passing Russ, Kintai and Vente, you will arrive in Minge, an old fishing village, situated idyllically on a pensinsula in the Neman delta. Vente is definitely worth a short break. Pass by the ornithological station with its octagonal lighthouse from Bismarck times, a technical monument today (built in 1863). Enjoy the fantastic view from the the tio if the look-out (12 m): The Courland Lagoon, the Neringa stripe and Nida lie to your feet. Many birds are caught and ringed in the famous local ornithological station. They travel to Iran, Egypt and South Africa as migrants. We invite you to look forward to a wonderful boat trip of 2 hours across the Courland Lagoon to Nidden. Altogether it's 12 km of gravel paths today.

5. day  Nidden excursion 0 - about 20 km

Two exciting days in Nidden lie ahead of you, you decide yourselves how you wish to spend them. What about visiting Thomas Manns summer residence, a small but interesting museum today? Or do you prefer biking to Preila first to relax on the beautiful beaches and see the regions highest dune afterwards? The dunes are among the regions greatest attractions. 14 villages by the Courland Spit have been burried underneath the shifting sand dunes in the past. At present, they cover 12% of its total area. These sandy giants will impress you for sure! Take your time to enjoy this breath-taking natural phenomenon. Do you feel the urge to climb the top of this dune? Then go for it! This neverending ocean of sand, decorated by the wind and the sporadic bunches of sedge will make you think of the Sahara.

6. day  Excursion to Nidden 0 - about 45 km

How great, another day to be spent in Nidden! Discover the surroundings by bike, enjoying the lonesome trails. You will cross the impressive forest of the Courland Spit, covering about 72% of the surface here, protecting Neringa from the shifting sand dunes. Simple villages seaming the Courland Spits coastline are coming up: Juodkrante, Preila and Pervalka. The original architecture of these wooden houses, covered with thatched roofs ot red brick are so characteristic for this region. Nowhere else you will see so many colorful vanes decorated beautifully in the shape of horses or cocks turning in the wind. These weathercocks attest to the main job of the Spits inhabitants: It is always important for fishermen to know how the wind blows. Today just like in past times you will perceive the smell of smoked fish and see fishermen drying their flues.

7. day  Klaipeda about 66 km

A wonderful bike trail by the Baltic Sea will take you to Klaipeda/Neman. Todays highlight will be the small town of Juodokrante/Schwarzort. Marvel at the numerous wooden sculptures on the witch?s mountain: 71 sculptures made of oak-wood, carved by Lithunian artisans represent witches, devils and heros from Lithunian fairy tales. Keepig your eyes open all the time, you might even find some amber! Workmen found amber in the mood while deepening the shipping route in 1855. This discovery sparked the interest of diverse trademen, so that the small town of Juodokrante became the town of the amber diggers soon. In 1854/ 1855, 2250 tons of amber have been digged out close to Juodokrante; in 1882 very precious prehistorical amber products have been found. Step by step, spacious huts were built, repair shops for ships were opened, the lagoons dock was constructed and workshops for the production of diving gear were established. People only digged for amber during the summer, in three shifts and about 30 weeks per year. The amber won on the ground of the lagoon had to be cleaned and seperated from dirt. 75000 kg of amber per year were approximately digged out between 1860 and 1890. When the amber projects exhausted, the production was discontinued.

8. day  Leaving Klaipeda

After breakfast you may choose to extend your stay or to return homewards.