WCRVBB-T18-TOUR OF ESTONIA 900 km in 10 Stages

TOUR DE ESTONIA: 900 km en 10 etapas:
Click for first stage

Ruta que fa la volta a Estonia amb inici i final a Tallin. Visitem les illes de Hiiumaa/Saaremaa i els parcs nacionals de Soomaa (grans boscos) i Lahemaa (costa nord). Seguim trams de la Ruta Nacional per bicis núm 1, 5 i 4.

Ruta que da la vuelta a Estonia con inicio y final en Tallin. Visitamos las islas de Hiiumaa/Saaremaa y los parques nacionales de Soomaa (grandes bosques) y Lahemaa (costa norte). Seguimos tramos de la Ruta Nacional para bicis núm 1,5 y 4.

This is the Tour to Estonia starting and ending in Tallinn. We visit the islands of Saaremaa/Hiiumaa and national parks Soomaa and Lahemaa. We follow part of National Bike Routes num 1, 5 and 4.

SUMMARY OF THE ROUTE
In 10 days you will do the complete round tour to the beautiful baltic country of Estonia. 900 km through bike paths, non paved roads, quiet secondary roads and few main roads, but with not many traffic. The profile is flat, but a bit windy sometimes. There live few people in the country and cities are small. So impressive lots of nature with almost no villages.

The trip has various diferenciated parts:

The first part, from Tallin to Haapsalu, goes along the north coast of the country, with steep cliffs. Crossing Tallin is not so difficult for the traffic. Then we circulate in secondary roads with few cars and some bike lines. The second stage we took an old train track, converted in bike path, very flat and straight.

The second part are the islands. We have to take ferries from island to island and the landscape is very beautiful. We take the main roads, that have not many traffic. The coast is flat and instead of sand beaches you find wetlands with many vegetation of sweet water. We only cross a little of Hiiumaaa. Then Saaremaa, where we ride two stages. And Muhu, the smallest and less inhabited.

On the third part, after visiting Parnu, a beautiful coast city, we cross entirely the Soomaa National Park, with neverending nonpaved roads between very huge and tall trees. Interesting to visit de bogs, marshes with wooden elevated paths to take a pacefully stroll. Many birdwatching towers.

We enter now the fourth part, to connect Tartu. Almost in main roads, but not difficult to ride because of the traffic. We cross Tartu and head north to Rakvere, using the train 80 kilometers to avoid a 11th stage.

Finally we enter in the fifth and last part of the journey, crossing to the Lahemaa National Park. It's in the north coast, heading Tallin. You cross impressive woods of tall trees, rivers full of beavers and the caracteristic coast with big rocks in the water. Perhaps this rocks come from the old glaciers from the Artic.

Interesting to visit the Manors you find in every places, like little castles of rich properties.

We finally arrive at Tallin, a small but beautiful city, with an interesting old city, its ramparts and nice squares.

WHICH BIKE
The better is a trekking bike, because most of the way are asphalted roads but sometimes are non paved. For the Soomaa National Park, better a bit of suspension.

WHEN TO GO
Best time is late spring and summer, because of the lenght of the day, thing that let be the stages more relaxed.

HOW TO GET THERE
Plane to Tallin is the better option. Combinations with Norway are also possible.

WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at little hotels with can be reserved by booking.com. I don't know about campings, but you can also stay in little hostels.

DIFFICULTIES
The route is very flat, with almost no dificulties and few cars in the roads. The Saaremaa is difficult because of the long nonpaved roads with almost no services or villages. The wind can also be strong in some stages. The ferry Hiumaa-Saarema has little frequency. From inland to Saaremaa there are mor ferries. Trains are not very frequent, but you can carry bikes.

DOCUMENTATION
Estonian Travel Guide for cyclists, by Regio.
http://www.balticcycle.eu/shop/en/?language=en to by the maps.

IMPORTANT FACTS
Life cost is not so high compared to most european standards, but higher than the neigbours Letonia and Lithuania. They have euro, that is rising prices. You don't need Visa from Europa.

STAGES
You can click on every stage to get into the stage website:
STAGE 01-Tallin-Paldiski 62,8 km From the Airport, cross Tallin and to Paldiski.
STAGE 02-Paldiski-Haapsalu 90,3 km The train track stage to Haapsalu.
STAGE 03-Haapsalu-Kuressaare 110,4 km The first stage on the islands. 2 ferrys in a day.
STAGE 04-Kuressaare-Muhu 92,8 km;Interesting lonely road through the islands.
STAGE 05-Muhu-Parnu 85,3 km Down and down to Parnu with the main road.
STAGE 06-Parnu-Viljandi 99,3 km The crossing of Soomaa and his bogs trails.
STAGE 07-Viljandi-Tartu 88,7 km Stage conecting to Tartu with the main road.
STAGE 08-Tartu-Rakvere 97,0 km Interesting stage with som spots to visit and train.
STAGE 09-Rakvere-Loksa 91,2 km Incredible stage crossing Laaremaa National Park.
STAGE 10-Loksa-Tallin 82,6 km The rest of the park and entering Tallin.

You can contact vicens.borrell@gmail.com for further information.

You can find the world cycling routes of the WCRVBB project clicking here to access.

You can click over this other project bike routes or search the tags in google.
- DCRVBB, for one day routes around Europe.
- KCRVBB, for one day routes with kids around Europe.
- COLVBB, for climbings of Tour de France, Vuelta a Espanya, Giro di Italia, ...
- BCNVBB, for one day routes around Barcelona.
- RBTTCASSA, for MTB routes around Cassa de la Selva (Girona).
- RBTTCAT, for MTB routes around Catalunya.

Have a nice trip!

1: WCRVBB-T18-TOUR OF ESTONIA 900 km in 10 Stages Ver detalle
2: START: TALLIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Ver detalle
3: STAGE 1: PALDISLKI 63 km Ver detalle
4: STAGE 2: HAAPSALU 90 km Ver detalle
5: STAGE 3: KURESSAARE 110 km Ver detalle
6: STAGE 4: MUHU 92 km Ver detalle
7: STAGE 5: PARNU 85 km Ver detalle
8: STAGE 6: VILJANDI 99 km Ver detalle
9: STAGE 7: TARTU 89 km Ver detalle
10: STAGE 8: RAKVERE 97 km Ver detalle
11: STAGE 9: LOKSA 91 km Ver detalle
12: STAGE 10: TALLIN 87 km Ver detalle