EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail

Latvia

The itinerary of EuroVelo 13 in Latvia is over 550km and follows the sea coast as closely as possible from the Estonian border (Ainaži) to the Lithuanian (Nida). Visitors will enjoy Latvia’s rich natural landscape of which 56% is covered by forest. Riga, the largest city in the Baltic States, offers a good counter-balance to the wilderness of its countryside. The route also visits Ventspils, which boasts the most developed cycling infrastructure in Latvia, whilst Liepāja and Karosta are very fitting destinations for the Iron Curtain Trail route thanks to their rich and well preserved Soviet military heritage.

EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2019.
EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2019.
Landen

Legend

Development status
  • Certified These sections were awarded the official EuroVelo Certification label, ensuring high-quality cycling conditions.They were surveyed in the field by EuroVelo Route Inspectors to respect minimum requirements for motorised traffic levels, surface quality, EuroVelo signage, and access to services as defined by the European Certification Standard (ECS) methodology. EuroVelo Certified routes are the best options for beginners!
  • Developed + Signed These sections offer generally good cycling conditions, with limited motorised traffic, rideable surfaces, and EuroVelo signs along the route. Developed routes with signs are suitable for most cyclists. However, short stretches with lower-quality conditions may occur, and it is recommended to bring a map or navigation app as signs can have defects.
  • Developed + Not Signed These sections offer generally good cycling conditions, with limited motorised traffic and rideable surfaces, but without EuroVelo signs. Developed routes without signs are suitable for most cyclists. However, short stretches with lower-quality conditions may occur, and it is warmly recommended to bring a map or navigation app.
  • Partially Developed + Signed Cycling is possible here, but conditions vary. Some stretches may have high motorised traffic or poor surfaces, even though EuroVelo signs are in place. Partially developed routes with signs are suitable for experienced cyclists only, and it is recommended to bring a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centres are working on improvements.
  • Partially Developed + Not Signed Cycling is possible here, but conditions vary. Some stretches may have high motorised traffic or poor surfaces, and EuroVelo signs are not in place. Partially developed routes without signs are suitable for experienced cyclists only, and it is warmly recommended to bring a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centres are working on improvements.
  • Undeveloped / Unknown These sections do not meet minimum requirements for motorised traffic levels or surface quality – or their conditions are currently unknown. They may include dangerous stretches. Cyclists choosing to cycle there should use a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. It is recommended to use public transport to skip these areas where possible.
  • Public transport link These sections include continuity across seas or rivers and undeveloped parts of the network that can be skipped with a reliable public transport connection allowing bicycle transport.

Markers

  • Natuurlijk Erfgoed
  • UNESCO-werelderfgoed
  • Cultureel Erfgoed
  • Culinaire Hoogstandjes
  • Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
  • Other Point of Interest
  • Service
  • Bus station
  • Train station
  • Mobility info center

National & Regional Information

Latvian bicycle information centre

The Latvian bicycle information centre is a bicycle tourism organisation founded in Riga in 1991. Their website contains a lot of information and maps for domestic routes and bicycle tourism in Latvia. However, much of it is currently only available in Latvia, so send any questions about EuroVelo 10 and 11 to their e-mail address: [email protected] and they will try and provide all the necessary information - route descriptions, public transport, cycle friendly services, rental facilities etc.

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Vidzeme Tourism Association

Vidzeme is one of the four historic provinces in Latvia, located in the north east. Its regional tourism association is responsible for the development of EuroVelo 13 in Latvia, and provides information about the route and work in progress as well as information about accomodation and cycle-friendly actvities in the region.

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Gerelateerd nieuws

Kaarten & Gidsen

EuroVelo 10, EuroVelo 13: Iron Curtain Trail 1 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes EuroVelo routes in Finland from Helsinki, across Russia and Estonia (1,778 km). 10 km to Riga are also described in Latvia. Also available in German. The perfect tool to guide you during your journey preparation and on the road: precise and very informative maps at a scale of 1:120,000 and 1:400,000, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory, LiveUpdate, handlebar bag format, and spiral-bound.

EuroVelo 10, EuroVelo 13: Iron Curtain Trail 2 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes EuroVelo 10 & EuroVelo 13 in Latvia from Riga, across Lithuania, Russia, and Poland and in Germany up to Lübeck (1,604 km). Half of the route in Latvia is described in the book. The perfect tool to guide you during your journey preparation and on the road: maps at a scale of 1:85,000, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory, LiveUpdate, handlebar bag format, and spiral-bound. Also available in German.

Tour Packages