Route 1 is the longest and most prominent cycling route in Estonia and runs along Estonia's coastline, fitting the EuroVelo system well. Both Eurovelo Route 10 (the Baltic Sea Cycle Route) and Route 13 (the Iron Curtain Trail) run as close to the Estonian coastline as possible.
Ikla border crossing point (0 km) – Kabli (17 km) – Häädemeeste (25 km) – Pärnu (67 km) – Audru (78 km) – Tõstamaa (115 km) – Varbla (137 km) – Virtsu (164 km)
The first section runs from the Latvian border crossing point at Ikla to Virtsu (164 km), passing through Pärnu on the way. For the first 30 kilometres, you will be cycling along a quiet and pleasant coastal road, after which you will have to cycle 19 kilometres on a major highway. The 17 km route from Uulu to Pärnu, a beautiful seaside resort town full of activity in the summer, runs mainly along cycle paths.
The route from Pärnu to Virtsu, from where you will take the ferry to Saaremaa, includes 11 km of cycle paths at the beginning, followed by a quiet and pleasant highway between forests, grasslands, and fields. Be sure to take a detour or two when traveling through this section to see the sea. You will encounter short stretches of gravel road in the last 17 km but passing the memorable Laelatu wooded meadow, Puhtulaid islet, and cycling over the sea dam on the way make it more enjoyable.
Orissaare (219 km) – Kõljala (261 km) – Kuressaare (290 km) – Tehumardi (307 km) – Sääre (340 km) – Kihelkonna (414 km) – Võhma (461 km) – Leisi (496 km) – Triigi harbour (500 km)
The second section of the route, 336 km long, runs through the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa. Muhumaa with its beautiful views, picturesque villages and historical sights is the third largest island in Estonia. The route in Muhumaa is about 50 km long, of which less than 10 km is on gravel roads.
In Saaremaa, you can bike almost an entire circuit of the island (280 km). Around Kuressaare, the capital of the island, the route runs for about 30 kilometres along cycling paths, while quiet paved roads cover the other sections. The most difficult section is on the western shore of the Sõrve peninsula, with about 15 km of dusty gravel roads – but the beautiful sea views make up for it. In Saaremaa you will experience the unique beauty of this island's nature, the peace and tranquillity of the more remote corners (especially on the Sõrve peninsula) and the roaming wildlife and birds.
Emmaste (505 km) – Kõpu (547 km) – Kõrgessaare (568 km) – Kärdla (586 km) – Heltermaa (614 km)
The third section of the route will take you from the Triigi harbour in Saaremaa to the Sõru harbour in Hiiumaa, from where the route (114 km) will again be mainly along quiet paved roads, with some cycle paths near Kärdla. According to cyclists, Hiiumaa is one of the most beautiful areas to cycle in Estonia, with plenty of undisturbed nature, wonderful beaches, harbours and tiny villages, as well as RMK camping sites that allow you to stay close to nature. It's true that Kõpu peninsula and Kassari are the jewels of Hiiumaa, but there is a lot to explore around every corner.
Haapsalu (623 km) – Linnamäe (636 km) – Nõva (676 km) – Padise (715 km) – Paldiski (731 km) – Keila-Joa (751 km) – Tallinn harbour (784 km)
After the ferry ride to the mainland, the fourth section begins from Rohuküla and runs close to the sea all the way to Tallinn (170 km). You can use cycle paths near the cities (more than 10 km around Haapsalu and about 30 km around Tallinn). Most of this section is on smaller forest or coastal roads, which is very comfortable for cyclists. The only more challenging section is the rough forest road between Spitham and Nõva (9 km). It is definitely worth taking some time to have a look around Haapsalu (the Haapsalu Castle, beach promenade, charming wooden houses). This route ends in Tallinn, the capital, which is known all over the world for its sights.
Maardu (802 km) – Koogi (817 km) – Kiiu (831 km) – Leesi (857 km) – Loksa (873 km) – Palmse (910 km) – Võsu (918 km) – Sagadi (937 km) – Vihula (943 km)
The fifth section runs from Tallinn to Vihula (159 km). There are cycle paths leading up to Maardu, with shorter sections to follow. The route consists mainly of paved roads with moderate traffic. The highlights of this section are the Jägala waterfall, the beautiful peninsulas of the northern coast and of course the Lahemaa National Park with its incomparable nature and beautiful manor houses. A detour to the fishing village of Käsmu is also definitely worth taking.
Vihula (943 km) – Kunda (971 km) – Aseri (994 km) – Purtse (1007 km) – Ontika (1025 km) – Toila (1039 km) – Sillamäe (1057 km) – Sinimäe (1065 km) – Narva-Jõesuu (1079 km) – Narva (1094 km)
From Vihula, the sixth section continues on to Narva, where this route ends (151 km). The bulk of this section lies in the industrial Ida-Viru County, but cyclists are not bothered by mines and factories when travelling along the coastal road. There are nice cycling paths near Kunda, in Sillamäe and near Narva, while the rest of the journey is mostly on quiet paved roads. However, you'll have to cycle along the main Tallinn-Narva highway for a few kilometres in four places, since there are no good alternatives. In two places the route also leads to field roads (7.4 km between Purtse and Aa and 2.5 km near Sillamäe), which are rough but passable regardless of the weather.
The main attractions here are the cliffed coast, the beautiful seashore at Eisma, Toila park, the Stalinist architecture of Sillamäe, Narva-Jõesuu as a developing resort town and Narva, the capital of the county with a rich history.