The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route, which runs along the coast of the Baltic Sea, is part of the European long-distance path E9. Together with the Baltic Forest Hiking Route, it makes up the Baltic Trails. Lonely Planet has named these two hiking routes a Best in Travel Sustainable Destination for 2024!
The hiking trail begins from Nida village at the border of Lithuania and Latvia and ends at Tallinn Port in Estonia. The total length of the route is 1,200 km, 580 km of which are in Latvia and 620 km in Estonia. The route from Nida to Tallinn covers over 500 natural, historic and cultural sites. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Trail also includes the Estonian islands of Kihnu, Saaremaa, Muhu, Hiiumaa, Vormsi, and Osmussaar. The path can be travelled in both directions, as Tallinn can also be the starting point.
The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route comprises 8 major stages, divided into 60 one-day walks between 15 and 25 km. Each day can be regarded as a separate route.
These are the stages in Estonia:
In Estonia, the Coastal Route runs along the seashore for around 100 km between Haapsalu and Tallinn, but as the coastline is irregular elsewhere and comprises numerous capes, reed beds and beach meadows, the remaining ca 500 km can be travelled by coastal roads and, at times, along the side of the motorway. In cities and settlements, the coastal hiking trail extends along the sidewalk.
The route is accessible in all seasons. The coastal area is more crowded during summer, so seaside accommodation should be booked beforehand. The temperature of the seawater may reach +18–20 °C during the summer, so swimming is also an option. Autumn offers more colours to see when walking through the forest – the leaves are varicoloured, and there are mushrooms and berries in the woods. It is also the bird migration season, which may be rainy and stormy; some accommodations and eateries may be closed. During winter, most services may be unavailable. With lasting snow and cold, why not complete some of the stages on skis? Spring offers a chance to witness nature awakening – fragrant lilacs, birds returning from warmer areas, gurgling streams and buds sprouting.
Dangerous natural disasters are not characteristic of the coast of the Baltic Sea. However, a breeze will usually nudge you forward while walking along the coast. There are no tides that restrict travelling along the seashore, but the coastline still varies and may be different upon each subsequent visit to the same place. This Lonely Planet article can also give you an idea of what to expect.