When looking for a place to travel in Europe, the Baltics are all too often overlooked. As they’re located somewhere in between Western Europe, Scandinavia, Southern Europe and the East, they don’t seem to cross our minds while planning a trip. However, the trio has a lot to offer and the fact that they’re somewhere in the middle of everything can actually be quite interesting. The local culture, the food and even the nature are a mix of different influences from all over Europe. Why choose one destination when you can have it all?
One thing’s for sure, we’re very enthusiastic about the region and therefore strongly encourage you to look into the Baltic States as a destination for one of your future (post Covid-19) travels. They’re really the perfect place to go to when you’re a fan of Brutalist buildings, never-ending nature and a bit of alienation from time to time. Thanks to their size, it’s also quite doable to visit all three countries during one long summer holiday. Road trip, anyone?
1. From Poland to Tallinn
Although, if you’re not a fan of car journeys, there might be a better option out there for you. A new hiking route is planned to open during the summer of 2021, connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through a 2000 kilometer-long route. The Baltic Forest Trail, as the route is called, will start at the frontier between Poland and Lithuania and take travelers all the way to Tallinn in Estonia. At the moment, the whole route is still being prepared, meaning collaborators are putting up signs for you to follow – you don’t want to get lost after all. Accommodations, cultural and natural highlights are also being put on the map so travelers don’t miss a single thing on their journey.
2. One day routes
Maybe you’re thinking: okay, I want to visit the Baltic States but 2000 kilometers? Sounds a bit long for me. No worries, it’ll also be possible to just walk one part of the trail, which will be divided into 20 kilometer-long bits. That may not sound like a lot when you’ve got a whole day to spend, especially since there aren’t a lot of hills nor mountains to be seen, but the actual challenge of the Baltic Forest Trail (aside from its length) is the terrain. This changes a lot and will most certainly put your walking feet to the test, so make sure to be well-equipped for your journey.
If you want more info about the hiking route and when it’ll be opening, check out the Baltic Forest Trail’s website.
