2-Day Ecotourism Route in the Curonian Spit (Starting and Ending Point – Smiltynė)
Detailed Route Description and Service Providers
Day 1: Smiltynė – Juodkrantė – Nida (about 52 km by bicycle)
The bike path on the Curonian Spit leads through pine forests and coastal dunes, away from car traffic. Travel slowly, enjoying the beauty of nature and the fresh air.
Morning in Smiltynė (0 km): The route begins at the Smiltynė ferry terminal – you will cross over to the Curonian Spit by ferry from Klaipėda. Before starting your cycling trip, refill your drinking water supply (e.g., in Klaipėda or bring full water bottles with you). Since shops and cafes on the Curonian Spit are only located in the settlements, it is advisable to have your own snacks and water for the entire day.
experienced cyclists – motor vehicle traffic is prohibited. As you travel along it, you can enjoy the pine forests, hear the Baltic Sea roaring from the west, and feel the calm of the Curonian Lagoon on the eastern side. About 18 km from Smiltynė, you’ll reach an information stand near the large colony of great cormorants and grey herons in Juodkrantė. This is a unique place: it is home to the largest and oldest cormorant colony in Lithuania (more than 2,000 birds nest here). From spring to mid-summer, life in this "bird city" is in full swing – hundreds of nests are built in the trees. From the designated viewing platform, you can safely observe these birds and the "ghost-like" forest area they occupy (trees dried up from bird droppings). Note: Birdwatching: In addition to the cormorant colony, you can also stop at the Bulvyčiai Hill (also known as Avikalnis) observation deck near Juodkrantė – it offers a beautiful panorama of the lagoon and forests, and you may also spot waterfowl here. Eco-tip: While birdwatching, remain quiet and avoid approaching nesting areas to prevent causing stress to the birds.
introduces you to a unique, moon-like dune landscape: here you will see 60-meter-high sand hills, called the Dead Dunes, formed by drifting sand. The trail offers views of the Great Dune Ridge, remnants of ancient buried forests, fragments of white dunes, and the bluish Curonian Lagoon on the horizon. About 200 years ago, entire villages – Nagliai, Karvaičiai – were buried under these dunes, which is why they are called "dead."Important: The dunes are a very fragile ecosystem – scientists have calculated that each person who climbs an unauthorized slope displaces tons of sand and causes dune erosion. Therefore, strictly follow the marked paths and signs (visitors are only allowed on designated trails). During the summer season, a symbolic fee (2–5 €) is charged for visiting this trail, which goes toward the maintenance of the reserve (tickets are sold at the information post near the trail entrance).
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Birdwatching along the lagoon: From Nida to Pervalka, there are as many as six birdwatching towers installed along the Curonian Lagoon shore. They are located on scenic capes – Bulvikis Cape (near Nida), Ožkos Cape, Pervalka Cape, Žirgai Cape – as well as near Bulvikis and Karvaičiai bays. If you have time before sunset, you can stop at one of them (for example, near Preila or at Bulvikis Cape near Nida) and observe water birds. The spit is home to many species, especially during migration seasons. Bulvikis Cape near Nida is the widest part of the spit – from the observation tower, you can see Ventė Cape on the opposite shore. In these areas, you may spot swans, various ducks, sandpipers, and sometimes even sea eagles or other birds of prey. Refilling drinking water supplies: When stopping in the villages, you can refill your bottles. For example, in Nida, public drinking water fountains are installed in the central square and on the beaches, so once you arrive in Nida, you can refill your water for free – helping reduce the need for plastic bottles.
the lagoon promenade. Dinner in Nida: You can have dinner at the café Nidos Kuršis (Naglių g. 29, Nida) – a long-time local favorite known for its traditional Lithuanian and fish dishes. Here you’ll find both fresh fish meals (e.g., fried pike-perch, fish cutlets) and Lithuanian cuisine (like cepelinai, šaltibarščiai) – the menu is diverse, and the portions are generous. After dinner, take in the beauty of Nida’s nature: we recommend climbing to the Parnidis Dune observation point. The 52-meter-high Parnidis Dune is one of the tallest sand dunes in Europe, and from its summit, you’ll see a stunning panorama: in the west, the sun sets over the Baltic Sea, and in the east, it shines over the Curonian Lagoon. The famous Sun Clock is also located here – a granite sculpture-stele featuring traditional solstice symbols. At sunset, the view from Parnidis Dune is unforgettable and worth experiencing, as the Curonian Spit is the only place in Lithuania where the sun both rises and sets over water. After sunset, descend back into the town of Nida and rest for the night.
Day 2: Nida – Grey Dunes – Smiltynė (about 52 km by bicycle)
hrough the Curonian Spit. If you are a bird enthusiast, it is worth climbing the Parnidis Dune again in the early morning or walking to the sea – you’ll see various bird species, and in the morning silence, their calls are clearly audible. You can also take a short walk to the birdwatching tower at Bulvikis Cape near Nida, where in the morning, flocks of ducks, cranes, and gulls are often seen in the lagoon bay. You can have breakfast at a local bakery or café offering fresh coffee and pastries. Refill your water at the fountain in the central square and prepare some snacks for the return journey.
and Pervalka. Grey Dunes (Nagliai Nature Reserve): If you didn’t stop at the Nagliai educational trail yesterday or wish to experience it at a quieter time, you can stop now. In the morning, there are fewer visitors, making the dune landscape feel even more majestic in the silence. As you walk the trail, enjoy once again the unique beauty of the Grey Dunes, remembering that entire villages lie buried beneath the sand under your feet. Please remember to stay on the wooden trail – do not walk on the open sand outside the marked path, as it damages the dunes. From the top of the dunes, in daylight, you may even see the towers of Klaipėda city in the distance to the north. The trail takes about 1 hour to complete. Continue your bike ride onward.
ne forest), you can do so now – the ~1 km forest trail with carved devils and witches offers a nice break from cycling. It is the only site on this route with a cultural focus, but it blends into the natural surroundings (you can walk the trail in about 30 minutes). Lunch in Juodkrantė: If you’re hungry, you can have lunch in Juodkrantė. Besides the already mentioned Žuvelė, there are other cafes – for example, the restaurant Juodasis kalnas (Ievos Kalno g. 22) or the café Pamario takas. Choose a place where you can try local dishes – perhaps freshly smoked eel (often sold at the pier) or a traditional fish pie. Don’t forget to act sustainably here as well: avoid plastic straws, and sort your food waste (many cafes already have separate containers).Waste Sorting: The Neringa municipality strongly encourages visitors to sort their waste – containers for plastic, paper, and glass are placed all over the spit. In 2023, more than 87 tons of packaging waste were collected in Neringa, over half of it during the summer months. So do your part too: dispose of your waste (e.g., water bottles, food packaging) in the appropriate recycling containers, which can be found in central locations or near the bus stop in Juodkrantė.
ou can make a short stop at the beach – to cool down, swim (if it’s the season), or simply relax by the shore. Reminder: At the beach, follow eco-friendly principles – do not leave litter, avoid smoking in protected areas, and don’t disturb birds. You will reach Smiltynė in the second half of the day (around evening). At the end of the route, before taking the ferry back to Klaipėda, you can visit Smiltynė beach or the nearby forest educational trail, if you still have energy – there are several informational stands about the coastal forest ecosystem.
Service Providers Along the Route:
Apartaments „Mėlyna Vila“:Rooms in Ethnographic Fisherman’s Homestead:
Tips: All visited places on the route are natural, so follow the park rules: don’t stray off marked trails, don’t damage dune vegetation, don’t light fires in unauthorized areas. Respect wildlife — do not approach wild an
imals, keep dogs on a leash. Save water and energy — e.g., turn off unnecessary lights and use showers responsibly in accommodations. The Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO protected area, a unique creation of nature and humans. Your chosen ecotourism route helps preserve this area. Your two-day journey has come to an end, but the impressions — the dune landscapes, the abundance of birds you encountered, the delicious fish dishes, and the good work you did collecting litter — will stay in your memory for a long time. We wish that the inspiration of the Curonian Spit remains with you and encourages you to continue traveling responsibly!
Full route in PDF format.
This project is implemented with the financial support from the BESTbelt project of the European Union. The contents of this project are the sole responsibility of Lithuanian countryside tourism association and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
