Cycling Tour: Riga – Vecāķi – Carnikava – Saulkrasti – Limbaži – Mazsalaca (No. 1)

Tour duration: 3 cycling days
Overall difficulty level: Moderate
Price: EUR 285 per person

The tour is most conveniently started in Riga, the capital of Latvia, with more than 80 direct airBaltic destinations across Europe.

Daily Programme

Day 1 – Arrival in Riga

Arrival in Riga. Free time to explore the historic city centre, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the former Hanseatic cities. The narrow streets of Old Riga, its architecture and vibrant cultural life allow travellers to gradually immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the upcoming adventure.

Day 2 – Riga, Carnikava, Saulkrasti (~50 km)

The day begins with a meeting at the selected hotel in Riga, where e-bikes are provided and a short introductory briefing is given. The cycling route leads through Riga’s historic centre and Mežaparks, with a stop at the Song and Dance Festival Grounds, a site closely linked to Latvian cultural identity and included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The route continues along the coast of the Gulf of Riga, offering scenic seaside views. In Carnikava, the programme includes the promenade, the pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Gauja River, and a visit to a historic fishermen’s homestead where traditional lamprey fishing and processing practices have been preserved for generations and are recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In the evening, arrival in the resort town of Saulkrasti. The southern coastline of Saulkrasti Municipality lies within the Piejūra Nature Park, while the entire coastal area is known for its natural diversity, singing sands, rocky shores and impressive sunsets.
Overnight in Saulkrasti.

Day 3 – Saulkrasti, Skulte, Limbaži (~50 km)

After breakfast, the day starts with a visit to the Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum, the largest exhibition of antique bicycles in Latvia and one of the most significant private collections in the Baltic States. The cycling route continues along the seacoast to Skulte, the terminus of the Riga–Skulte railway line.

The day combines coastal landscapes with inland routes through the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, where travellers can enjoy offerings from Green Railways farmsteads, including horseback riding, rural mini-zoo visits and local gastronomic products. The lakes near Limbaži provide opportunities for swimming at well-equipped beaches.

Overnight in the Limbaži area.

Day 4 – Limbaži, Aloja, Mazsalaca (~40 km)

After breakfast, cycling continues along the Green Railways route Limbaži–Aloja–Mazsalaca. A rest stop is planned at the former Aloja railway station, where pizzas baked over an open fire will be offered.

In Mazsalaca, the final destination of the cycling tour, travellers enjoy an approximately two-hour guided canoe trip on the Salaca River, offering scenic views of Vidzeme’s natural landscapes. The journey concludes with lunch at a restaurant on the picturesque banks of the Salaca River, followed by a transfer from Mazsalaca to Riga.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 3–4 star hotels, manor houses and high-quality guesthouses.
All accommodations are carefully selected, regularly inspected and offer:

• comfort
  
• clean and comfortable rooms
  
• hospitable service
• authentic local atmosphere