Lahemaa to Onion Route and Tartu Back to list

Lahemaa to Tartu tour takes you to Lahemaa National Park treasures like Palmse, Sagadi and Vihula Manors. On your way is small and charming Rakvere with its medieval castle ruins and unique Russian Old Believers row villages with a distinctive atmosphere, along Lake Peipsi shores. Tour ends in the University town of Tartu.

Road alongside Lake Peipsi is called Onion Road. This is the place where two nations and three cultures meet. 

Lahemaa, Lake Peipsi to Tartu Tour

PRICE from 578 EUR per person

Price includes:

  • Accommodation, 6 nights in double/twin room
  • 6 breakfast
  • Detailed route description including turn-to-turn instructions, sights & descriptions, opening times, prices, timetables, recommendations for lunch and dinner
  • Unlimited use of Water Park and Sauna Centre in the hotel in Rakvere
  • Daily maps
  • Sending bike back to Tallinn fee
  • Emergency phone support
  • All taxes and service fees

Extras (not included):

  • Trekking bike rent for 7 days is 84 EUR per bike
  • E-bike rent for 7 days is 196 EUR
  • Ortlieb waterproof pannier bags rent for 7 days is 16 EUR per pair (20 L each)
  • Ortlieb waterproof handlebar bag rent for 7 days is 10 EUR per bag
  • Single supplement + 195 EUR

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Day 1: Bike ride to Valkla. Distance: 45 km / 27 mi
Cycling out of Tallinn until the town of Maardu is on a bicycle road. Tallinn Botanic Garden and TV tower are on your way out of Tallinn. Road then takes you to small town Maardu and continues around old Ülgase Phosphorite Mines to Jõelähtme. Estonia’s most powerful waterfall in Jägala is on your way. Stay in Valkla in a guesthouse next to the beach.

Day 2. Bike ride to Palmse. Distance: 55 km / 34.3 mi

Day 2 you have two routes to continue. One takes you close to the seaside with sandy beaches, great views and hiking trail to the third largest boulder in Estonia – Majakivi (House Stone). The other route takes you to Estonia's most known nature sight Viru Bog. Both routes meet in Palmse. Stay in Palmse in a guesthouse. An extra day is recommended in Palmse to visit Käsmu and Altja villages.

Day 3: Bike ride to Rakvere. Distance: 65 km / 40.6 mi

Route to Rakvere has a lot to see. Sagadi Manor and Estonia Forestry Museum and Vihula Manor are on your way. After Vihula, the route turns to the seaside and that is one of the most beautiful routes to ride. Sagritsa Museum in Karepa is worth visiting and the break on Karepa beach is the must. Just a short loop away are Toolse Castle ruins - located closest to the sea. The twisty road to Haljala is just a pure pleasure to cycle. Rakvere is your final destination on that day. Castle Ruins are worth visiting here. Stay in a Spa Hotel.

Day 4. Cycling to Sahargu. Distance: 59 km / 37 mi
Day four takes you through Estonian forests and fields to a small Sahargu village. Stay in B&B.

You can combine your cycling tour with bear watching. Sahargu is the pick up point for Bear Watching Tour.  Tours are taking place in May-June and Sept-Oct. Night in a cabin in the forest. 

Day 5. Cycling to Alatskivi village. Distance: 68 km / 42.2 mi
Route continues to the shores of the fourth biggest lake in Europe - Lake Peipsi. Peipsi area is home to Old Believers, a traditional religious minority recognised as hard-working and skillful fishermen, builders and keen onion cultivators. On your way are authentic and unique Russian Old believers villages and many smoked fish stands. Alatskivi is your final destination on that day and the impressive manor house here is worth visiting. Stay in a guesthouse in Alatskivi. 

Day 6. Cycling to Tartu  Distance: 48 or 56 or 72 km / 30 or 35 or 45 mi
Last cycling day will take you to small villages along the shoreline of Lake Peipsi. The onion cultivation culture has given the name to the road starting from Alatskivi - Onion Road. If you’re looking for that hearty, home-cooked dinner experience, make sure to have a taste of the many pastries and onion dishes available. Onion Route runs until Varnja, from there the route continues to your final destination - university town Tartu. Stay in a hotel.

Day 7. End of the tour (2 hr 20 min by train or by bus)
Cycle tour ends in Tartu. Bikes will stay at the hotel, you can take the train or bus back to Tallinn or bus to Riga (Latvia)

  • Ortlieb Handlebar bag with map case

    We rent waterproof Ortlieb Ultimate Handlebar bags.

    Rental includes map holder and holder

    Volume: 7 L

    height: 21 cm / 8.3 in
    width: 23.5 cm / 9.3 in
    depth: 14 cm / 5.5 in
    weight: 710 g / 25 oz

    We rent this bag only with our bicycles, due to clamp attachment compications.

    1.50 eur

    OFF
  • Cargo treilers

    BOB YAK

    The Yak Trailer carries up to 70lb / 32 kg so you don’t have to leave anything behind. Trailer tracks rear wheel of bicycle, making it easier to navigate narrow roads or single track. Low center of gravity keeps the weight off your bicycle frame for better handling and performance than racks and panniers. Bag included.

    Cargo Space: 25in x 16in x 18in / 64cm x 41cm x 46cm 

    Bag: 94 L, 100% waterproof

    Prices:

    1 day (24 hrs) 7.50 EUR

    1 week 37 EUR

    7.50 eur

    OFF
  • Garmin GPS

    GPS Garmin Edge 800, we have only one GPS for rent.

    5.00 eur

    OFF
  • Pannier bags rental

    Pair of Ortlieb waterproof panniers

    Price per pair: 3 EUR per day, 16 EUR per week

    One pair 2 x 20 liters

    height:42 cm
    upper width:32 cm
    bottom width:23 cm
    depth:17 cm
    weight:1900 g.
    volume:40 l. 

    3.00 eur

    OFF

Great company and good service! Keep riding! George P