Cycling in Saaremaa

Saaremaa is an island of just the right size for taking trips by bike. Year-by-year, the number of bicycle tourists in Saaremaa has been increasing. In the vicinity of Kuressaare, there are 30 km of cycle tracks for biking around. There are also Euro Velo and Esto Velo routes in Saaremaa, respective signs are by the roadside.

Those keen in cycle sports, have admitted that Saaremaa is an ideal training place for road racers as the roads are of a good quality and with little traffic. Quite often the best racers of Estonia Tanel Kangert, Jaan Kirsipuu, Mihkel Räim etc. can be seen on our roads in their training sessions.

Cycling in Saaremaa is popular. Even though there are 30km bicycle roads around Kuressaare, it may not be enough. It is good to know that the traffic density on the car roads is low, so you can also ride bicycle on car roads. When cycling on car road keep in mind that ride on the right side of the road. And it is strongly advised that one would wear an helmet. It is also good to know that the land is flat, which means no hills and it is easy to cycle.

Not all the roads in Saaremaa are asphalt-paved

Many of them are earth roads. As the villages of Saaremaa are small and dining places cannot be found everywhere, it may be useful to take along your own picnic basket and why not use local food to fill it. When you are discovering the islands, please keep the island clean as well. After having picnic take all the litter with you or find the closest bin where to take this. Saaremaa with other West-Estonia islands have been part of the UNESCO biosphere program area "Man and Biosphere" since 1990. This means that islanders have lived in harmony together with nature for centuries and are continuously doing so. Islanders respect the environment they live in, we hope that the quests will do the same.

Mild autumns of Saaremaa facilitate cycling also outside the high season. A traditional Karujärve Cycling Marathon takes place in the colourful beginning of October.