Poland​

Route starts near Suwalki city, next to Wigry lake national park which is famous for it's nature beauty and surroundings. From there it follows small rivers and lakes and quickly reaches the sandy border of Lithuania.

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Lithuania​

The route closely hugs the rivers of Nemunėlis, Žeimena, Neris and Lithuania's river father - Nemunas - biggest river in Lithuania.

After entering the country, you will soon reach resort city of Druskininkai, which is famous for it's pine tree parks, forests and SPAs - worth to come back after finishing.

The trail weaves through many nature parks, the famous Labanoras and Gražutė regional parks just to mention a few of them. Route keeps on extending along the Lithuanian-Latvian border gently crossing nice Lithuanian country towns. Finally reaches the point where you have to cross the famous one plank bridge into Latvia.

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Latvia​

After an ultra long stretch through forests, track reaches biggest Latvian river Daugava, hugs and crosses it's greatest dam and swiftly leads you into center of the capital - Riga. Track then follows scenic river of Gauja through its regional park and continues all the way up to Strenči town. The views from the river banks are fascinating and some say it's worth even stopping to admire those green foresty canyons. Seda bog (lat. "purvs") and it's railroad track is one the slowest parts in Hydra, but also at the same time very remote and beautiful. This will end up in Latvian-Estonian city Valka/Valga.

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Estonia

In Estonia track mostly follows roads and hiking paths of Estonian forest service (“RMK”), which follows Latvian-Estonian border quite closely, sometimes even peaking into Latvia. From Valga city route winds through famous Karula and Haanja nature parks. You might want to come back to the beautiful river singletracks that will lead you to finish. ​The route also shares most of its kilometers with famous Tartu marathon track.

Finish is at Tartumaa Sports Complex some 30km away from Tartu, second biggest Estonia’s city.

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​​​​In this manner Hydra's trail traverses Baltic countries

The route is varied and has to offer technical cross country singletracks, long fast gravel sections and everchanging forest roads which go through most beautiful parts of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  Along the way you will have an opportunity to visit a handful of the Baltic States' cities: Kaunas, Vilnius, Zarasai, Riga, Sigulda, Cesis, Valmiera and etc.

We hope you'll be fascinated as we are of how close some of the singletracks appear to be near the city centers and how beautiful and untouched nature is in Baltic states!

 

During the Hydra challenge itself

You will have to check in at 4 checkpoints to not to loose the track of time while enjoying the natural sceneries. Our volunteers will stamp your checkpoint card and will do their best to spirit you up, no matter in what condition you might occur. See PLAN

 

Our team wishes all the best in exploring natural serenity of Baltic States and at the same time putting a challenge in front of yourself.