Destination Gdańsk: EuroVelo routes to Velo-city 2025

EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance cycle routes that connect all corners of Europe. The trademark for EuroVelo is owned by the European Cyclists' Federation, which coordinates its development. This means that only routes approved by the ECF can be labelled as EuroVelo. Gdańsk is crossed by three EuroVelo routes which will bring you to the doorstep ofVelo-city 2025: EuroVelo 9, EuroVelo 10, and EuroVelo 13.

EuroVelo 9 - Baltic - Adriatic

EuroVelo 9 is an adventurous 2,050 km cycling route that connects the Adriatic Sea to the Baltic Sea, crossing through six countries: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Czechia, and Poland. The path follows the historical trade route that transported amber from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.

The journey begins in the Istria Peninsula of Croatia, with its largest town, Pula, famous for its Roman amphitheatre. The route winds through charming hilltop towns and vineyards, offering scenic views of the Mediterranean landscape. It briefly enters Italy to visit the picturesque port city of Trieste before continuing into Slovenia, where you will pass through Ljubljana, celebrated for its medieval castle and rich cultural history. While there, you might as well bring back some Velo-city 2022 memories and share how the city’s cycling network has evolved since then.

In Austria, the route takes you through the stunning wine, spa and volcano regions of Eastern Styria, with healing springs and breathtaking landscapes – quite literally as the hills are not the easiest. You finally get to the majestic city of Vienna, known for its imperial architecture, coffeehouse culture, and delightful desserts like Kipferl.

Cycling into Czechia, EuroVelo 9 passes through the medieval town of Mikulov, the Moravian Karst, a unique landscape of caves, and the UNESCO-listed city of Olomouc. In Poland, the route is particularly family-friendly, offering a flat terrain perfect for leisurely cycling through natural and historical sites like the Lower Vistula Valley and Wielkopolski National Park. It also takes you through Wrocław and Poznań, before arriving in the old Hanseatic city of Gdańsk, on the Baltic coast of northern Poland.

EuroVelo 10 - Baltic Sea Cycle Route

Embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure along EuroVelo 10 – Baltic Sea Cycle Route, a dream journey for anyone captivated by the seashore in all its forms, from sandy beaches to rugged cliffs and charming port cities. You can cycle to Poland from the north-east, by crossing Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania or from the north-west, by crossing Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

Coming from the north-east, you’ll follow the Gulf of Finland passing through lively cities like Helsinki and Tallinn and exploring stunning destinations like Lahemaa National Park. From there, you will ride through Estonia’s charming islands, Latvia’s picturesque coast, with Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture as a true highlight, and the charming town of Klaipeda in Lithuania.

As you continue south, experience Poland’s beautiful Warmia and Mazury regions, known for their lush forests and lakes, before cycling through the UNESCO-listed Malbork Castle to reach Gdańsk.

For those starting their journey from Sweden, EuroVelo 10 offers an equally captivating journey. Cycle through Sweden’s idyllic towns and bustling capital, then cross the Danish Straits to explore Denmark’s tranquil islands. From there, head to Germany, following the Velo Baltica route along the Baltic coast, and finally reach Poland’s stunning seaside cities like Sopot, Gdynia and Gdańsk.

If you can’t choose between these two ways, why not enjoy the best of both by cycling one way and returning the other? Locals from Gdansk will tell you: you'll never tire of the Baltic’s beauty!

EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail

For almost half a century, Europe was forcibly divided into East and West. EuroVelo 13 retraces this ‘Iron Curtain’, a border stretching from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea. Following this route for around 10,000 km is a living history lesson but also provides a welcome reminder of the peace and reconciliation that have followed the fall of the ‘Curtain’. As one of the longest EuroVelo routes, the Iron Curtain Trail has something to offer to every type of cycle tourist, from the vineyards in southern Czechia and northern Austria to the mountainous border of Bulgaria and Greece; and from the bustling ports of the Baltic States to the stark beauty of Sápmi.

The Iron Curtain Trail has received significant support from the European Institutions over the years. Back in 2005, the European Parliament recognised the ‘Iron Curtain Trail’ as a model project for sustainable tourism and called upon the Member States for support. EuroVelo 13 is also a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2019.

Travelling along the Iron Curtain Trail, Gdańsk is halfway, so you can either reach it cycling southwards from the Norwegian town of Kirkenes, which is found beyond the Arctic Circle, or cycling northwards from the Turkish coastlines of the Blac Sea. From Kirkenes, the Iron Curtain Trail makes its long descent through the east of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and then takes you to Gdańsk, the birthplace of the solidarity movement of the early 1980s – a major contributory factor in the fall of the Iron Curtain in Europe. If you are coming from the South, you can start with a dip in the Black Sea and then cycle through TurkeyTürkiye, Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czechia Republic, the former inner German border and finally the Polish Baltic coastline.

What are you waiting for? Grab your bike and cycle to Gdańsk, a perfect destination for cycling enthusiasts and this year’s Velo-city host. If you are unsure what the best way is to go to Gdańsk from your place, try our route planner, developed to help you organise your cycling trips along EuroVelo routes. Join us for the unforgettable 2025 Velo-city Conference from 10-13 June 2025!

Warning It is currently not possible to cross the border between Finland and Russia, and there are restrictions in place at the Narva border crossing between Estonia and Russia. Cyclists travelling on EuroVelo 10 and 13 are strongly advised to skip the Russian section of the routes. On the EuroVelo website you can find reliable alternatives which are not part of the official EuroVelo itineraries but ensure continuity for now.

------------------------- Velo-city is the yearly flagship event of the European Cyclists' Federation and it is co-organised with a different city every year. Being part of Velo-city is more than going to a conference with an exhibition - it is about joining a community of passionate people who are there to take action and make a difference. This year, Velo-city takes place in Gdańsk from 10-13 June 2025 under the theme ‘Energizing solidarity’. Save the date!

Written By Milvia Maria Conese