Discovering Tallin by Bike

Baltics-by-Bike 13-08-2023

Tallin

Venture to the northern edge of Europe, and you’ll find a city that seamlessly blends the ancient with the avant-garde. Enter Tallinn, Estonia. A Walk Through Time

Tallinn’s Old Town is like a page out of a fairy tale. With its medieval walls, watchtowers, and cobblestone streets, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into another era.

Founded in the early 13th century, Tallinn has been a pivotal port, a battleground, and a melting pot of cultures from the Hanseatic League to the Tsars of Russia.

The Gothic Skyline

One of the defining features of Tallinn is its Gothic architecture. The city’s skyline is punctuated by spires, with St. Olaf’s Church once being the tallest building in the world in the 16th century.

These structures stand as silent witnesses to the city’s rich history and architectural prowess.

Exploring Tallin by Bike
Tallin Skyline on a summer early morning

Digital Renaissance

While Tallinn’s roots are ancient, its branches reach firmly into the future.

Known as the birthplace of Skype, the city has become a hub for tech innovators and startups.

This blend of history and modernity gives Tallinn its unique character, where one can walk from medieval squares to cutting-edge tech conferences in mere minutes.

Tallin to Jagala Waterfall

How to get to Jagala Waterfall

From Tallinn, you can easily get to the Jagala Waterfall by bike.

The route is mostly flat, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the falls.

Tallin to Jagala Waterfall by Bike
A stop at Jagala Waterfall

The End of a Journey

For me, Tallinn wasn’t just another stop.

It marked the culmination of my bikepacking journey through the Baltics.

The city’s blend of old and new mirrored my own experiences, from the ancient forests I pedaled through to the modern challenges I faced on the road.

And as I explored Tallinn’s streets, I also said goodbye to this trusty bicycle.

This one-way trip was always about the journey, not the destination.

In a gesture of passing on the spirit of adventure, I gifted my bicycle to someone in need of basic transport, hoping it would serve them as faithfully as it did me.

Getting Better at Goodbye’s

And that was it for me and the bycicle I got back in Warsaw in June.

And here, is where we said goodbye (I know you are serving someone who needs it)

Tallin to Jagala Waterfall by Bike
Saying goodbye to my companion of this 600+ km Bikepacking Trip

The spot were I met with this person was by chance next to a book shop with interesting titles to read in the future.

If someone thought it was not possible to ride from Vilnus to Tallinn in a 70 USD bike…well, you can show them this.

Wait! 70$ for a bike that you used for all the tour? Thats right - And you can get one as well.

It was a great journey, full of beautiful landscapes and lessons learnt

Author's photo

Cycling There

The passion to discover, is what brought these adventures to me. Motivated to show you that it is possible to do, is why I created this blog. If you are reading this, we have more in common than you think - Dont let your fears stop you from doing something you will always remember.

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