About Border
Border is a fast child of Baltic unsupported bikepacking challenge called "Hydra" and is an event of "Epas" kind. The idea is to use the gravel roads when they are in the best condition - early autumn, when they are a bit wet, but solid. The route was born from tourism route, that we as riders started using from 2008 and were fascinated in, wanted to show and share this route with other gravel lovers.
The remote border roads have low traffic, lots of fauna, are highly forested, unusually hilly compared to other Lithuania's parts, meets Baltic seaside in the west...
The route
The full route is around 1700 km with 8,5 kms of ascent. Starts and ends in a beautiful resort city - Zarasai. The short distance from Zarasai to Druskininkai is 600 km in total.
Riders do have to tackle with various conditions while progressing the track.
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It starts being really hilly in the Highlands near Zarasai and gets tricky in DieveniškÄ—s appendix. It's more technical there as well. The track is quite dependent on rain conditions on the east side. If it's rainy - it will be slippery and hard rolling with a lot of resistance. Becomes flat and sandy in South, when approaching Marcinkonys and Druskininkai city.
From Druskininkai to Vištytis city, where Border meets Kaliningrad, there will be sandy and hilly, gear range and wide tires are a plus there.
Vištytis lake to Kuršių sea part is following Kaliningrad district (Russia) border - rivers ŠešupÄ— and Nemunas. Long straight flat gravel parts will be changed by border patrol dirt roads. It can get wind-challenging after Jurbarkas until you reach Kuršiai sea. Gravel and asphalt will vary there with few exceptions: meadows and their off-roads will be waiting there.
The end of border with Russia will be marked by visiting German style ŠilutÄ— city.
Afterwards ŠilutÄ— riders will enter a long straight single track near Wilhelm canal or can take the ferry and go through world heritage site - Curonian Spit and reach KlaipÄ—da - third biggest Lithuania's city.
From KlaipÄ—da to Latvia's border the route is mostly wide seaside cycle paths.
Latvia's border to Zarasai are mostly straight wide gravel and asphalt roads with Naujoji Akmenė, Žagarė and Biržai cities in between. Just before reaching Zarasai there will be some challenging ​sections, that might become hard offroad in bad weather.
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Track does change a lot during ride, riders will see very different views while progressing and we are almost sure they will be amazed by the wildness Border offers.
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2025 edition's GPX: epas.cc/routes/border-2025
