Discover EuroVelo 13
Welcome to EuroVelo 13, the Iron Curtain Trail.
This cycle route follows the former Iron Curtain that divided Europe during the Cold War, crossing Eastern Europe and linking northern Norway to the Black Sea.
EuroVelo 13, Iron Curtain Trail
Welcome to EuroVelo 13, the historic Iron Curtain cycle route. For almost half a century, Europe was divided between East and West by the Iron Curtain. EuroVelo 13, which has earned the title of longest EuroVelo route, takes you on more than 10,500 kilometers of cycling, from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea. It crosses 20 countries, skirts the coasts of 3 seas and boasts 14 UNESCO sites along the way.
The adventure begins in the peaceful fishing village of Grense Jakobselv, on the shores of the Barents Sea. This region was once an ardently guarded border between Norway and Russia, one of the few buffer lands between the Soviet Union and NATO during the Cold War. Following EuroVelo 13 through Finland, the long hours of summer sunshine give cyclists the freedom to pedal around the clock, contrasting with the harsh winter months that require specialized equipment.
Estonia, steeped in shared history with its neighbors, embodies post-Soviet adaptability. Its route on the Iron Curtain Trail bears witness to this transition, offering varied panoramas between wild nature and architectural heritage. Latvia unfurls its lush landscapes along the 550 km stretch of EuroVelo 13, offering immersion in its vast forests and rich Soviet military history, notably in Liepāja and Karosta. The Lithuanian route unveils the natural treasures of the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Klaipeda reveals a fascinating multicultural heritage, blending Prussian and Soviet influences.
Poland’s northern coastline, crossed by EuroVelo 13, offers a diverse range of landscapes, from bustling metropolises to tranquil coastal villages and the evocative remains of Gdansk’s shipyards. The German Border Trail, with its myriad of signposted routes, boasts the largest number of well-preserved memorials and remnants of the Iron Curtain. The Czech Republic offers unspoilt landscapes along the old military route, and invites cyclists to discover historic sites such as the Point Alpha memorial and the Mikulov Freedom Trail.
Austria, once a focal point for Allied forces and a land of neutrality, offers flat terrain for cycle touring along its EuroVelo 13 route. Hungary, nestled in the heart of Central Europe, reminds cyclists of the upheavals of the Cold War through its many memorials. Slovenia and Croatia, although less well known for their participation in the Iron Curtain, reveal enchanting landscapes and vestiges of this troubled era, notably with the many watchtowers.
Passing through Serbia’s impressive iron gates, cyclists witness the majestic power of the Danube, while Romania and Bulgaria offer journeys through vineyards and mountain ranges, revealing the many facets of Eastern Europe. Finally, Turkey, with its unique blend of cultures and history, ends the EuroVelo 13 odyssey in Edirne, an emblematic city of the Ottoman Empire, where the magnificent Selimiye Mosque bears witness to the past grandeur of this fascinating region.
When the route ends near the Turkish border, it’s with the feeling of having travelled a path rich in discovery and emotion, along EuroVelo 13.