E9 section 73: Dreverna – Klaipėda

E9 Section 73: Dreverna – Klaipėda is a 27-km point-to-point trail in Lithuania, tracing the eastern shore of the Curonian Lagoon from the peaceful fishing village of Dreverna to the Baltic port city of Klaipėda. Gaining fewer than 40 m of elevation across entirely flat terrain, this easy-to-moderate route combines 19th-century heritage canal towpaths, reed-fringed lagoon shores, and a dramatic finish at Lithuania's busiest harbour city.

About the E9 Section 73: Dreverna – Klaipėda

E9 Section 73 is the concluding leg of the Lithuanian stretch of the E9 European long-distance walking route, a coast-hugging path that extends more than 5,000 km from Portugal's Cape St Vincent to Narva on the Estonian–Russian border. In Lithuania alone, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route covers 216 km across 73 numbered day stages. Section 73 is the grand finale: 27 km that sweeps from a quiet lagoon-side village into the urban heartbeat of Klaipėda, Lithuania's third-largest city and its only seaport.

The trail character shifts noticeably as you walk north. The first 14 km are unhurried and rural: you leave Dreverna's wooden fishermen's houses behind, cross three waterways in quick succession — the Dreverna River, the Klišupė River, and the King Wilhelm Canal — and then settle into a long, tranquil passage along the canal's eastern bank. The path is a shaded gravel and dirt towpath hemmed by mature oaks and alders, punctuated by rest shelters and information panels in both Lithuanian and English. Birdlife is exceptional: grey herons stalk the margins, marsh harriers quarter the reedbed, and in spring the chorus of reed warblers is relentless.

Around the 14-km mark the trail transitions to suburban Klaipėda and briefly joins cycle-friendly streets before entering the city's historic Old Town, a compact grid of half-timbered buildings and cobblestone lanes bearing the unmistakable mark of its Prussian past. The finish at the Dane River quayside — where tall ships once loaded amber for German markets — makes an atmospheric end to not just this section but the entire Lithuanian coastal walk.

As part of the International Walking Network (IWN), E9 Section 73 is waymarked with the standard yellow-on-white E-path markers supplemented by the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route's own distinctive signage. The route is almost entirely flat, with cumulative elevation gain under 40 m, making it accessible to hikers of all fitness levels who are comfortable covering 27 km in a single day. Most walkers complete it in seven to nine hours including rest stops.

Route Overview & Stages

The route runs broadly north-northwest from Dreverna (elevation ~3 m) to Klaipėda (elevation ~5 m at city centre). There is no significant climbing anywhere along the route. The four natural stages below reflect changes in terrain and character rather than any official waypoint system.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• J. Gižas Ethnographic Homestead, Dreverna — An open-air folk museum at the trail's southern starting point preserving traditional Lithuanian fishermen's homes, nets, and wooden boats typical of Curonian Lagoon culture. The homestead also serves as the official tourist information point for Section 73.
• King Wilhelm Canal — Dug between 1863 and 1874 under Prussian administration, this 33-km waterway was named in honour of Emperor Wilhelm I and served as a vital commercial shipping lane linking Memel (now Klaipėda) to the agricultural hinterland. The 9-km towpath section along its eastern bank is the trail's scenic centrepiece.
• Curonian Lagoon Shoreline — The world's largest coastal lagoon by some measures covers 1,584 km², and from the trail you share its still eastern margin with egrets, cormorants, and migratory ducks. At dawn the water surface can resemble polished pewter.
• Dreverna River Mouth — A low wooden bridge marks the crossing at Dreverna's river mouth, where local fishermen still use traditional eel traps. Stop for a few minutes before continuing — it is one of the most authentically unchanged scenes on the entire Lithuanian E9.
• Ančia Floodplain Nature Area — In the mid-section of the canal towpath the Ančia River briefly widens into a shallow floodplain. Spring floods attract feeding white storks and lapwings in large numbers; even in summer the area holds herons and kingfishers.
• Klaipėda Castle Museum — Ruins of a 13th-century Teutonic Order fortress near the Dane River mouth. You pass within 200 m of the excavated ramparts on the final urban stretch; the small attached museum charges €3–5 and is worth a 30-minute stop.
• Old Town Klaipėda (Memel) — A compact neighbourhood of German-influenced half-timbered Fachwerk buildings, many carefully restored after World War II damage. Theatre Square and the adjacent café lanes are the natural end-of-hike reward.
• Dane River Quay — The finish line for Section 73 and also the embarkation point for ferries to the Curonian Spit. The quayside at evening is one of the most atmospheric spots on the eastern Baltic coast, lined with moored sailing vessels and the unmistakable smell of sea salt.

Best Time to Hike the E9 Section 73: Dreverna – Klaipėda

The trail is walkable from April through October, with each month offering a distinctly different character.

April–May: The canal towpath blooms with wildflowers and birdlife is at peak activity. Temperatures sit between 8°C and 16°C. The ground can be muddy after spring rains, particularly in the lower Ančia floodplain section, so waterproof footwear is worth bringing. Daylight extends to nearly 18 hours by late May, removing any time pressure on a long day stage.

June–August: The warmest and most popular period. Temperatures reach 20–25°C and the lagoon surface sparkles. Mosquitoes — particularly active in the reed-fringed stretches — are most numerous from late June to early August; carry repellent. The trail sees its highest foot traffic in July, though it never feels crowded. As of 2026, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route authority classifies Section 73 as suitable for all experience levels during summer conditions.

September: The single best month to hike E9 Section 73. Crowds thin dramatically after the first week of the month, temperatures ease to a comfortable 14–18°C, autumn colour begins on the oak avenue along the canal, and mosquitoes are largely absent. Klaipėda's Sea Festival is over, meaning accommodation is plentiful and more affordable than the July peak.

October: Moody and atmospheric. Rain becomes more frequent, the lagoon turns a deep slate-grey, and some rural accommodation closes for the season. Autumn colour on the canal towpath peaks in mid-October. Bring full waterproof layers and account for a shorter daylight window of around 11 hours.

November–March: Not recommended. The towpath becomes waterlogged, some bridge approaches may flood, and transport links to Dreverna operate on a reduced winter schedule with the single daily bus sometimes suspended.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Services between Dreverna and Klaipėda are minimal. There are no guesthouses or formal camping sites mid-route, so most hikers treat Section 73 as a single long day stage, overnighting in Dreverna the evening before and sleeping in Klaipėda at the end.

In Dreverna (for those arriving the night before): the village has small guesthouses — check klaipedatravel.lt for current listings. Expect to pay €25–40 per person per night for a double room. The J. Gižas Ethnographic Homestead can advise on local options.

In Klaipėda (end of section):

• Klaipėda Hostel — dorm beds from €15/night; phone +370 655 94407; backpacker-friendly and centrally located
• Guest House Kubu — doubles from €45/night; handy for the Old Town and the bus station
• Simon Dach House — boutique guesthouse in a restored Fachwerk building; doubles from €70/night
• Hotel Amberton Klaipėda — business hotel with lagoon views from upper floors; doubles from €90/night
• Hotel Old Mill — upscale property in a converted 19th-century mill building; doubles from €110/night

Rest shelters with fireplaces are positioned at several points along the canal towpath and are suitable for a picnic break but not overnight use. Wild camping on public land is not explicitly prohibited in Lithuania but there are no facilities between the two towns.

Getting There & Back

Getting to Dreverna (trailhead):

• By bus: One bus per day on weekdays runs between Klaipėda central bus station and Dreverna (check trafi.com/lt/klaipeda for current timetables and seasonal changes). Journey time is approximately 45 minutes.
• By taxi or rideshare: A taxi from Klaipėda to Dreverna costs approximately €20–30. Bolt operates in Klaipėda and is the most reliable option.
• By car: Dreverna is 27 km south of Klaipėda city centre via the A13 road. Parking is available near the village centre near the ethnographic homestead.

Nearest airports: Palanga Airport (PLQ) sits 27 km north of Klaipėda and is served by Wizz Air and Ryanair from several European hubs. Kaunas Airport (KUN), 200 km south-east, handles more international routes; a bus from Kaunas to Klaipėda takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs around €8–12.

Getting back from Klaipėda: Klaipėda has direct bus connections to Vilnius (4 hours, ~€12), Riga (3.5 hours, ~€15), and Tallinn (6 hours, ~€25). Urban buses and taxis connect the Old Town to the main bus station 1.5 km away.

Alternative access via ferry: A seasonal ferry operates from Dreverna to Juodkrantė on the Curonian Spit (schedules at dreverna.lt/en/ferry). This is unrelated to the E9 route itself but opens up multi-day exploration of the Spit from the same base.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike E9 Section 73. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route runs entirely on public land, maintained waymarked paths, and local roads. There is no trail registration fee. Entry to Klaipėda Castle Museum costs approximately €3–5. The J. Gižas Ethnographic Homestead in Dreverna is free of charge or requests a small voluntary donation. Bring cash from Klaipėda before you start — the nearest ATM is in Klaipėda city itself; there are no cash machines in Dreverna or along the route.

Gear & Packing List

E9 Section 73 is flat and well-maintained, making it one of the more accessible long-day routes in the Baltic region. You do not need technical mountain gear, but 27 km demands a properly fitted pack with good load distribution and a suspension system that stays comfortable through hour seven.

Footwear: Trail runners or light hiking shoes are sufficient for summer conditions. In spring or autumn, waterproof footwear is strongly recommended for the muddy canal sections and the Ančia floodplain area. Gaiters are overkill but ankle support helps on the uneven towpath edges.

Clothing: A windproof layer is essential — the Curonian Lagoon generates its own microclimate and exposed sections on the canal bank can be breezy even in July. Insect repellent is non-negotiable from June through August. Before departure, plan your food carefully: see our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day to estimate fuel for a 27-km stage in Baltic summer heat.

Pack selection: For a day hike carrying 4–6 kg of gear, food, and water, a 20–35 litre pack is ideal. The Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 is a Scandinavian trail favourite purpose-built for the kind of damp, mixed-terrain walking this section delivers, with a rain cover included and a frame that stays comfortable across long flat distances. If you are continuing through multiple E9 sections and need overnight capacity, the Osprey Aether 65 provides proven multi-day volume with an excellent suspension system. Ultralight hikers completing the full Baltic crossing often carry the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L for its exceptional weight-to-capacity ratio across long-distance stages.

For a full breakdown of pack options across weight classes, see our Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 roundup.

Other essentials: Carry at least 2 litres of water capacity — there are no reliable water sources between Dreverna and Klaipėda. Pack sun protection for the exposed lagoon-side stretches. Download an offline copy of the route map before leaving as mobile signal can be patchy in the mid-canal section.

Similar Trails You Might Like

E9 Section 73 is a genuinely one-of-a-kind stage — a flat coastal heritage walk with no direct equivalent elsewhere in northern Europe. If the appeal lies in point-to-point routes that move between two distinct worlds in a single day, the mountain counterpart is the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania: where Section 73 uses a 19th-century Prussian canal as its spine, Theth–Valbona uses a high Albanian alpine pass. Both routes share the same satisfying logic — commit to one direction, trust the waymarks, arrive somewhere completely different. For those building a longer Baltic itinerary, the adjacent Curonian Spit sections of the E9, crossing vast dune fields between Nida and Smiltynė, are the natural companions to Section 73.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to hike E9 Section 73: Dreverna – Klaipėda?

September is the optimal month. Temperatures are comfortable at 14–18°C, mosquitoes are largely absent, the oak avenue on the canal towpath shows early autumn colour, and accommodation in Klaipėda is easier to book and noticeably cheaper than during the July peak. The trail is accessible April through October, but spring brings muddy conditions and summer brings insects in the reed-bed sections of the mid-route canal.

How difficult is the Dreverna to Klaipėda route?

The trail is rated easy to moderate. The terrain is almost entirely flat — cumulative elevation gain is under 40 m across all 27 km — and the path surface alternates between gravel towpath, packed earth, and urban pavement. The primary challenge is the daily distance itself: 27 km is a long day for anyone not accustomed to full-day walking stages. Budget seven to nine hours of total walking time, including rest stops at the canal shelters.

How many kilometres should I plan to walk per day on this section?

Section 73 is structured as a single one-day stage of 27 km. Most hikers with a moderate fitness level complete it comfortably in one day without any particular urgency. There are no guesthouses or formal camping options mid-route, which reinforces the single-day format. If you want to break it up, arranging an early taxi drop at the midpoint — roughly the Kairių Street junction — leaves approximately 13 km for the second half into Klaipėda.

Where can I sleep along the trail?

There is no commercial accommodation between Dreverna and Klaipėda. Rest shelters with fireplaces on the canal towpath are suitable for breaks but not overnight use. In Dreverna, small village guesthouses charge €25–40 per night — the ethnographic homestead can advise on options. In Klaipėda, choices range from the Klaipėda Hostel (from €15/night dorm) through Guest House Kubu (from €45) to boutique options like Simon Dach House (from €70). Book Klaipėda accommodation well in advance during July and August.

Do I need a permit to hike E9 Section 73?

No permit is required. The entire route crosses public land and officially maintained hiking paths. There is no trail fee or registration system for the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route. The only paid attraction on or near the route is Klaipėda Castle Museum, which charges approximately €3–5 for entry. There are no ATMs between Dreverna and Klaipėda, so withdraw cash in Klaipėda before travelling to the trailhead if you plan to use any paid services in the village.