Having recently returned from KE’s Baltic Trails Adventure, I realised something important: adventure doesn’t always have to be strenuous. This adventure explores the very best of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with no high mountain ranges, mostly flat and gentle terrain and made perfect for those who enjoy exploring on foot without the challenge of steep ascents and technical trails. From peaceful pine forests and coastal boardwalks to quiet boglands and charming capital cities, the Baltics offer a surprising variety of culture and scenery – all at a wonderfully easy-going pace. For anyone looking for a slower-paced but deeply rewarding walking holiday, the Baltics Trails Adventure is a perfect choice. Here are some of my favourite walks along the way…

Walking from Varnikai Bog to Trakai Castle is a perfect example of how adventure doesn’t have to mean exhaustion. The route is long enough to feel like a journey, but the terrain remains gentle and mostly flat, making it accessible, and it definitely didn’t compromise on beauty! On our walk, we had beautiful sunny weather which gave the luxury of seeing how the light bounced through the trees and off the bog water when traversing through the forest. A series of wooden bird carvings marked the way to a powerful WWII memorial, commemorating Jewish partisans lost during the Nazi occupation - a quiet, reflective moment in the landscape. The walk ended with a dramatic arrival at Trakai Castle, a fairytale-like fortress perched on an island in Lake Galvė, where you’ll find people enjoying boating and paddleboarding. While the castle is one of Lithuania’s most iconic sights (and rightly so!), it’s the slow and scenic journey to get there that makes the experience truly special. Finishing with a traditional Lithuanian dish of kibinas - a warm, flaky pastry filled with meat or vegetables (a bit like our English Cornish Pasty) was the perfect way to round off a day of relaxed but rewarding walk.

The Curonian Spit offers a completely different landscape that's equally unforgettable. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Lithuania's five national parks – a breathtaking peninsula formed by the sea, wind and human activity. One of my highlights here was the Hill of Witches, where folklore comes alive through art. I found myself enchanted on the woodland trail that winds through the forest. Around 40-45 years ago, local artists carved wooden sculptures depicting Lithuanian myths, legends and folk tales directly into the landscape. Some are serious and ugly whilst others are quite comical, I found myself genuinely laughing at some of the comical figures. Some are even interactive - there's a seesaw and a seriously steep slide! The gentle pace through the forest and pausing to admire each sculpture and learn more about its story was wonderfully unhurried - exactly the kind of walking experience that lets you properly absorb a place rather than just tick it off a list.

Another 'hill' - and I say hill loosely because it's the smallest one I've ever climbed! - is the Hill of Crosses, located close to the city of Šiauliai in Lithuania. It's a pilgrimage site that got its name after Franciscans died as martyrs when pagans tied them to crosses and threw them down the hill. Since 1831, it has been a place for meditation and a symbol of national and religious identity. The Russians destroyed the site several times since its inception. There is a main monument, created by architect and sculptor A. Vivulskis in 1916, which was targeted by them, but this was rebuilt in 1988 and stands today at the foot of the hill. Wandering among hundreds of thousands of crosses of all sizes with its symbolism and history is a moving experience and the gentle pace of a walking holiday allows you the time to really absorb the atmosphere and history here. If you wanted, you could purchase a small wooden cross at the entrance, write on it and add it to the hill yourself.

The Three Castle Route through Latvia's Gauja National Park blends history, folklore and natural beauty into one memorable day, proving why leisurely walking holidays work so beautifully in the Baltics. The route wound through enchanting woodland, following the stunning Gauja River between significant historical landmarks. Turaida Castle at Sigulda is the spectacular centrepiece of the walk. Dating back to 1214 and built by the Livonian Sword Brotherhood, this beautifully reconstructed fortress served as the residence of the Archbishop of Riga from the 13th to the 16th century. The tower's spiral staircase leads to panoramic views over the forested landscape - the kind of earned reward that reminded me that even some stunning views don't require pushing yourself to your limits. This walk gave me the substance without strain: fascinating historical sites, captivating legends and breathtaking natural scenery. The Gauja National park is definitely a must when visiting Latvia!

One of the most rewarding walks of the trip came near the end, in Estonia’s tranquil Oandu Forest, a perfect setting for a slower-paced, restorative day on foot. The trail winds gently along a well-kept woodchip path before transitioning to narrow boardwalks that lead through quiet bogland from wild blueberry plants ripe for picking (and tasted delicious!) to mushrooms sprouting from the undergrowth. If you’re lucky, you might even meet a local forager happy to explain which are edible or “dog mushrooms,” a local term that means either poisonous or not good to eat. The forest is lush and peaceful with tiny toads hopping across the wetlands. With completely flat terrain and a short distance, it’s a calm and easy walk, and a gentle way to end the trip after a week of exploring!

We ended our trip with a city tour of Tallinn and a beautiful meal in the Old Town with views overlooking the rooftops. It was the perfect ending to the holiday! If you're looking to join a group of like-minded people and experience somewhere new without the intensity of high-altitude or technical trails, the Baltics Trails Adventure offer the perfect setting and explores 3 diverse and beautiful countries! The adventure is absolutely still there - in the folklore-filled forests, the moving historical sites and the ever-changing landscapes from coast to bog to woodland - it just comes without the strain. Whether it's your first group adventure, you're between bigger expeditions or you simply prefer your adventures historically and culturally rich, the Baltic Trails prove that slowing down doesn't mean missing out.