Nature objects in Estonia

What's special about the nature in Estonia?

In Estonia, there stands the most impressive rock wall in the Baltics - the so called North Estonian "glint" (from Estonian language). Estonia has its own "Land of Inlets" - the Lahemaa region with its national park, the "Land of Islands" - the Saaremaa island and the Monzund archipelago. The Matsalu bay is one of the most significant rest stops for birds during their migration. In Estonia there is one of the most prominent impact craters in Europe, there are the greatest waterfalls and boulders in the Baltics, the Munamagi hill - the highest spot in the Baltics, the Lake Peipus - the 5th largest lake in Europe, - with long-standing fishing traditions, and the great variety of nature from West to East, from North to South.

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Overview Details
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Estonia

The Soomaa National Park

The word “Soomaa” means “land of the swamps” in Estonian. There are several major swamps in this area, along with rivers, lowland meadows, wetland forests, and other biotopes that are of key importance in terms of the diversity of species. Major floods occur here in the spring, which is known by locals as the “fifth season''. The fifth season is the best time to explore the landscape of Soomaa.

National park Distance from countries capital city150 Active season months1-12
FishingCross-country skiingBoat tourNature trailNature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Lahemaa Hiking Centre

The Centre promotes sustainable lifestyle and the great outdoors, there you can plant trees and make and install nest boxes. Canoeing, bog walks, bow and crossbow shooting ranges are available for the more adventurous. There is a log house for functions and accommodation and a sauna with a hot tub.

Distance from countries capital city70 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

Trips aboard kaleships

Kale is a traditional wooden sailing ship for trawling nets on Lake Võrtsjärv, but its graceful appearance with two triangular sails often inspired pleasure trips too. Võrtsjärve Foundation supported the building of the ship Paula, completed in 2005 and Liisu in 2009. Trips aboard a kaleship are a genuinely memorable experience.
When booked in advance a sailing trip may include eating fish soup and freshly smoked fish.

Distance from countries capital city181 Active season months5-9
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Estonia

Tihuse Riding Farm heritage trail

Tihuse farm provides accommodation and horse riding from trekking to carriage rides. A signposted heritage trail starts at the farm and tells the story of people and Nature; you can also learn about old beliefs and customs. The teahouse exhibits photos of places linked to Muhu island’s heritage.

Distance from countries capital city148 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

Meenikunno swamp

This is a highland swamp with several little lakes. At the SE of the area is a wooden trail.
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Estonia

Piirissaar island

The island of 7.5 km2 in Lake Peipsi is largely inhabited by Russian-speaking Old Believers who have broadly retained their old traditions through time. Traditional trades are fishing and growing vegetables, mainly onion.
The entire island is a landscape protection area with a high number of protected bird and amphibian species and several rare plants.

Distance from countries capital city262 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

Domberg Tartu

Vom 19. Jh. ist der Domberg ein offentlicher Park mit Pfaden, Gehwegen, Brücken (Engelsbrücke, Teufelsbrücke) und den Denkmälern für die Wissenschaftler der Tartu Universität. Hier befinden sich die Domkirche, das Anatomicum, das Observatorium u.a. interessante Objekte.

Distance from countries capital city185
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Estonia

Aegna Island

This is an entirely forested island in the Bay of Finland, ~14 km from Tallinn. A network of small pathways covers the entire island. Recommended hike along the seashore of the island, which will offer dunes, as well as a coastline that is sandy in some parts, rocky in others, and covered with reeds in still others (~9 km). A ferry boat will take you to the island from the Pirita port.
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Estonia

The Lahemaa National Park

This is the first national park in Estonia and the Baltic States. Perfect for a day trip out from Tallinn for a hiking trip and nature watching. It was established in 1971 to protect the area that is along the Bay of Finland – the shoreline, forests, swamps, meadow biotopes, species, natural monuments, rocks, waterfalls, cliffs and cultural monuments such as ancient cemeteries, castle hills, baronial estates, fishing villages, etc.

National park Distance from countries capital city50
Cross-country skiingBicycle trailNature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Harilaidas pussala (Harilaid)

Sāmsalas ziemeļrietumu daļā jūrā iestiepjas iespaidīgā Tagameizas pussala (Tagamõisa poolsaar). Tās ziemeļrietumu daļā meklējama mazāka – ap 5 km garā Harilaidas pussala (Harilaid). Pussalas vidusdaļā viļņojas Lajalepas ezers (Laialepa järv) - bijušais jūras līcis, kas zemes garozai ceļoties, kļuvis par iekšēju ūdenstilpi. Arī pati Harilaida (igauniski „laid” nozīmē „saliņa”) vairāk nekā trīs gadsimtus atpakaļ bijusi sala. Harilaidu iecienījuši ne tikai migrējošie putni, bet arī roņi, kurus piesaista vientuļi līči un akmeņainās sēres. Harilaidu var apmeklēt tikai ar kājām vai ar divriteni, bet spēkrati ir jāatstāj autostāvlaukumā. No tā ~ 1 km attālumā atrodas vieta, kur pēc 17. gs. radies Harilaidas savienojums ar Sāmsalu. Šeit paveras nepierasti klaja un akmeņaina ainava. Pārējā Harilaidas daļa ir apmežota pirms ~ 40 gadiem. Kopumā būs jāveic ~ 10 km garš pārgājiens.

Distance from countries capital city273
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Estonia

The Viidumäe Reserve

This reserve dates back to Lake Ancilus, which was one of the original elements of what is now the Baltic Sea. The lake’s ancient shores feature wetlands, forests and flora which are all protected by the reserve.
Strict nature reserve Distance from countries capital city244
Nature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Ancient Ajha River valley

This ancient river valley stretches from Koorvere to the Otteni Windmill, and there are nearly 40 revealed sandstone cliffs from the Devonian age. Two of them, Väike and Suur Taevaskoja (the latter is 22 m high) are popular tourist destinations.
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Estonia

Risas purva taka (Riisa rabarada)

Izcila lokveida taka (4,5 km), kuras lielākā daļa (koka laipas) ved pa Rīsas purvu (Riisa raba). No takas un divstāvīgā koka skatu torņa ir vērojami purva ezeriņi, lāmas, un purvaini meži. Ja nacionālā parka apskati sāk no ziemeļu puses, tad šī taka ir labs ceļojuma iesākums!

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Estonia

Metsamoori (Woods Crone) Family Park

This park is a network of farms in Kaika area where visitors can learn about healthy life styles and alternative medicine. Farms have programmes on using herbs and leech in therapies, on the magical worlds of bees and mushrooms, spells and meditation. In workshops you can learn to use weeds in cooking, make bread and herbal drugs. Individual travellers are welcome to explore the farm on their own.

Distance from countries capital city275 Active season months5-9
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Estonia

The Matsalu National Park

This is one of the most popular bird-watching locations in Estonia, and during spring and autumn migration there are a great many different kinds of birds resting and feeding in the meadows and shallow coastal waters of the Bay of Matsalu and the Kasari River.
National park Active season months1-12
Boat tourNature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Tuhala Karst area, Witch’s well

One of the largest karst areas in Estonia is found here. The unique Witch’s well is one of the most interesting parts of this area. During spring floods (not every year, and for only a short period of time), the well erupts with underground river waters to create an unusually powerful karst stream that can pump out as much as 100 litres per hour.
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Estonia

Rebases ainavu taka (Rebäse maastikurada)

Ap 7 km garš lokveida pārgājienu maršruts (marķēts), kas ved pa dažādiem biotopiem – mežiem, mitrājiem un pļavām, mezdams līkumus pa stāvo pauguru nogāzēm. Takas malās ir izvietoti informācijas stendi un norādes. Rebases ainavu taka ir domāta tiem, kurus nebaida garāka iešana un orientēšanās pa ļoti dabisku un mazapdzīvotu apvidu.

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Estonia

Stein Tammispea

Die Größe dieses Feldsteins ist eindrucksvoll, obwohl er nach dem Volumen (262 m3) nur der 16. größte Feldstein Estlands ist. Die Länge beträgt 10,7 m, Breite – 6,5 m, Umfang – 27,8 m.

Distance from countries capital city70
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Estonia

Castle Hill Otepää

Very expressive form of relief with wide look over the neighborhood. On its peak there's ruins of the castle of bishop Hermanis which was built in 1224. The world's oldest firearm was found here.

Distance from countries capital city225
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Estonia

Turisalu cliff

This cliff is made of sandstone (its lower part) and limestone (the upper part). It is up to 30 m high, and it is part of the Northern Estonian set of cliffs along the shore of the Bay of Finland. This is a popular tourism destination and viewing location. Recommended Hike along the bottom of the cliff (a rocky beach) in one direction, and then along the top of the cliff to get back (~2 km). From the top of the cliff, you can see a broad segment of the shoreline territory, all the way to Tallinn.
Distance from countries capital city30
Nature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Rannaje putnu verosanas tornis (Rannajõe linnutorn)

Divstāvīgs skatu tornis pie Laikjula (Laiküla) – Hāpsalu ceļa, no kuras paveras plaša ainava uz Matsalu līcī ietekošo upīšu palieņu pļavām. Te var vērot migrējošās dzērves un zosis, bet pavasaros varbūt laimēsies redzēt vai dzirdēt ķikutu Gallinago media. Viens no retajiem torņiem, kas ir pielāgots cilvēkiem ar īpašām vajadzībām.

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Estonia

The Endla Reserve

This reserve was set up to protect local swamps and surrounding wetlands. Please note that before you can visit the reserve, you must register with the local administration and visitor centre in the village of Tooma.
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Estonia

Stein Majakivi

Der dritgrößte Feldstein im Baltikum (584 m3, 7 m hoch, Durchmesser bei dem Grund – 32 m ). Auf estnisch bedeutet „Hausstein”. Befindet sich am Rande des Pikanõmme – Majakivi Pfades (4,5 km lang).

Distance from countries capital city60
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Estonia

Koiva heritage culture trail

The 60 km cross-border cycling trail along the Koiva/Gauja River in Estonia and Latvia was completed in 2010. The trail begins at Tellingumäe car park, start and finish points of the trail and the border crossing site are supplied with resting areas and information boards with maps. Signposts are located at crossroads where there may be confusion for cyclists; attractions near the main route are also signposted. Information boards are provided in Estonian, Latvian and English. Tellingumäe car park is also a starting point for an 18-km cycling route.

Distance from countries capital city267 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

Ehijervs (Ähijärv)

Karulas nacionālā parka lielākais ezers - 2,8 km garš, līdz 1 km plats. Ezera ziemeļaustrumu krastā atrodas parka apmeklētāju centrs. 5,5 m dziļais ezers ir gan zivīm, gan nostāstiem bagāta vieta. Ezera un tuvākās apkārtnes iepazīšanas nolūkā ir izveidota 3,5 km garā Ehijerva taka (Ähijärve teerada). Tās sākums atrodas pie iepriekš minētā apmeklētāju centra, kur izveidota atpūtas vieta un atraktīvs bērnu spēļu laukums. Taka sākumā ved gar ezera krastu, nelieliem mitrājiem un meža ceļiem, kas izmantoti iepriekšējos gadsimtos.

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Estonia

The Ilumetsa meteor craters

There are three craters here, and the biggest one, known locally as Põrguhaud, or Grave of Hell, has a diameter of 80 m and a depth of up to 12 m. There are barriers around the crater that are several metres high. The other two craters are hard to spot. The craters around 6,000 years old. No scraps of the supposed meteorite have been found, however, and so the origins of the craters cannot be confirmed with certainty.
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Estonia

Eldas klints (Elda pank) un pussala

Nacionālā parka dienvidrietumdaļā jūrā iestiepjas Eldas pussala – skaists un ļoti  omaļš ar kadiķu mežu (alvāriem) noaudzis zemes pleķītis ar interesantu jūras krastu, kur atsedzas silūra perioda nogulumieži. No pussalas gala, kurā slejas vecs Padomju armijas robežsargu tornis (apmeklējumam bīstams!), paveras visaptverošs skats uz Vilsandi salu (atpazīstama pēc bākas), Lonalaidas salu (Loonalaid) – otru lielāko Vilsandi arhipelāgā, Salavu (Salava) un citām mazākām saliņām. Dabas mīļotāji var uzmeklēt Eldas klinti (Elda pank) – ~ 2 m augstu un 0,4 km garu atsegumu, kura piekājē var atrast interesantas ūdens izskalotas fosilijas.

Distance from countries capital city261
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Estonia

Reimann Retked

The company runs wildlife tours: rafting in early spring, kayaking in summer (with beaver watching upon request), bog and snowshoeing round the year, kick-sledging in winter. Our experienced guides tell exciting stories of wildlife and history.

Distance from countries capital city34 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

Felsen Pakri

Die mächtigste Steilküste im Baltikum (bis zu 24 m hoch). In den kalten Winter werden hier phantastische Gletscherstürze entstanden. Pakri Leuchtturm.

Distance from countries capital city50
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Estonia

Gas mixture

Gas mixture is the main raw material for Estonia’s energy and chemical industries, and it is extracted in our day from open quarries or underground shafts. This layer was established during the Ordovician Period between 450 and 480 million years ago, and it is made up of the remnants of plants and animals from that age. In the Kohtla-Nõmme suburb, there is a shaft which can be toured in the company of a guide who will tell you that this is the only layer of its kind in the Baltic States. He will tell you about how the gas mixture has been extracted over the course of history.