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

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

The Vooremaa field of drumlins

This is the most visually impressive drumlin field in the Baltic States, and it is close to the village of Tabivere. The drumlins were established by ice glaciers, and they point in the direction in which the ice moved long ago. In terms of their appearance, the drumlins resemble loaf-shaped hillocks. From their “backs,” there are lovely views of the local landscape and the lakes that are around the area. The visitor centre is in the village of Äksi.
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Estonia

Pakri peninsula

At the end of the Pakri peninsula is the most visually impressive shoreline cliff in the Baltic States – the Pakri cliff (Pakri pank), which is as much as 24 metres high. During cold winters, streams which flow from the layers of limestone cliffs form fantastic and unusual shapes of ice.
Distance from countries capital city53
Nature trail
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Estonia

Halbinsel Pärispea

Auf der Küste der Halbinsel befinden sich sowohl ehemalige Fischerdörfer, als auch die Reste eines Militärstützpunkts der Sowjetarmee. Großartige von den Gletschern des Eiszeitalters eingebrachte Feldsteine.

Distance from countries capital city74
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Estonia

The Letipea Ehalkivi rock

This is the largest rock in the Baltic States and, according to some sources, in all of the segment of Northern Europe which was affected by the last Ice Age. Its size is 930 m3! The rock is 7.5 m high, 16.5 m long and 14 m high, with a circumference of 48.5 m. The rock resembles a huge pebble from a distance, and it is on the sandy and rocky beach. Depending on the season, it can be out in the water. The Ice Age carried the rock to its current location from the southern shore of Finland. It is made of pegmatite.
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Estonia

Kuranidu macibu taka (Kuuraniidu õpperada)

1,7 km gara lokveida taka, kas iepazīstina ar dažādiem meža biotopiem, to iemītniekiem un meža apsaimniekošanas pamatprincipiem. Apmeklētāju ērtības nolūkā ir izveidotas koka laipas un neliels skatu tornis.

Distance from countries capital city159
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Estonia

Kassari

The Kassari Island is the fifth largest Estonian island, and it is found to the South of the Hiiumaa Island. There are two dams between the two islands, and a road for motor vehicles has been installed atop them.
Distance from countries capital city150
Bicycle trailNature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Joaveski udenskritumi (Joaveski joastik)

Krāčains Lobu upes (Loobu jõgi) posms pie Joaveski ciema, kur ~ 160 m garumā upes gultnē, tai šķērsojot Ziemeļigaunijas glintu, izveidojušās izmēros nelielas, tomēr ļoti ainaviskas un skaistas 0,5 – 1 m augstas ūdenskritumu kaskādes. 1898. g. šeit uzcēla hidroelektrostaciju, kuras atliekas ir redzamas upes labajā krastā. Iecienīta pavasara laivotāju treniņu vieta.

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Estonia

Erdi taka (Öördi rada)

1,2 km gara taka, kas pa purvainu mežu aizved līdz Ērdi purvam (Öördi raba) un tā austrumu daļā esošajam Ērdi ezeram (Öördi järv), pie kura izveidota atpūtas un peldvieta.

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Estonia

Luitemaa

In Estonian, Luitemaa means ‘the land of dunes’. It is the seashore territory of the Gulf of Pärnu, 13 km between Vöiste and Häädemeeste with shallow waters, vast coastal meadows, the highest dune range in Estonia and the Tolkuse Mire (Tolkuse raba). The Tolkuse mire trail (~2.2 km) and watching tower are available for dune and mire sightseeing tours. Situated in Luitemaa Nature Reserve.

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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

Naisaar

This is a forested island in the Bay of Finland which is the 6th largest Estonian island and is found 14 km to the N of Tallinn. Two decades ago it was a closed zone, because the Soviet Union had a highly secretive manufacturing plant for maritime mines here.
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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

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

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

Vilsandi sala (Vilsandi saar)

Vilsandi nacionālā parka „sirds” un divpadsmitā lielākā Igaunijas sala (garums - 6 km, platums – 2 km). Tā ir ļoti „jauna” sala, kas sākusi veidoties pirms ~ 2000 gadiem zemes garozas celšanās rezultātā, savienojoties divām salām, kas noticis pirms ~ 350 gadiem. Cilvēki salu sāka apdzīvot 18. gs. un to galvenā nodarbe bija zvejniecība, kuģu būve, nelielā apjomā – lauksaimniecība. Līdz 2. pasaules karam te bija ap 200 iedzīvotāju, kuri vēlāk salu bija spiesti pamest PRSR pierobežas režīma zonas dēļ. Nozīmīgu Vilsandi daļu aizņem mežs un kadiķu lauki. To visā garumā šķērso grantēts - zemes ceļš ar atzariem uz jūras krastu. Salu ar kājām var izstaigāt vairāku stundu laikā, iepazīstot vietējo apbūvi (daļa arī mūsdienās celtas ēkas) un Tolli sētu, kur pēc nostāstiem dzīvojis nīderlandiešu jūras braucējs Johans Dolls, kā arī vējdzirnavas. Noteikti ir jāaiziet līdz salas rietumu krastam, kur atrodas Vilsandi bāka un bākas uzrauga saimniecības ēkas. No šejienes ir labi redzamas Vaikas salas. Šodien uz salas pastāvīgi (visa gada garumā) dzīvo tikai trīs cilvēki.

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Estonia

Luitemaa

The word “Luitemaa” means “land of the dunes” in Estoninan. This coastline territory stretches for 13 km between Vöiste and Häädemeste with shallow waters, large coastal plains, Estonia’s highest dunes, and the Tokuse swamp (Tokuse raba). There are lots of birds here.
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Estonia

Pakri islands

There are two islands here – Suur Pakri (Great Pakri) and Väike Pakri (Small Pakri). They are 3 km to the West of Paldiski. During Soviet times, the islands were used for target practice by the Soviet air force, which is seen in the many craters and spent munitions that can be found on the island even today. The island is mostly covered with scrappy areas of juniper, but the limestone cliffs at the northern and north-eastern end of the island are quite impressive – as much as 6 m in height.
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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

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

Penije tornis (Penijõe torn)

Lai nokļūtu līdz šim tornim, ir jāveic apmēram 20 – 30 min ilgs pārgājiens pa dabas taku no Penijē muižas gar Penijegi (Penijõgi) kreiso krastu. Te redzami bebru darbi un to celtās zaru mājas. No torņa paveras skats uz Kazari deltu, kas dabā izpaužas kā monolīts un nepārskatāms niedrājs. To vairākās daļās sadala Kazari un mazāka izmēra upītes. Katrai deltas daļai ir savs vēsturiskais nosaukums: no torņa pa kreisi no Penijegi redzama Lihula meri (Lihulas „jūra”), bet tās labajā pusē - Kloostri meri (Klostri „jūra”). Putnu vērotāji var iziet garāku (7 km) dabas takas loku, kas ved pa palieņu pļavām. Jārēķinās, ka pavasaros būs nepieciešami piemēroti apavi! Pļavas ierobežotās platībās apsaimnieko mājdzīvnieki, tādēļ neaizmirstiet aizvērt vārtiņus aiz sevis un netraucējiet to ikdienas gaitas! No maršruta nav atļauts novirzīties, lai netraucētu putnus.

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Estonia

Kemu skatu tornis (Keemu vaatetorn)

Meklējams Matsalu līča dienvidu krastā pie Kēmu ostas (Keemu sadam). Blakus sešus metrus augstajam metāla – koka tornim uzcelts neliels apmeklētāju centrs. Tāpat kā no Haeskas torņa, arī no šī paveras viena no izcilākajām Matsalu līča un tā piekrastes ainavām. Laba putnu vērošanas vieta migrāciju laikā.

Distance from countries capital city129
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Estonia

The Otepää Nature Park

This park is found in the Otepää highlands and offers an outstanding example of how the terrain of a protected natural territory can be used for recreation, sports and active leisure. The infrastructure of the park is perfect for such activities and is of a high level of quality.
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Estonia

Kaali meteorite craters

This is actually a group of nine craters, and some of them are as much as 100 m in diameter and 16 m in depth. This is the most visually expressive meteorite crater in the Baltic States and, indeed, in all of Europe. Remnants of the meteorite – some 2.5 kg in all – yielded iron and nickel. It is thought that this pan-Baltic natural catastrophe occurred 2,600 to 4,000 years ago.

Kaali Visitor Centre comprises the meteoritics and limestone museum, a conference hall and a hotel.The museum exhibits genuine meteorite pieces amongst other items. The hotel has all modern conveniences, tasty food is provided at Kaali Tavern nearby.

Distance from countries capital city204 Active season months1-12
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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.
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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

Ignatsi pargajienu taka (Ignatsi matkarada)

Taka iesākumā ved pa mežu ieskautu bijušo šaursliežu dzelzceļa līniju, pa kuru pagājušā gadsimta vidū izveda kokmateriālus. Tās tālākā daļa izmet nelielu loku pa Suistna purvu (Suistna raba), kur uzcelts skatu tornis ar izcilu sūnu purva ainavu ar nelieliem ezeriņiem. Takas garums vienā virzienā ir 4,5 km.

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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

Oksas (Oksa) taka

Bijušā piecstāvīgā metāla skatu torņa apkaimē plešas Lemmjegi upes palieņu pļavas. Netālu atrodas kādreizējā Oksas kroga (Oksa kõrts) vieta, kur saglabājies iespaidīgs manteļskurstenis. Apkaimes apskatei izveidota 0,8 km gara koka laipu taka.

Distance from countries capital city175
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Estonia

The Vilsandi National Park

The national park was established to protect the 100 or so small islands that make up the archipelago of the local area. The largest island, the Vilsandi Island, is 6 km long and up to 2 km wide. You can rent a boat to get there, or, during appropriate conditions, you can walk across the sea and the small islands from the southern end of the Kuusnõmme peninsula.
National park Distance from countries capital city255
Boat tourNature trailNature watching