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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Estonia
Tuhala Nature Centre and NõiakaevTuhala region has settlements of about 3000 years of age. There are 11 ancient settlement sites, 30 cult stones, 3 burial sites, 4 sacred groves, etc. Tuhala Landscape Reserve has a unique natural feature - the Nõiakaev (Witch´s Well) which “boils” up water during floods at 100 l/s, and 5 mightiest energy columns of the country. |
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Estonia
The Viidumäe ReserveThis 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.
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Estonia
Kidevas (Kiideva) putnu verosanas platformasPirmā ir uzcelta uz vienstāvīgā apmeklētāju centra jumta. No tās paveras plašs skats uz Kīdevas ciemu, ostu un niedrēm apaugušo Matsalu līča ziemeļdaļu. Austrumos no šīs atrodas vēl viena - divstāvīga putnu vērošanas platforma. No Kīdevas līdz Puisei gar Matsalu līča var doties pārgājienā pa 5 km garo dabas taku. To izejot, novēroto putnu sugu klāsts noteikti būs lielāks! |
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Estonia
The Karula National ParkThis park is in a region of hillocks in the Karula highlands, and Lake Ähijärve is at its centre. The park offers a cultural environment of small farms, and it was set up to protect the unique cupola-shaped hillocks of the area. Main attractions: Scenic Lake Ähijärv (176ha), Rebasemõisa Tornimägi hill (137.8 m above sea level), undulating landscapes. |
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Estonia
The blue streams of SaulaThree little lakes can be found on the left bank of the Pirita River with many erupting “eyes” of streams, each with its own colour (bluish-green, white, dark). This puts together various colour combinations. These are often known as the most beautiful streams in Estonia. Some pump out as much as 20-30 litres of water per hour. It is said that the waters are good medical resources, particularly for the eyes. There are improvements in the area of tourists.
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Estonia
The Haanja Nature ParkThis park was set up to protect the landscape and cultural environment of the Haanja highland. At the central part of the park are the two highest hills in the Baltic States – Suur Munamägi, which stands 318 m above sea level, and Vällamägi, which is 304 m above sea level. The ancient Rõuge River valley (Rõuge ürgorg) is found in the western part of the park. It is 7.5 km long and up to 60 m deep. The valley dates back to the Ice Age, and it has seven lakes, including the deepest one (38 m) in Estonia – Lake Rõuge Suurjärv.
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Estonia
Castle Hill OtepääVery 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. |
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Estonia
Viking villageA unique theme park on the River Pirita evokes interest in ancient Vikings. Facilities include: stronghold, chamber of spells, smithy, Viking boat and dugout canoe trips, shows and battles with ancient weapons, a catapult, archery, axe throwing, cave and smoke saunas, trout fishing, accommodation, catering etc. |
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Estonia
Ancient Ajha River valleyThis 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
LuitemaaIn 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
Jägala waterfallThis is one of the greatest waterfalls in the Baltic States – 8 m high and up to 70 m wide. It is most impressive in the spring and after strong rains. The waterfall and its ~300 m canyon emerged from the limestone of the Ordovician Period. You may spot some fossils there. When the water is low, courageous people try to ford the river both above and below the waterfall. The limestone and the falling water have established a unique “tunnel” there.
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Estonia
Pakri islandsThere 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
Keila waterfallThis is one of the loveliest waterfalls in Estonia – up to 6 m in height and 50 m in width. Recommended: The rapid Keila River has carved a cliffy canyon behind the waterfall, with a flow of water that falls down a major distance. It’s worth hiking through the Keila park to the shore of the Bay of Finland (~1 km), then returning along the other bank of the river.
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Estonia
Piirissaar islandThe 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. |
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Estonia
Halbinsel KäsmuEine von Nadelbaumwäldern bedeckte Halbinsel. Malerisches Käsmu Steinfeld, Matsikivi Stein, Vana Jüri Stein u.a. Bei passenden Bedingungen kann man sich auf einer steinernen Landzunge bis zur 0,5 km entfernt liegenden Insel Saartneem schleppen. |
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Estonia
KassariThe 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.
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Estonia
360° adventuresThe company runs wildlife tours: kayak trips at sea in summer, bogshoeing in bogs in autumn, snowshoeing trips in winter and canoeing on rivers in spring. |
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Estonia
The Lahemaa National ParkThis 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. |
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Estonia
NaisaarThis 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
Tartu-PiirissaareThis is a quick boat ride from Tartu down the Emajõgi River to Piirissaare Island in Lake Peipsi (Peipsi järv). Along the lower reaches of the river are major wetlands which are of enormous importance for birds.
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Estonia
Metsamoori (Woods Crone) Family ParkThis 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. |
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Estonia
Skatu platforma Puises ciemaPuises „centrā” uz vienstāvu koka mājiņas jumta izveidota skatu platforma. No tās paveras laba ainava uz ciemu, ostu un piekrastes kadiķu laukiem. |
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Estonia
Kap TahkunaDer weiteste Nordpunkt der Insel Hiiumaa. Der höchste Leuchtturm Estlands aus Roheisen (1873 – 1875) und das Denkmal zur Errinerung an die bei dem Unglück des Schiffes ‘Estonia” Umgekommenen. |
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Estonia
Paunas taka (Pauna rada)Kultūrvēsturiska taka (garums ~ 2 km) Tipu (Tipu) ciemā, kas iepazīstina ar vairākiem interesantiem objektiem: veco skolu (1931. g.), Hallistes upi, pirti un Paunas saimniecību, kurā dzimis viens no Igaunijas nacionālās kustības līderiem Villems Reimans (1861. – 1917.). |
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Estonia
LuitemaaThe 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
Naissaar islandNaissaar is a small island near Tallinn which was exclusively used by the Soviet military from 1945 to 1993. Attractions on the island include walking trails, varied habitats, a narrow-gauge railway, fortifications from the early 20th C, and a Soviet naval mines factory. |
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Estonia
Skizentrum OtepääDas größte im Baltikum. Marathonloipe von Tartu, Wand der künstlichen Felsen und Trasse der Radmarathon. Skimuseum. Auf der Tehvandi-Sprungschanze ist ein Aussischtsplatform eingerichtet. |
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Estonia
Kihnu islandCultural space of Kihnu (www.kultuuriruum.ee) is incorporated in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and is a quaint mix of old and modern. The local history museum displays tools, clothes, handicraft and furniture. |
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Estonia
Kap JumindaDer weiteste Nordpunkt der Juminda Halbinsel mit einer Raketen-Attrappe der Sowjetarmee, der alten Grabstätten, dem Juminda-Leuchtturm und einem Denkmal für die Opfern des Zweiten Weltkriegs. |
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Estonia
OsmussaarThis is a “peripheral” island in the Bay of Finland, 9 km from the Dirhami port. The special fact about this island is that it offers fields of juniper, a rocky and grassy seashore that is around 2 km long, and limestone cliffs that are a few metres high along the northern and the eastern shores of the island. These are designated with the words Osmussaare pank.
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