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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	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. Services Services - recreational Nature watching
	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. 50 Services 50km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Cross-country skiing For cross-country skiers, the Käsmu peninsula is perfect during the season. Bicycle trail For bikers, there’s the Käsmu peninsula (~10 km), the route Loksa-Pärispea-Viinistu-Kasispea on the Pärispea peninsula (here you will find the highest rock in the Baltic States – the Jaani-Tooma rock (kivi, 7.8 metres high). Nature trail You can hike a wooden train over the Viru swamp (Viru raba, 3.5 km), another trail on the Käsmu peninsula (~15 km), and the Pikanõmme-Majakivi trail (4.5 km), along which you will find the third largest rock in the Baltic States – the so-called House Rock (Majakivi), which has a size of 584 m³. We also suggest the informational Altja trail (3 km). Nature watching There are viewing towers in the Viru raba swamp and along the Piaknõmme-Majakivi trail. There is a visitor centre at Palmse.
	Estonia Ancient Piusa River valley and Piusa cave The area of the ancient Piusa River valley that is between the villages of Vana-Vastseliina and Ignasõ is around 15 km long, features some substantial rapids, and offers a view of beautiful Devonian period cliffs. The largest, Härma müür, is 43 metres high and is the highest sandstone cliff in Estonia. There are caves from old mines in the village of Piusa. A small part of the mines, which have tunnels that are more than 10 km long in all, has been tured into a local museum. Services Services - recreational Boat tour Boat from Vana-Vastseliina to Ignasõ (1 day, extreme boating, only during flood season). For more information: www.piusa.ee (available in English). Nature trail Hike down the river valley along its entire length (~20 km).
	Estonia Moorpfad Viru Ein 3,5 km langer Pfad quert den Viru Moos in Richtung Süd–Nord. Von einem Holzaussichtsturm eröffnet sich einen Blick auf eine typische Hochmoorlandschaft mit einigen Seen, Aushöhlungen und morastigen Stellen. 56 Services 56km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Saleveres Salumegi kalns (Salevere Salumägi) Litorīnas jūras laikā (pirms ~ 6000 gadiem) Saleveres Salumegi kalns bija sala, bet mūsdienās tas kā izteikta kāple (īpaši - ziemeļu pusē) paceļas virs Piejūras līdzenuma. Salumegi ziemeļu pusē slejas 4 - 5 metrus augsts kaļķakmens atsegums – silūra perioda (> 400 mlj. gadu) koraļļu rifa paliekas, kuru noskalojuši Litorīnas jūras viļņi. Atseguma piekājē izplūst Acu avots, kam piedēvē dziednieciskas īpašības. Salumegi apskates nolūkos izveidota lokveida taka (1,5 km). No kalna augšas paveras labs skats uz Matsalu līci. Šeit atradies arī sens pilskalns. 132 Services 132km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Saka-Ontika-Toila-pank (cliff) This is a cliff with various levels. Known as the North Estonian cliff, it stretches all along the shore of the Bay of Rīga in Estonia, including some of the local islands. The most expressive part in geological and landscape terms is the Saka-Ontika-Toila cliff, which is around 22 km long and offers an unusual natural environment. The cliff is as much as 53 m high, and it has a fairly virginal forest along its slopes. The layers of clay, sandstone, limestone, etc., come from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods. The Valaste juga (Valaste waterfall) is 24 metres high. After a longer period of freezing temperatures, the waterfall has a particularly impressive appearance. Seasonal waterfalls (8-10 m) can be found near the villages of Ontika and Toila. Services Services - recreational Bicycle trail Bike from Saka to Taoil (20 km) along the road that is at the top of the cliffs. Nature trail Hike along the seashore during the season when trees are bare, moving from Saka to Toila (~22 km). Nature watching There is an impressive viewing platform at the Valaste waterfall.
	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. 275 5-9 Services 275km - Distance from countries capital city 5-9 Active season months
	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. 273 Services 273km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia The Haanja Nature Park This 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. Services Services - recreational Bicycle trail Bike the route Rõuge-Nursi-Tindi-Rõuge (15 km). Nature trail The Vällamäe nature trail (2.2 km) is the highest trail in terms of elevation in the Baltic States. You may hike the wooden trail of the Hinni canyon and the hiking route of the Rõuge River valley (10 km), or the trail of Lake Kavadi (Kavadi järv) (4.5 km). Nature watching There are viewing towers at Suur Munamägi and on the eastern shore of Rõuge Suurjärv. For more information: www.haanjapark.ee (only in Estonian).
	Estonia Pärimusmatkad/Heritage Tours The company provides wildlife tours – seal watching, walking, cycling or skiing trips, rubber boat trips to Vilsandi and other islands, orchid trips, and trips to learn about culture and life of the manors, towns and villages, crafts and seafaring. Miku forest park in Vilsandi National Park is where visitors can learn about and try various forestry jobs. The Vilsandi NP centre is in Loona Manor along with a guesthouse and café-restaurant (www.loonamanor.ee). 200 1-12 Services 200km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months
	Estonia The sandstone cliffs of Kallaste This is one of the few places in the Baltic States where one can find Devonian period sandstone cliffs featuring abrasion caves, arches, etc. The cliffs are on the shores of Lake Peipsi (Peipsi järv), near Kallaste, and they are between two and four (in some cases – nine) metres high, stretching for a distance of around one km. Services Services - recreational Nature trail Hike along the shores of the lake to and from the cliffs (3 km). Nature watching There is a viewing tower which offers a good look at Lake Peipsi and the shoreline. For more information: www.kallaste.ee (only in Estonian).
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature trail The Tolkuse swamp trail (~2.2 km). Nature watching A viewing tower at Tornimäagi. Bird-watching from towers at Pikla, Piirumi, Raanametsa and Pulgoja.
	Estonia Skats uz Vaikas salam (Vaika saared) No Vilsandi bākas un tai tuvākās apkaimes ir labi saskatāmas leģendārās Vaikas salas. Tām ir piešķirts rezervāta statuss, tādēļ salas var apskatīt tikai no attāluma. Mazākā no saliņām - Kullipank ir tikai pārdesmit metrus diametrā. Tā ir jūras ūdeņu izrobots zemas un asas dolomīta klints fragments, kas klāts ar oļiem, nelieliem laukakmeņiem un kādu atsevišķi stāvošu lakstaugu. Domājams, ka vētru laikā tā pazūd zem jūras ūdens. Savukārt, Alumine Vaigas – Apakšējā Vaikas sala ir lielākā no sešām salām. Šīs salas diametrs ir ~ 150 m un tā paceļas vismaz kādus divus metrus virs jūras līmeņa. Uz salas ir bagātīga veģetācija un pat kāds zems krūms salas centrā. Redzami arī metru augsti atsegumi. Uz salas vēl joprojām atrodas 20. gs. sākumā celto „putnu māju” paliekas, kas bija domātas ligzdojošo putnu piesaistīšanai. Services
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature watching Viewing towers at the village of Raigastvere and near Lake Elistvere.
	Estonia Jägala waterfall This 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. 31 Services 31km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Nature watching
	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. 129 Services 129km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Neri akmeni (Näärikivid) Trīs lielāka izmēra laukakmeņi – aizsargājami dabas pieminekļi, kas atrodas Matsalu līča krastā starp Sāstnas (Saastna) un Metskjulas (Metsküla) ciemiem. Tuvējā ceļa malā ir izvietots informācijas stends un norādes, bet līdz akmeņiem var nokļūt pa iezīmētu taku. Pēc kāda tautas nostāsta, lielas vētras laikā, kas notikusi Jaungada naktī, lielais akmens sašķēlies trīs daļās. No tā arī cēlies vietvārds. Apkārtnē redzamās pļavas ir nozīmīga daudzu augu sugu dzīves vide un svarīga putnu ligzdošanas un atpūtas vieta. Šī iemesla dēļ taku drīkst apmeklēt tikai no 1. jūlija līdz septembra beigām. Akmeņi ir arī labi redzami no minētā ceļa. Tie ar ledāju atceļojuši no Turku (Somija) apkārtnes. 129 Services 129km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Klostri (Kloostri) skatu tornis Metāla tornis Kazari upes kreisajā krastā, ~ 5 km attālumā no Matsalu līča. No torņa redzamās Kazari deltas palieņu pļavas atrodas tikai 0,3 – 1 m augstumā virs jūras līmeņa, tādēļ pavasara palos un stipru vētru (īpaši rietumvēju) laikā ūdens appludina milzīgu teritoriju. Uzskata, ka platības ziņā šīs ir vienas no lielākajām Eiropas palieņu pļavām, kas ir nozīmīga dažādu tārtiņveidīgo putnu sugu ligzdošanas, dzērvju un zosveidīgo putnu atpūtas un barošanās vieta. Ir pagājis laiks, kad zemnieki Matsalu pļavās ganīja govis un pļāva sienu, tādēļ šobrīd pļavu apsaimniekošanu veic nacionālā parka administrācija. Services
	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. 70 Services 70km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. Services
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature trail Nature watching
	Estonia Moor Tolkuse Durch das höchste Dünen-Massiv Estlands und den Moor führt der Lehr-Wanderweg. Blick vom Aussichtsturm bis auf die Insel Kihnu. 175 Services 175km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Perajerva meza taka (Pärajärve metsarada) Četrus kilometrus gara marķēta lokveida taka, kas ved pa lielāku meža masīvu, iepazīstina ne tikai ar augiem un dzīvniekiem, bet arī mežsaimniecības tradīcijām. Takas sākums atrodas pie nelielā Perejerves ciema, uz kuru paveras labs skats no tuvējā paugura. Pie autostāvlaukuma izveidota atpūtas un piknika vieta. Services
	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. 1-12 Services 1-12 Active season months Services - recreational Boat tour Boating on the Bay of Matsalu and the Kasari River can be organised. Nature trail The Kiideva-Puise hiking trial (5 km), the Penijõe trail (3 km), the Salevere information trail (1.5 km). Nature watching Bird-watching is possible throughout the park, especially on the shorelines, in wetland meadows and heaths. There are bird-watching towers or platforms at Puise, Kiideva, Haeska, Rannajõe, Kasari jõgi, Penijõe, Suitsu and Keemu. The visitor centre is in the village of Matsalu. For more information: www.matsalu.ee (available in English).
	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. Services
	Estonia Kidevas (Kiideva) putnu verosanas platformas Pirmā 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! Services
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature watching In the village of Kiviõli, in turn, you can climb an old hill of slag from the gas mixture (Vana tuhamägi). This will open up a view of one of Estonia’s most interesting landscapes. For more information: www.kivioli.ee (available in English).
	Estonia Keila waterfall This 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. 31 Services 31km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Nature trail 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.
	Estonia Osmussaar This 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. 1-12 Services 1-12 Active season months Services - recreational Nature trail Hike around the island (~12 km) and across it (9 km back and forth). Nature watching There are lovely views and landscapes near the Osmussaare lighthouse. You can get to the island by motorboat from the Dirhami port.
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature trail The trail to the Põrguhaud crater is around 700 metres in length. For more information: http://www.ut.ee/BGGM/vaatamis/ilumetsa.html (only in Estonian).