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
Moorpfad ViruEin 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. |
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Estonia
The Panga cliffsThe highest and most beautiful wall of cliffs on Saaremaa Island (up to 21 m high), stretching along some 3 km. During strong winds from the W or NW, a part of the cliff is washed by the waves of the sea. The open face of the cliff has limestone, marls and dolomite, and there is a wealth of fossils at the base of the cliff – corals, stromatoporids, etc.
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Estonia
Kaali meteorite cratersThis 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. |
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Estonia
Domberg TartuVom 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. |
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Estonia
Moor TolkuseDurch das höchste Dünen-Massiv Estlands und den Moor führt der Lehr-Wanderweg. Blick vom Aussichtsturm bis auf die Insel Kihnu. |
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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
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
Ancient Piusa River valley and Piusa caveThe 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.
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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
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
Trips aboard kaleshipsKale 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. |
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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
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
Felsen PakriDie mächtigste Steilküste im Baltikum (bis zu 24 m hoch). In den kalten Winter werden hier phantastische Gletscherstürze entstanden. Pakri Leuchtturm. |
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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. |
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Estonia
The Endla ReserveThis 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
Aegna IslandThis 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
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
Gas mixtureGas 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
Lahemaa Hiking CentreThe 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. |
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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
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.
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Estonia
Oksas (Oksa) takaBijušā 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. |
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Estonia
Turisalu cliffThis 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.
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Estonia
Saaremaa IslandThe biggest sea island in Estonia. In translation - "Land of The Islands". A bridge, where cyclists can drive connects Saaremaa island to Muhu island . |
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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
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. |
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Estonia
The Vilsandi National ParkThe 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.
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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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