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 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. Services Services - recreational Cross-country skiing During the winter, you can ski the 63-km Tartu marathon trail, which crosses the park. Bicycle trail Bike around Lake Pühajärv from the centre of Otepää (~20 km), or ride from Otepää to Kääriku (11 km). Nature trail Hike around Lake Pühajärv (12 km), hike the Kekkose hiking route (14 km), or hike the Murrumetsa hiking trail (3.5 km). Bike around Lake Pühajärv from the centre of Otepää (~20 km), or ride from Otepää to Kääriku (11 km). Nature watching There are viewing towers at Harimägi and in the hills of Kuutsemägi, near the Otepää ski jump, at Väike Munamägi, and near the Otepää castle hill. For more information: www.otepaaloodus.ee (available in English).
	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 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. 150 1-12 Services 150km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months Services - recreational Fishing Cross-country skiing During the winter, there is cross-country skiing and hikes across frozen swamps. The visitor centre is in Tõramaa. For more information: www.soomaa.com (available in English). Boat tour Canoeing is possible on flooded territories and down the rivers of the park. Nature trail Walking tours in the park Nature trail Hike the area in the presence of a guide, go “bog-shoeing”, hike the Riisa swamp trail (5 km, with watching tower), the Ignatsi trail (4.5 km, with watching tower), the Beaver information trail (3 km), the Tõramaa trail (2.5 km, with watching tower), and other trails and routes in the park. Nature watching You can go on a beaver safari and look for other animals in the company of a guide.
	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 Kostivere karst field This is one of Estonia’s most beautiful karst fields, covering 125 hectares which feature different karst processes – subterranean streams, the dry Jõelähtme River bed, karst streams, funnels, ditches, caves, cliffs, a unique rock “mushroom,” etc. During the spring, the field is flooded, but at other times of the year, its contents are easily visible. Services Services - recreational Nature watching
	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.). Services
	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. 159 Services 159km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Anhöhe Otepää One of the three highlands of Southern Estonia with scenic hills and beautiful sights. In its center lies the bay-rich Lake Pühajärv (translating from Estonian - Holy Lake). 230 Services 230km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. 204 1-12 Services 204km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months
	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. Services
	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 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 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 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. Services
	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. Services
	Estonia Torna kalns (Tornimägi) Karulas augstienes augstākais reljefa punkts (137 m.vjl.), kas virs tuvākās apkārtnes paceļas par ~ 60 m. Torņa kalnā ir uzbūvēts skatu tornis ar ļoti plašu apkārtskatu. Uz tā platformas ir novietoti panorāmas fotoattēli, kuros atzīmēti zīmīgākie plašākā apkaimē redzamie objekti – apdzīvotas vietas, pilskalni, baznīcu torņi u.c. Turpat izveidota atpūtas vieta un meklējams Rebases ainavu takas sākums. 260 Services 260km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. Services Services - recreational Nature trail Hike along the eastern and northern shore of Väike Pakri, cross the “dam” which links the two islands, and then hike along the northern shore of Suur Pakri (20-25 km in all). You can get to the islands by motorboat from the ports at Paldiski or Kurkse.
	Estonia Halbinsel Käsmu Eine 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. 81 Services 81km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. 244 Services 244km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Nature trail The Viidumäe educational trail (1.2 km), the Audaku hiking trial (2.8 km). Nature watching There is a viewing tower on Mount Viidumägi with a broad view of the western end of the Saaremaa Island. It’s worth visiting the visitor centre at Audaku.
	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. Services
	Estonia Leti tornis (Läti torn) Jēsū – Kepu ceļa malā pie Leti (Läti) ciema ir izveidots autostāvlaukums ar putnu vērošanas torni, no kura paveras skats uz Hallistes upes palieņu pļavām un tuvējā ciema apkārtni. Stipru palu laikā arī no šī torņa redzamā apkārtne (izņemot ceļus) var atrasties zem ūdens. Laba putnu vērošanas vieta. Läti tulkojumā no igauņu valodas nozīmē Latvija. Services
	Estonia Muuga Kabelikivi rock This is the second largest rock in the Baltic States in terms of size (728 m3). It is the only rock in the Baltic States with this form and size. It is 7 m high, 19 m long, 11 m wide, and 58 m in perimeter. Kabelikivi looks like a cliff that is halfway sunk into the earth. During the Ice Age, the rock “travelled” to this location from southern Finland. It is made of granite, and there are two other very impressive rocks alongside it. Services Services - recreational Nature watching
	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 Lemmje pargajienu taka (Lemmjõe matkarada) Taka, kas izveidota Lemmjegi (Lemmjõgi) un Raudnas (Raudna jõgi) satekas vietā, iepazīstina ar palieņu pļavām un veciem pārmitriem mežiem, kas ir vieni no lielākajiem Igaunijā. Takas sākumā dominē atklātas lauku ainavas. Viens no 4,9 km garās lokveida takas apskates objektiem ir Lemjē dižozols. Mitrā laikā noderēs ūdensizturīgi apavi. 155 Services 155km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. 261 Services 261km - Distance from countries capital city
	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. 262 1-12 Services 262km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months
	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. 150 Services 150km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Bicycle trail Bike the route Käina-Orjaku-Kassari-Esiküla-Käina (22 km). Nature trail The Orjaku nature trail (up to 2 km); the Sääre tirp – a 3-km hike along a rocky path on the southern end of the Kassari Island; Nature watching Birdwatchers will enjoy the Bay of Käina, where a colony of great cormorants and other water birds can be found. There is a bird-watching tower at Orjaku, as well as a viewing platform at the Bay of Vemla (Vaemla laht).
	Estonia The Karula National Park This 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. 280 Services 280km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Fishing Bicycle trail Bike the route Ähijärve-Peräjärve-Kolski-Rebasemõisa-Kaika-Ähijärve (26 km). Nature trail Hike the Ähijärve nature trail (3.5 km), the Rebase landscape trail (7 km), or the Peräjärve nature trail (4 km). Nature watching There are viewing towers on Tornimägi hill and at Mäekonnu. The visitor centre is in the village of Ähijärve. For more information: www.karularahvuspark.ee (available in English).
	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. 30 Services 30km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Nature trail Nature watching