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 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. Services Services - recreational Boat tour Boating from Koorvere to Suur Taevaskoja (~15 km). Sadly, one third of the river is taken up by the reservoir of the local hydroelectric power plant. Nature trail The Taevaskoja hiking trail (3 km).
	Estonia Meteoriten-kraterfeld von Kaali Eins der eindrücksvollen Meteoritenkraterfelder Europas. Der Hauptkrater ist 22 m tief, Durchmesser – 110 m. Der ungefähre Zeitraum des Meteoriteneinschlags liegt ung. 7500-Jahre zurück. 205 Services 205km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Aegna Island An afforested island in the Gulf of Finland, approximately 14 km to the North of Tallinn. There is a network of small roads and trails on the island. Forests: Mostly 1.1, 1.2 and 4.2. Information: www.aegna.ee. A ferry boat to the island departs from the port at Pirita. Hike around the shore of the island, where you will find all kinds of environments – dunes, sandy areas, rocky areas and places with lots of reeds (~9 km). 1-12 Services 1-12 Active season months Services - recreational Nature trail Hike around the shore of the island, where you will find all kinds of environments – dunes, sandy areas, rocky areas and places with lots of reeds (~9 km). Nature watching
	Estonia Hjupasares pargajienu taka (Hüpassaare matkarada) Iepazīstina ar Somā nacionālā parka lielākā purva – Kureso (Kuresoo) ziemeļaustrumu daļu, kur redzamas purva ezeriņu un lāmu ainavas. Takas sākumā atrodas igauņu komponista, ērģelnieka un folkloras vācēja Marta Sāra (Mart Saar) (1882. – 1963.) dzimtās mājas. To apkaimē pļavas apsaimnieko aitas. Lokveida takas garums ir 4,2 km. 169 Services 169km - Distance from countries capital city
	Estonia Tuhala Nature Centre and Nõiakaev Tuhala 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. Tuhala karst area features a 2.5 km hiking trail, suitable for family trips, walking, cycling or driving. 32 1-12 Services 32km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months
	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 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 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 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. 53 Services 53km - Distance from countries capital city Services - recreational Nature trail There’s a hiking trail which encircles the Pakri peninsula (26 km). You must not approach the face of the cliff, because rock collapses are possible.
	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 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. Services Services - recreational Bicycle trail a route around the entire perimeter of the island (~20 km). A ferry boat will take you to the island from the Pirita port. Nature trail There is a hiking route along the southern part of Naisaar Island (13 km), as well as a military route (10 km), a central route (11 km) Nature watching
	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 Reimann Retked The company runs wildlife tours: rafting in early spring, kayaking in summer (with beaver watching upon request), bog and snowshoeing round the year, kick-sledging in winter. Our experienced guides tell exciting stories of wildlife and history. 34 1-12 Services 34km - Distance from countries capital city 1-12 Active season months
	Estonia Suitsu tornis (Suitsu torn) Suitsu tornis celts 1979. g. kā pirmais Matsalu rezervāta metāla tornis. To atjaunoja 1998. g. Torņa augstums ir 21 m, tādēļ no tā paveras izcila dabas un kultūrainava uz Kazari deltas niedrājiem un blakus esošo Suitsu upi (Suitsu jõgi), kuras krastā ir uzceltas vairākas zvejnieku laivu būdas. Services
	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 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! Services
	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.