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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Overview Details
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Distance from countries capital city70
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Estonia

Tihuse Riding Farm heritage trail

Tihuse farm provides accommodation and horse riding from trekking to carriage rides. A signposted heritage trail starts at the farm and tells the story of people and Nature; you can also learn about old beliefs and customs. The teahouse exhibits photos of places linked to Muhu island’s heritage.

Distance from countries capital city148 Active season months1-12
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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.

Distance from countries capital city56
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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.
Active season months1-12
Nature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Koiva heritage culture trail

The 60 km cross-border cycling trail along the Koiva/Gauja River in Estonia and Latvia was completed in 2010. The trail begins at Tellingumäe car park, start and finish points of the trail and the border crossing site are supplied with resting areas and information boards with maps. Signposts are located at crossroads where there may be confusion for cyclists; attractions near the main route are also signposted. Information boards are provided in Estonian, Latvian and English. Tellingumäe car park is also a starting point for an 18-km cycling route.

Distance from countries capital city267 Active season months1-12
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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.

Distance from countries capital city132
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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.
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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.
Distance from countries capital city53
Nature trail
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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.

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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.

Distance from countries capital city261
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Estonia

Castle Hill Otepää

Very 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.

Distance from countries capital city225
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Estonia

Tuhala Karst area, Witch’s well

One of the largest karst areas in Estonia is found here. The unique Witch’s well is one of the most interesting parts of this area. During spring floods (not every year, and for only a short period of time), the well erupts with underground river waters to create an unusually powerful karst stream that can pump out as much as 100 litres per hour.
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Estonia

Terama taka (Tõramaa matkarada)

Divarpus kilometrus gara taka (vienā virzienā) aizved līdz Hallistes palieņu pļavām, kur Hallistes upes labajā krastā ir uzcelts divstāvīgs koka skatu tornis. No tā paveras visaptverošs skats uz atjaunotajām (izcirsti krūmi) Hallistes palieņu pļavām. Pavasara palu laikā no torņa redzamā apkārtne un tornis atrodas ūdenī.

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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

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. 

Distance from countries capital city81
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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.

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Estonia

Kusnemmes pussala (Kuusnõmme poolsaar)

Ap 6 km garā pussala ir vieta, kur jānokļūst tiem, kas grasās doties vienā no neparastākajiem pārgājieniem pāri jūras šaurumam. Cauri Kūsnemmes pussalai līdz tās ziemeļu daļai iet šaurs un ļoti līkumains grants ceļš (ar garāku tūristu autobusu jābrauc lēni un uzmanīgi), kura galā izveidots autostāvlaukums, neliels namiņš, kur patverties lietus un vēja laikā, kā arī informācijas stends. Turpat redzamas divas Padomju armijas „KRAZ” tipa automašīnas. Lai sasniegtu robežkontroles posteni, Padomju robežsargi brauca pa jūru un mazajām saliņām, kas kā pērļu virtene savieno Kūsnemmes pussalas galu ar Vilsandi salas  dienviddaļu. Turpat divas desmitgades pēc Igaunijas neatkarības atjaunošanas „KRAZ” automašīnu kravas kastēs vasaras laikā uz Vilsandi vizināja tūristus, taču spēkrati savu mūžu ir nokalpojuši un unikālais piedāvājums vairs nav spēkā! Ko darīt? Pa mazajām saliņām uz Vilsandi var doties ar kājām. To var īstenot tikai siltā laikā, kad nav gaidāms stiprs vējš un ir zināma laika prognoze vismaz divām tuvākajām dienām. Kā sava veida orientieris var kalpot augstsprieguma elektrolīnija. Kopumā ir jārēķinās arī ar 1 h 40 – 2 h ilgu un ~ 4 km garu gājienu. Dziļākā vieta (ja ietur pareizo „kursu”) atrodas pārgājiena sākumdaļā, kur starp saliņām izveidots laivu ceļš - ~ 1 m dziļa vieta atkarībā no vēja virziena un ūdens līmeņa. Zināmu priekšstatu par maršrutu sniegs redzamā ainava, kas paveras no skatu torņa. Kaut arī šis maršruts tiek reklamēts dažādos informatīvajos materiālos, atbildību par tā veikšanu uzņemas katrs pats!

Distance from countries capital city257
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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.

Nature park Distance from countries capital city280
FishingBicycle trailNature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Sõrve säär

Die Südspitze der Insel Saaremaa – eine aus Geröll in der Irbenstraße langgestreckte Landzunge. Militärbefestigungen, Leuchtturm (1960), Vogelbeobachtungsort.

Distance from countries capital city270
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Estonia

Lahemaa Hiking Centre

The 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.

Distance from countries capital city70 Active season months1-12
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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. 

Distance from countries capital city205
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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.
Distance from countries capital city30
Nature trailNature watching
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Estonia

Moor Tolkuse

Durch das höchste Dünen-Massiv Estlands und den Moor führt der Lehr-Wanderweg. Blick vom Aussichtsturm bis auf die Insel Kihnu.

Distance from countries capital city175
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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.
National park Active season months1-12
Boat tourNature trailNature watching
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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.

Distance from countries capital city204 Active season months1-12
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Estonia

The Rock of Jana - Toma

The Rock of Jana - Toma is claiming itself to be the highest (almost 8 m) rock in The Baltic. It is located in Kasispea village.

Distance from countries capital city72
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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.