Immerse yourself in the nature of Läänemaa

In the romantic small town of Haapsalu and small villages, hospitable people await you, surprising you with their sincerity and interest in history and culture. The guests who stayed here are remembered again and again with great respect.

VisitEstonia has produced a brochure introducing Estonia’s national parks:

Lynx and bear watching tour in Alutaguse and Lahemaa National Park

The focus of this nature tour is on three iconic mammals – the lynx, the brown bear, and the wolf. For now, let’s focus our attention on the lynx, who has the most secretive life. About 500 lynxes are thought to live in Estonia, and they are mostly seen in Alutaguse and Lahemaa National Park.

Estonia also has a large bear population of almost 1,000. We will monitor their activities from a hut. In addition, we hope to hear the howls of wolves on dark autumn nights.

We will also have plenty of time for bird-watching. The tour includes accommodation and meals.

The best time to order a tour is the first three weeks of October but you can contact us all year round!

We also organise scheduled animal watching trips which you can join alone or with a friend, see our website for more information.

Peraküla beach

This beautiful countryside, largely untouched by civilization and surrounded by sparse settlement, is alluring to nature enthusiasts, who are able to visit the nearby forest to forage blueberries, cowberries and mushrooms.

The Nõva coastal area is also enchanting to those interested in enjoying a beach setting and getting a little surfing in. The sandy beach of Peraküla offers close to a dozen kilometres of pure singing sand.

Did you know…?: There are no lifeguards at this beach, and RMK Peraküla has a camping area with campfire sites and outhouses, as well as having a 200 capacity car park at Peraküla beach.

A hike on elven trails in the virgin nature of Tõldmäe

A hike on elven trails takes you to the magical Tõldmäe bog island covered in virgin forest and offering breathtaking views on Leidissoo. This is a place where time stands still and the unearthly prevails. The place is rich in trees and rocks in various shapes and sizes. We will talk about nature, local legends, Estonian pre-history, mythology and traditions. If you wish, you can have a smoke sauna after the hike. Leave the civilization behind, become a part of primeval nature and have an adventure in a mystical elven forest! You will always be welcome here!

The hike is about 8 km long and lasts for about 5–8 hours; the price includes the fee of a tour guide and transportation from Tallinn.

 

Pikajala Hill in Palivere

Palivere is famous for its sand dunes and pine forests. Pikajalamägi or Pikajala Hill is the highest point in Lääne County – 51 m – and home to a fortress whose construction began in the early part of the second millennium but was never completed. Around 11,000 years ago the sea lapped the foot of the hill. The old ski jumping tower on the hill is no longer in use, but it offers unbeatable views over the surrounding area. Hiking trails also wind their way over and around the hill.
Did you know…? *The spring at the foot of the hill is said to have a restorative effect on the eyes, making them sparkle and leaving you looking forever young! And if you toss a coin in it during spring, they say you will never run out of money…

Palivere hiking trails

There are ski and hiking trails of different lengths and degrees of difficulty in Palivere. In winter, children can enjoy sledding on Palivere slopes.

The trails – which are 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7,3 km in length – can be used at different times of year for skiing, running, cycling, Nordic walking, and simply hiking depending on the preferences of the visitor; the area is also perfect for GPS games and orienteering. There is also a 1.5-kilometre-long lit trail
There is a car park for 100 cars, a warm outdoor toilet, and campfire sites at the start of the trail. You can also play disc golf (18 holes).

There is an old ski-jumping tower close to the hiking trails

Lake Prästvike hiking trail

Lake Prästvike, located in the central part of Vormsi Island, is a former sea lagoon, which has been taken over by reed to a large extent, but has retained its importance as a spawning and nursery area for fish in the coastal sea. The birdlife of the lake is abundant and diverse – on a quiet spring evening, you can hear the song of the bittern.
The largest spring among the numerous springs in the northern part of the lake is the Suurallikas Spring. The 1.7 km hiking trail leads to Lake Prästvike and the observation tower on the north shore. At the edge of the forest, there is the unique Raviallikas Spring. It is surrounded by calcareous spring meadows with different species of Orchidaceae.