Nature holiday - Visit Haapsalu

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:

Vormsi Landscape Protection Area

The aim of Vormsi Nature Protection Area is to protect rare landscapes, heritage, culture and plants. The two internationally important bird protection areas on the coast of Vormsi – bays of Hullo and Sviby – and Hari strait with coastal meadows and islets are named research areas of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Interesting places: Hullo bay – a nesting and a stopping place for birds. In spring you can see thousands of scaups, long-tailed ducks, ducks, barnacle geese and woodcocks there. Rumpo peninsula is the habitat of the rare lichens characteristic for tundras, but rare in Estonia. Also take a look at Rälby bog, Dilby peninsula, Saxby beach and Prästviigi Lake.

Norrenda, Rumpo küla, Vormsi vald, Lääne maakond

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.

Vormsi ringtee T3, Hullo küla, Vormsi vald, Lääne maakond

Promenaad tennis club, Haapsalu

The Promenaad tennis club offers outdoor courts right next to Haapsalu’s famous Episcopal Castle as part of the Krahviaia tennis centre. There are five clay/sand courts, while the adjacent pavilion hosts the clubhouse and a pro shop. There are also changing rooms and everything else you need. Those who have the time and inclination after a game can also play pétanque, croquet or darts – there is plenty of room to play both indoors and outside in Krahviaia park.

Vee tn 10, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

Liivaseranna-Peraküla study trail

The study trail runs through different types of landscapes and key biotypes. You will pass lakes Toatse and Allikajärv, you can enjoy the nature of the forest, the singing sands, the variety of landscapes. In Liivaseranna and Keibu Bay you will find a dozen kilometres of sheer sandy beach.
The trail will give you an overview of the local cultural heritage of Nõva, you will see a cobble street and radio station dating back to World War I. Good to know: The trail is dry and its length is 3,7 kilometres. It is supplied with information boards.

Peraküla, Lääne-Nigula vald, Lääne maakond

Kayaking in Haapsalu

The Gulf Tagalaht and its surroundings in Haapsalu are an ideal place for kayaking. It’s also a great place to see many different bird species. Kayaking in autumn is a spectacle in itself because you can watch the migration of geese and common cranes. On the other hand, kayaking in summer is very pleasant in the sun. Often the water is too shallow even for kayaks, fortunately the route can be changed according to the group and water level. In addition, various sights can be seen, for example Haapsalu Kuursaal, different harbours, Suur Viik Bay, old Kalakombinaat, etc.

At the beginning of the kayaking trip, we always talk about water safety and teach basic paddling skills.

Holmi tn 14, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

Roosta Beach

The sandy beach near Roosta Holiday Village is one of the best in the northwest of Estonia. There is a car park for 80 cars and boardwalks for people in wheelchairs. There are also cabanas and places for buying snacks and drinks. The adjoining Roosta Holiday Village offers various possibilities for active relaxation – starting with miniature golf and ending with a game of tennis or bowling. Roosta Holiday Village also offers accommodation and catering services.
Good to know: In summer you can learn how to surf, hire a boat or pedalo.

Suplusranna, Elbiku küla / Ölbäck, Lääne-Nigula vald, Lääne maakond