Where to go and what to do in Vormsi

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.

Bicycle tour on Vormsi Island

Vormsi, which is the fourth largest island in Estonia, is less than an hour from the mainland. It was named after the Icelandic Viking Orm (snake). Until 1944, Vormsi was inhabited by coastal Swedes. In 1938, nearly 2,600 people lived there. Most left during the Second World War. The main route is a dust-free paved road. Its eastern and western parts are of equal length and it passes most villages of the coastal Swedes. The route is passable throughout the year and alternative routes are open from May to October. Information on ferry departures is available here.  

Sviby küla, Vormsi vald

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.

Hullo küla, Vormsi vald

Huitbergi hiking trail and limestone hill

One of the most fascinating places on Vormsi is the Huitbergi limestone hill in a spruce forest in the middle of the island. The hill is over 400 million years old and a coral reef polished by ice. The limestone outcrop is covered with moss, but fossils can be seen in places where there is no moss. Protected ferns have found their place there. The circular trail is marked with wooden signs.

Suuremõisa küla, Vormsi vald

Bicycle rental in the port of Sviby on the island of Vormsi

You can rent 40 Kuwahara cross-country bicycles from the Sviby Port. These bikes have 3 or 21 speeds and are ideal for riding on the tracks and landscapes of Vormsi. The bicycles have luggage carriers and bottle holders and you can also use special seats for children. Vormsi has a well-developed network of roads and bike tracks, and the traffic is much safer than in the mainland. If you ride around by bike you can have much better contact with nature and you can go to places you cannot go by car.  You can rent the bike for 1.5 hours or up to a couple of days.

Sviby küla, Vormsi vald

Allika hiking trail on Vormsi

A 2 km hiking trail is situated in the relatively moist and waterlogged area on the Vormsi landscape protection area. The most notable sites on the trail include the Suur Allikas (Big Spring) and Raviallikas (Curing Spring) and an enjoyable view to Lake Prästviigi. You will find signs and information boards throughout the trail. The trail is partly a dirt road; moist areas have boardwalks and bridges. In the wet seasons, the trail is muddy and difficult to pass. Rubber boots are the most suitable footware for passing the trail. The trail has a timber watchtower that is 2.5 m high.

Suuremõisa küla, Vormsi vald

Hullo-Prästviigi hiking trail

Prästviigi lake is a closing up coastal lake and its springs worthy of visiting are located in its north edge. The lake is an important fish spawn for the fish of the coastal waters and a good source of food for the birds. Also, one can see various species of orchids there. Good to know: The length of the trail is about 10 kilometres and the time needed for passing it on foot is 5–6 hours and by bike is 3–4 hours. The trail is mostly covered with gravel, hence it is more suitable for cyclists. You can also camp in Hullo and there is a viewing platform near the springs.

Hullo küla, Vormsi vald