Situated in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, Estonia has much natural beauty for the visitor to enjoy. The best way for people to do this is to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Estonia. The diversity of what can be discovered is one of the great pleasures of a visit.
For those who want a more physical experience hiking and climbing provide a perfect opportunity. The nature of Estonia is just waiting to be discovered on a hiking trip. The hiking season is all-year-round, although visitors may get a little muddy in autumn and winter. As an added bonus, from a safety point of view, there is excellent Internet and mobile phone coverage in Estonia; the Internet is accessible in approximately 99% of the country. Maps for visitors are available from all tourist information centres. Of course it is important for hikers to ensure they have the right clothing for the season which always includes sturdy walking shoes and may include warm clothing such as a hat and gloves or a light jacket with long sleeves; wearing reflectors is also mandatory in Estonia. Once prepared though the beauty of Estonia awaits.
Tallinn – A Perfect Base
It is easy to see what natural beauty Estonia presents, and how travellers can experience this first hand. As the capital city of the country Tallinn provides a perfect base from which to undertake exploration. As the oldest capital in Northern Europe, the city itself has many landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site which is its old town. What better gateway to the nature of Estonia with its varied landscapes and diverse species of flora and fauna waiting to be discovered.
Walking in to Nature
Over half of the country is covered by forest with a myriad of pine, spruce and birch trees. Visitors to these forest areas can come across animals such as roe deer, wild boar, bear and wolves. Fascinating amidst the forested lands are Järvselja forest in Tartumaa County and Poruni in Ida- Virumaa County; these two regions have primeval forestation which disappeared long ago across most of Europe. Alongside the forests, the meadows of Estonia are well known for their density of botanic life. There is one meadow in Vahenurme in Pärnumaa County that contains seventy four different species of flora for every square metre. Another natural phenomenon for which Estonia is famous is bog and marsh land which covers around one fifth of the country. Most of this land is situated in central and eastern parts of Estonia but the Soomaa National Park in Western Estonia has the best examples; the name actually meaning ‘bog land’.
A Little Elevation
The Haanja National Park is home to a very different natural spectacle for visitors to explore. Suur Munamägi (Big Egg Mountain) is not only the highest peak in Estonia but also throughout the Baltic region. It does not have an exceptionally high elevation (only 1,043 feet) but a climb is still a fascinating experience. On the climb visitors should keep alert to the finer details of their environment, such as an owl carving amongst the trees. At the top of Suur Munamägi lies the reward of excellent views across South East Estonia from the tower which has been erected. In good weather the view can even extend to Latvia or Russia!
Welcome to Estonia!
