Natural Wonders of Estonia

What are the natural wonders of Estonia? Discover and explore the Estonia wonders of nature below and decide which is the best nature attraction for Estonia and for you to visit during your trip to this beautiful country.

Below you will find amazing national parks and incredible waterfalls.  The country is worthy of vacation travels by nature lovers who like to explore the outdoors.  Estonia nature attractions are special.

Lahemaa National Park

In the northern portion of Estonia lies the Lahemaa National Park, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) east of Tallin, the nation’s capital. The park covers a total area of 725 km² (280 square miles), including 250.9 km² (97 square miles) of sea water. This was the very first national park designated by the previous Soviet Union. Lahemaa is the biggest park in the region, and is also one of the biggest national parks of Europe.

The Lahemaa’s charter calls for the promotion, research, and preservation of the Estonian landscapes, biodiversity, ecosystems, and national heritage. The area offers 4 manors located within the park, including the Vihula, Palmse, Kolga, and Sagadi, each symbolizing its own unique picturesque and identity.

Lahemaa is also referred to as the “Land of Bays”, featuring picturesque bogs, stony and sandy shores, cliff forests, old-growth forests, pine forests, and rivers. Tourists will enjoy the scenic views through the area’s historical, architectural, and geological monuments. It is one of Europe’s most significant conservation areas that host large mammals such as brown bears, boars, moose, foxes, and lynxes. Different species of birds also inhabit the area like the Black Woodpecker, Ural Owl, and the Common Crane.

Estonia Wonder of Nature: Keila Watefall

Estonians call it the “Keila juga”; the Keila Waterfall is located in the northern part of Estonia’s Keila River. After the Narva Waterfall and the Jägala Waterfall, Keila is the third largest and most powerful waterfalls throughout Estonia, measuring at 6m (20 ft.) high and 70m (230 ft.) wide.

A newly-renovated hydroelectric power plant appears on the waterfall. Tourists will also find the grandest manor house in the vicinity, one that is Neo-Gothic-inspired. A 3-km (1.8 mile) nature trail is also great for hikers to explore the area’s exciting landscape. As one of Northern Estonia’s undisputed pearls, visitors are offered to witness the waterfall’s 360-degree aerial panorama through thrilling aerial activities.

Estonia Nature Attraction: Jagala Waterfall

Named by the Estonians as the “Jägala juga” is also the famous Jägala Waterfall located on the Jägala River in Northern Estonia, and among Estonia’s picturesque waterfalls. It measures at 8 meters (26 ft.) in height and 50 meters (164 ft.) wide. It is also the widest, natural waterfall in the region. Jägala Waterfall runs about 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) before flowing through the Gulf of Finland.

It offers an atypical sight during the winter season as the water mass freezes in cold weather and becomes a glistening ice wall, along with large icicles. A tunnel may be formed during the cold season, appearing to be surrounded with ice hanging in between the waterfall’s edge and the waterfall’s wall. Fishing is famous within Jägala River’s lower course, because the mouth of the river is rich in salmon and large trout resources.

Natural Wonder of Estonia: Valaste Waterfall

Known as the “Valaste juga” is Estonia’s highest waterfall, measuring at 30 meters (98 ft.). The Valaste Waterfall is located between Valaste and Ontika Limestone Cliff and flows through the 1,100-kilometer (684 miles) famous Baltic Klint, which runs from Sweden’s island of Öland towards Russia’s Lake Ladoga. It is one of the famous attractions in the region for its spectacular view during the winter. Visitors can pass through a double-spiral staircase, getting down the cliff, with a viewing platform at the waterfalls opposite side.

During the spring and high water seasons, the waterfall showcases its rebellious side. During the summer, tourists will be amazed with the groundwater oozing out from and between different layers. The scenic spot is most ideal to visit during the winter season as the view combines the northerly winds that blow from the sea, while the sprinkles of water tend to create an ice castle through the trees.

Vilsandi National Park

Approximately two-thirds of the Vilsandi National Park is a magnificent combination of the sea, plus over 150 islets, islands, and rocks. It is one of the biggest resting places of gray seals, while thousands of freshwater birds or waterfowl winter stop by at a certain period. The park is very rich in sea birds, including the Barnacle Goose, Common Eider, Turnstone, and White-Tailed Eagle. The very rare Steller’s Eider also rests here.

Plant species found in the area include 30 kinds of orchids and the endemic plant species Ivy that grows on the juniper-covered forests and landscapes. The Loona Manor complex is the park’s center that showcases fossils, and offers film-viewing about the region’s local nature and sea life. During the summer season, hiking is organized every single day as well as bicycle rides that tourists can surely enjoy doing, while touring the entire park.