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:

Saare study trail

The Saare study trail is located on the border of Silma Nature Reserve. The hiking trail, which begins at the Sutlepa car park, is equipped with an observation platform and an observation tower. In the spring, you can admire thousands of waterfowl, and on the information boards, you will find information on the values of the Silma Nature Reserve.

Saare küla / Lyckholm, Lääne-Nigula vald

Marimetsa Bog Hiking Trail

The first part of the trail is a dirt road that runs along the high-voltage power line. The track then reaches the Marimetsa Brook and leads to the rest area along the banks of the brook. From there, a boardwalk will take you to Marimetsa Bog. There is a viewing tower at the end of the trail (7.6 metres high). In Marimetsa Bog, you will see a fen, a transition bog, a raised bog, and a number of different birds and plants. The length of the trail is 9 kilometres of which 2 × 2 kilometres is a boardwalk. You should plan 4–5 hours for the hike. The trail is wet at places – make sure to bring your rubber boots. There is a dry toilet on the track, benches for resting, and an information board with a map and a scheme of the trail.

Rõuma küla, Lääne-Nigula vald

Gulf `Tagalaht` and birdwatching tower in Haapsalu promenade

For most of the year the Gulf Tagalaht in Haapsalu is an exciting place for birdwatching. There is no need to leave town, simply visit the 15-metre high birdwatching tower on the Promenade. When visiting the tower you will get a full overview of birdlife in the area between Haapsalu and Noarootsi. When the ice breaks in April and May, the gulf is filled with swans and different types of ducks. In autumn – in September and October – it is interesting to witness the departure of geese and cranes.

Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu, Promenaadi tänav 3

Lagleranna hiking trail

A boardwalk leads you from Altmõisa guesthouse in Lääne County through marshy meadows of juniper bushes and reeds. The hike to the seaside and back takes no more than an hour, if you don’t forget yourself watching the swans glide by and the sun sink below the horizon. The hiking trail showcases the surrounding flora, with information boards describing what you see from the boardwalk.

Tuuru küla, Haapsalu

Snowshoe hikes in Marimetsa bog

Marimetsa bog, typically to Western Estonia, does not have a lot of trees. At the same time, there are many bog ponds characteristic of Eastern Estonia. Together, it offers a pleasant mix of bouncy soil, large bog ponds, and open bogs. A hike in Marimetsa bog is especially suitable for those who are interested in nature. Marimetsa bog is also known for its abundance of birds. The most significant representative of the rich bog and forest bird life nesting in the Marimetsa nature reserve is probably the bald eagle. The abundance of Charadriiformes is especially striking. The sample price is for groups of 12 or more people. Ask for a price if you have a smaller group!

Palivere alevik, Lääne-Nigula vald

Salajõe karst area and rest stop

The largest karst area in Lääne County is just a few kilometres from Linnamägi, in the direction of Sutlepa. It is around 600 metres long and 100 metres wide. Around 1.5 kilometres of Salajõgi River flows into Haapsalu Bay below ground. Its source is in the springs south-west of the road, from where it flows as the Tiberna River. During dry periods, only a few litres of water per second flows in Salajõgi River. During high water, however, the water reaches the highway, filling the karst valley and forming a lake. There are two large Gneissbretsa boulders just off the Salajõe–Ingküla road, called the Kasemetsa and Allika Boulders. The largest of the two stands 3.9 metres tall, while the smaller stands 3.4 metres tall.

Vedra küla, Lääne-Nigula vald