National Parks

Taking a walk around a national park benefits both your body and mind and improves well being. Not only can it build muscles and help you lose weight, but it can also enhance creativity and control stress and anxiety, so get out into Estonia's National Parks and explore!  

Lahemaa National Park, located about 70 kilometres east of Tallinn, Estonia's capital, covers about 725 km², including 250.9 km² of seawater. It was the Soviet Union's first national park and is one of the biggest in Europe. Lahemaa, referred to as the 'Land of Bays' features numerous picturesque bogs, stony and sandy beaches, cliff forests, pine forests, and rivers. 

The area, used for the research and preservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and national heritage and there are four manor houses located within the park, including the Vihula, Palmse, Kolga, and Sagadi, each symbolizing it's own unique picturesque and identity. In terms of wildlife, there are many large mammals including brown bears, wild boar, moose, foxes, and lynxes, many species of birds also inhabit the area including the Black Woodpecker, Ural Owl, and the Common Crane.

There is also the Vilsandi National Park, which is composed of over 150 islets, islands, and rocks. It is home to many grey seals, and the park is very rich in sea birds, including the Barnacle Goose, Common Eider, Turnstone, White-Tailed Eagle and the very rare Steller's Eider. There are 30 kinds of orchids and endemic plant species of Ivy that grow on the juniper-covered forests and landscapes. There is also the Loona Manor complex is the park's centre that showcases fossils, and offers film-viewing about the region's local nature and sea life. During the summer there are guided hikes and bike rides available.

Waterfalls

Estonia also has some fantastic waterfalls, which are not only beautiful to look at, but also make us feel good too! The vitamins in the water and the spray give off negative ions, which we take in as positive energy. Once the negative ions reach our bloodstream, they are said to increase our bodies' production of serotonin, which is the chemical responsible for relieving stress and depression, and for boosting our energy and happiness!

The Jägala Waterfall is a waterfall in Northern Estonia is on the Jägala River and is the highest natural waterfall in Estonia at about 8 meters. In winter the waterfall turns into ice and is stunning. Jägala Waterfall runs about 4 kilometres (2.4 miles) before flowing through the Gulf of Finland.

There is also the Keila Waterfall is situated about 25 km south-west of Tallinn, near the village of Keila, located on the Keila River in Harju County. The waterfall lies where the river descends from the Klint plateau into a small bay. Keila Waterfall is 6 meters high and 60 meters wide. 

Finally, Valaste Waterfall, located on Valaste stream near the Baltic coast, at 30 meters high it is the highest waterfall in the entire Baltic region but is not a natural fall, but formed by directing the water of Kaasikvälja Main Ditch down the 54 meters high Klint escarpment. It is a popular tourist destination in the summer and winter when nature creates the ice kingdom. 

Ferries to Estonia 

Visit NetFerry and discover the ferry routes to Estonia including Mulga, Paldiski and Tallinn. The Netferry booking site allows you to save your quote and confirm the ticket a few days later. Netferry always helps you find the boat or ferry to best suit your needs. Rates, times and ports of departure and arrival are just a few clicks away with Netferry.

Netferry: a sea of ferries await you!