The most beautiful natural sites to discover Estonia

The 7,2 m water waterfalls (the highest in Estonia) have, for centuries, smoothed the shorelines in limestone, shaping the landscape, and created a valley of 12 to 14 m deep, 300 m long. The oldest written writing about a water mill in Estonia (early th century) already cited this place. Even before this period, it appears that this place was a former place of worship. 

This stunning statue of a soldier inscribed in his stone background in 1947 was originally a memorial to Soviet soldiers who were missing during World War II. For years, Estonians regarded this monument as the symbol of occupation. As times changed, the text accompanying what remains, however, a Soviet monument, changed. «To those who fell during the Second World War». Russians living in Estonia continue to bloom a monument that is for them a tomb of the unknown Soldier, in memory of fallen relatives. In April 2007, this monument referred to him and was the cause of many disorders. On the night of 26 April, the Estonian authorities began work on the exhumation and identification of the remains of the Soviet soldiers buried in front of the memorial to the Soldier Soldier in the city centre. For Moscow and the Russian minority of Estonia, which represents a quarter of the population, the monument symbolizes victory over Nazism during World war II. Most Estonians are mainly a painful reminder of nearly 50 years of Soviet occupation of the country, which became independent in 1991 before joining the European Union and NATO in 2004. As a result, hundreds of people were then taken to the streets of Tallinn on the evening of 27 to protest against the government's decision. Almost 500 people, including more than 100 minors, were arrested in new clashes between police forces and opponents of dismantling.

To the south-east of Riguldi, turn right towards Haeska, where the Matsalu reserve begins and where the Reserve Centre and the Reserve Museum are located, its administrative centre being in Penijõe. Refuge for swans and other thousands of birds, Matsalu, one of Europe's largest natural sanctuaries, covers 400 km ². The reserve was established in 1958, its ornithological research centre in 1970. On the peninsula of Puhtulaid, south of the reserve, an observation tower will allow you to admire the migration of many bird species. You can stay in Puhtu (book in advance Tel. 477 8755).

Observation towers also exist in Penijõe, Kloostri and Haeska. In the villages of Matsalu, Haeska and Penijÿe, guesthouses are found. In all cases, it is better to inform the possibilities before leaving, either at the tourist centre De or, even better (if one is not already on the spot), at the Ecotourism Association of Estonia, whose centre is in Tallinn.

At the entrance to the reserve, on the road that returns to Tallinn, the Kasari bridge crosses the river of the same name, the powerful flow, which flows into the bay of Matsalu.

At the southern limit of the reserve, the small town of Lihula has the ruins of a medieval castle, an Orthodox church dating back to 1889 and a memorial stone reminiscent of a th century battle during which the remnant peoples succeeded in pushing the Swedish invaders, which were later present in the region (whose fortress of Lihula represented one of the strategic points). Further south, the port of Virstu and the ferry pier for the islands of Muhu and the large island of Saaremaa.

It is the largest lake in Estonia, which forms a natural border with nearby Russia and also the 5 ^th largest in Europe. The north coast has many sandy beaches. Several very picturesque villages cross the lake, the most interesting of which are Kauksi, Mustvee and Kallaste. Peipsi Lake is, summer, suitable for bathing and many activities can be carried out: fishing, cycling, hiking, boat. In winter, the lake is frozen, sometimes it is possible to walk on the ice when the layer is thick enough. That is also where you can see fishermen in action breaking the ice and launching their line in the hope of having the hook. This practice may be dangerous to non-experienced people, and it is possible to try with one of these fishermen.

Karula National Park offers many hiking trails, characterized by forests, meadows, hilly landscapes and close to 50 lakes. Possibility to book guides and accommodations at the Visitor Centre.