Estonia: Adventure Holidays with a Nordic twist

Mark Pawlak    ash     4x4 driving holidays, canoeing, cycling, Estonia, kayaking holidays, mountainbiking, off-road, trekking, Windsurfing

With new routes opening all the time, Estonia is seeing a massive upsurge in visitors. And the director of the Estonian tourist board recently made it clear that much of the attraction is because of the country’s unspoilt countryside.

But what’s this republic really got to offer the adventure traveller? Here’s an intro to what’s to be found in Estonia and some destinations worth considering.

Introducing Estonia

The most northerly of neighbours Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, this country sits on the south side of the Gulf of Finland and is strongly influenced by Nordic culture. Independent since 1991, it’s slowly developing into a tourist magnet – so far it’s been its capital, Tallinn, that’s drawn most of the attention. A popular weekend break/stag do destination, this enchanting city is actually the front for a European adventure destination that’s slowly revealing its true potential…

Town Hall Square in Tallinn. Image: Jaak Nilson/ Enterprise Estonia

Tallinn

The capital is a fantastically preserved medieval city (European Capital of Culture, 2011) and it’s from here many of the more popular activities are organised. With so much uninhabited land around, it’s little surprise that off-road driving and Lada racing are local favourites.

Tallinn’s a great base camp for further adventures, but to see just what’s on offer, we’d recommend you use the national parks as your stepping stones.

Matsalu National Park

On the west coast of Estonia, fringed by the Gulf of Riga, you’ll find the Matsalu National Park. Best suited to wildlife viewing, this park has plenty of wolves and elk (both rarely found in the rest of Europe) and there are also plenty of opportunities for cycling.

Karula National Park

The smallest of the country’s national parks, it’s still a prime spot for trekking holidays. There are few hills to speak off, so the going is quick between campsites. Start you wanderings at the visitor centre near Lake Ähijärv and keep your eyes peeled for wild boar, deer and the allusive lynx.

Windsurfing in Estonia. Image: Jarek Jõepera/ Enterprise Estonia

Lahemaa National Park

If you choose to base yourselves in Tallinn, you’ll probably be tempted by this, the country’s largest national park.

As well as 70 km2 of wilderness to wander, you’ve 3 km of beaches as the park reaches right to the coast – that’s once you’ve crossed the sand dunes. There’s good sailing and windsurfing in Estonia, and this popular holiday resort is a good place to get some wind in your sails.

And if you are looking to travel to Estonia in winter, you’ll find plenty of snowboarding and skiing opportuniities. And thanks to the untouched natural expanses, there’s naturally miles and miles of cross-country skiing routes.

Canoeing and kayaking holidays are also well served; inland rivers snake through Estonia’s national parks and both the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Riga allow for coastal paddling trips.

(Estonia also recently hosted an international in-line skating event featuring and one of the world’s biggest ever in-line skating marathons!)

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 194 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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