A Road Trip Through Forests And Wetlands: The Best Of Estonia

Estonia is an extremely green country and home to many popular national parks where you can hike in majestic forests, walk around mystical wetlands, and simply relax in peaceful nature and free your mind. If you are a fan of nature, this road trip is exactly what you are looking for.

Overview

Total distance (approximate): 580 km (360 miles)

Total driving time (approximate): 8 hours

Recommended number of days traveling: 5+ days

Best for: Families and nature fans

Day 1: Matsalu National Park

Distance: 117 km (72 miles) from Tallinn

Travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Matsalu National Park is one of the best places in Europe for birdwatching and there are over 250 birds species recorded in the park. Birdwatching towers are built throughout the park for visitors’ convenience. Nature in the park is typical flat Estonian fields with some stunning forests and rivers. There is also the Baltic Sea along the western part of the park, making Matsalu one of the top destinations in Estonia.

Day 2: Soomaa National Park

Distance: 148 km (91 miles)

Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Soomaa National Park is full of wetlands and rivers, so be prepared to walk in bogs, come across some beavers on a special Beaver Trail, and even do some kayaking. Some guided tours even offer kayaking trips during the night under the full moon, which is definitely an exciting way to experience Estonian nature. Soomaa National Park is a must-visit for people who love nature, especially wetlands and forests.

Day 3: Emajõe-Suursoo Nature Reserve

Distance: 162 km (100 miles)

Travel time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Emajõe-Suursoo Nature Reserve is the best place to see the beautiful marshlands of Estonia. The area of those marshlands reaches 25,000 hectares, making it the biggest delta marshlands in the country. On top of that, Emajõe-Suursoo Nature Reserve is located near the magical Lake Peipus, so the visitors can enjoy the stunning scenery of the lake and see many different water habitats.

Day 4: Puhatu Nature Reserve

Distance: 160 km (100 miles)

Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes

The 2-hour journey to Puhatu Nature Reserve should not take long, because most of the time you will be driving through the wilderness by Lake Peipus. In terms of the reserve, it is rich with flora and fauna – there are over 21 protected species of plants in Puhatu Nature Reserve, and it is also home to many mammals and birds. The visitors can walk on a special study trail surrounded by bogs and forests and accompanied by three different kinds of eagles that live in the reserve. It is definitely a must-visit place if you want to fully grasp the beauty of Estonian nature.

Day 5: Lahemaa National Park

Distance: 147 km (92 miles)

Travel time: 2 hours

Finish your road trip through Estonian nature in Lahemaa National Park, where you can encounter many different mammals, including moose, beavers, and lynxes. Lahemaa National Park is extremely versatile, so visitors can choose if they want to hike in mystical Estonian forests, walk on a trail surrounded by bogs and wetlands, spend a day relaxing by the Baltic Sea on sandy beaches or visit the biggest waterfall in Estonia, Jagala Falls.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

View Offers