Public Transport to Estonia’s Nature
Text Mikko Virta Photos Andrei Chertkov, Mikko Virta, Tatiana Metsala
The bird paradise of Matsalu opens up spectacularly from the Keemu Bird Tower. Keemu can be easily reached from Lihula by local bus, whose terminus is beside the tower.
Kabli Village and Nature Trail
Located south of Pärnu, the village of Kabli is an ideal destination for a day trip, and is easily accessible without a car. Along the coast of the Gulf of Riga, visitors can enjoy beautiful sea views, and climb the observation tower located beside the Kabli Bird Station. Kabli is an excellent destination for bird enthusiasts, particularly during migration seasons. Bird-ringing activities at the station are busiest in autumn.
From the bird station, visitors can follow a nature trail to the Kabli Nature Centre, which features an interesting exhibition about the region’s natural environment. Part of the trail near the centre is accessible. While in Kabli, it is also worth stopping by the village shop, which is known for its delicious baked goods.
How to get there: Kabli can be reached from Pärnu by bus EL74-1. The same route also serves several other interesting nature destinations, including Häädemeeste, Võiste, and the Tolkus Bog Nature Trail.
Matsalu National Park
Matsalu National Park, south of Haapsalu, is a paradise for birdwatchers. Many of its sites are accessible by public transport. From Haapsalu, the easiest option is to take a local bus to the Puise Peninsula, a year-round birdwatching destination. During migration seasons, the narrow peninsula attracts large numbers of migrating songbirds, while summer specialties include species such as barred warblers and pied avocets. Next to the Puise bus stop is a low observation tower overlooking the peninsula and the sea. Before reaching the tip of the peninsula, visitors can stop at the Põgari coastal meadow, which hosts numerous waders and waterfowl during migration. In autumn, large flocks of cranes gather there.
Another easily accessible destination is the Keemu Bird Tower on the southern shore of Matsalu Bay. The bus terminates right next to the tower, making it easy to reach from Lihula. During migration seasons, visitors can observe thousands of geese, cranes and ducks on Matsalu Bay. Within walking distance is the village of Matsalu, which is also worth visiting. Buses can also be boarded at the Matsalu stop.
How to get there: The Puise Peninsula can be reached from Haapsalu by bus 29, with a short transfer in Kiideva village. The bus stop near the tip of the peninsula is called Puise nina. For Põgari Meadow, use the Põgari-Sassi stop.
Keemu can be reached from Lihula by buses L18 and L18-1. Lihula is served by numerous buses from Tallinn, Haapsalu, and Pärnu.
Valaste Waterfall and Toila Oru Park
Toila Oru Park is among Estonia’s most impressive parks. Its large and diverse landscape makes it an excellent destination year-round, although it is especially beautiful in summer and autumn. Visitors can enjoy a walk through the park and perhaps a picnic overlooking the scenic valley. It is also worth descending to the coast to see Toila’s beautiful rocky shoreline.
Estonia’s highest waterfall, Valaste, lies only about ten kilometres from Toila. Rising more than 30 metres, it is well worth seeing, as is the nearby Ontika Cliff, Estonia’s highest limestone escarpment. A staircase leads from the waterfall down into the forest, where a nature trail continues to the shore. The short hike rewards visitors with impressive forest scenery and a rugged rocky coastline.
How to get there: Toila Oru Park can be reached from Jõhvi Bus Station by local bus 46. The stop is Toila Oru park. Valaste Waterfall can be reached from Jõhvi by bus 45. Jõhvi itself is served several times daily by both trains and buses from Tallinn.
Alutaguse National Park and the Northern Shore of Lake Peipus
The village of Kauksi on the northern shore of Lake Peipus is a beautiful destination featuring two nature trails. The Kauksi Stream Trail passes through an old pine forest and follows the stream’s course. Views across Lake Peipus and Estonia’s longest sandy beach are particularly impressive.
The Kauksi Dune Trail forms a longer circuit extending all the way to the Rannapungerja River. The northern shore of Lake Peipus offers excellent hiking infrastructure, including campsites and picnic areas. Kauksi is also home to the Alutaguse National Park Visitor Centre, where visitors can obtain maps and local hiking advice.
Between Jõhvi and Kauksi lies the village of Iisaku. Its highest point, Iisaku Hill, features an observation tower offering views across Lake Peipus and the forests of Alutaguse. The tower is a short walk from the village centre.
How to get there: Several buses operate daily between Jõhvi and Kauksi. Long-distance buses travelling to Tartu also pass nearby.
Taevaskoda and the Piusa Caves
There is a saying in Estonia that every Estonian should visit Taevaskoda at least once in their lifetime. Located south of Tartu, Taevaskoda is certainly worth the journey. Its pale sandstone cliffs rise dramatically above the dark waters of the Ahja River.
Taevaskoda features two major sandstone outcrops: Great Taevaskoda and Small Taevaskoda. Both can be explored via a nature trail forming a circular route of several kilometres on both sides of the river. Along the trail are caves, old spruce forests and beautiful river landscapes. With some luck, visitors may even spot a kingfisher, the iconic bird associated with Taevaskoda.
Another remarkable destination is the Piusa Cave Complex, which can be reached on the same train line from Tartu. The caves were created through quartz sand mining for glass production. Today they are a popular visitor attraction where guests can learn about both the caves’ history and the lives of bats. Thousands of bats from several species hibernate here each winter, making Piusa the largest bat wintering site in the Baltic region.
The cave complex is fascinating. Light-coloured vaulted chambers rise up to five metres high, creating the atmosphere of an underground cathedral. Although visitors can no longer venture deep inside, the caves can be viewed from a dedicated observation platform. A nature trail beginning near the visitor centre introduces the area’s characteristic open pine forests.
How to get there: Taevaskoda can be reached from Tartu Bus Station by bus 99D. Another option is to take a train from Tartu to Taevaskoja station, followed by a 2.5-kilometre walk to the start of the nature trail.
Piusa can be reached directly by train from Tartu. The Piusa station is located beside the Piusa Visitor Centre.
Tallinn and Aegna Island
Tallinn has an excellent public transport network and offers easy access to nature directly from the city centre. One of the capital’s finest natural destinations is the Paljassaare Peninsula. This coastal area is ideal for walking, birdwatching or simply enjoying the scenery. Birds can be observed from two separate observation towers. Notable species include penduline tits, bearded reedlings and common moorhens. During summer, Pikakari Beach on the peninsula is one of Tallinn’s best swimming beaches. From the water’s edge, visitors can admire Tallinn’s constantly evolving skyline.
Other attractive nature destinations in Tallinn include Stroomi Beach, Kadriorg Park, the Pirita River Valley and Pääsküla Bog.
A nature excursion from Tallinn can also include Aegna Island. Aegna is an ideal day-trip destination where visitors can see all the main attractions in a single day, including a 270-metre-long stone labyrinth.
More than 80 per cent of the island is covered by forest, which often surprises first-time visitors. The northern part of Aegna features beautiful pine forests and an excellent sandy beach. Three nature trails cross the island, passing a number of sites connected to military history.
How to get there: The ferry Vegtind departs for Aegna Island from Patarei Harbour at the Linnahall pier. Tickets can be purchased in advance at sunlines.ee. The 14-kilometre sea journey takes only 30 minutes.
The Paljassaare Peninsula can be reached by bus 59 from Balti Jaam.
Comfortable and Affordable Travel by Public Transport
Tallinn Bus Station is located approximately two kilometres from the city centre. Tickets can be purchased from station ticket machines and ticket offices, or online in advance at www.tpilet.ee. Long-distance buses connect all parts of Estonia. Most coaches are modern and comfortable. For example, Lux Express buses feature entertainment screens for watching films. Bicycles can be transported free of charge on Lux Express services, but a space must be reserved in advance through the company’s website.
Regional buses serving smaller towns and villages generally make more frequent stops. Journey planning information is available at peatus.ee. Services to nature destinations may be limited, so careful planning is recommended. Tickets can be purchased from the driver using cash, or paid with an Ühiskaart travel card or contactless bank card.
Trains provide convenient connections from Tallinn to destinations including Narva, Tartu, Rakvere and Viljandi. Modern trains feature toilets, comfortable seating and internet access. Bicycles are allowed on board, but between April and October a separate bicycle ticket must be purchased. It is advisable to check availability for bicycles on the Elron website before travelling. Tickets can be purchased online at www.elron.ee, from ticket machines on board, or from conductors using contactless payment.
Tallinn’s main railway station is called Balti Jaam.
Please check the bus routes mentioned in this article on peatus.ee, as schedules and routes may change.
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