Foot-and-mouth, a severe animal disease, is currently circulating in Europe and also poses a threat to animals in Estonia. Your help is needed to prevent animals here – sheep, cattle, goats, and other ungulates – from becoming infected. We ask that you please follow some important recommendations.
Viidumäe Nature Reserve is located in the western part of Saaremaa, in the vicinity of the ancient Antsülusjärve escarpment. This is the oldest and highest part of the Saaremaa island, with its top height 59 metres over the sea level. On the escarpment a number of biotopes characteristic of western Saaremaa can be found. The hiking trail starts and ends at the parking area near the office of Viidumäe Nature Reserve.
Parking
Parking for 5 cars and a tour bus at the start of the trail.
Amenities
The trail passes the plant communities and forest types characteristic of western Saaremaa uplands. You can cross the rich fen area on boardwalk, there is a large information board near the restored wooded grassland.
Sights
The trail passes the communities characteristic of western Saaremaa uplands—several forest types, rich fen, restored wooded grassland.
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
Located in Viidumäe Nature Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
Contact
Telephone: +372 454 6880 +372 527 7421
E-mail: info.vilsandi@rmk.ee
Object type: study trail
Location info
Location : Saare County, Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Saaremaa municipality
Navigation instructions : Drive 73 km on Kuivastu–Kuressaare road, turn right onto the Kuressaare roundabout and drive 2.8 km to the next roundabout, exit towards Kihelkonna. Drive 12.6 km on Kuressaare–Kihelkonna–Veere road and turn left onto Käesla–Karala–Loona road. Drive 8.9 km and turn right, following the sign to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on gravel road and turn right to the small parking area which marks the start of two trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve—the Audaku hiking trail and the Viidumäe study trail.
Drive 73 km on Kuivastu–Kuressaare road, turn right onto the Kuressaare roundabout and drive 2.8 km to the next roundabout, exit towards Kihelkonna. Drive 12.6 km on Kuressaare–Kihelkonna–Veere road and turn left onto Käesla–Karala–Loona road. Drive 8.9 km and turn right, following the sign to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on gravel road and turn right to the small parking area which marks the start of two trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve—the Audaku hiking trail and the Viidumäe study trail.
VõimalusedPuhkekohtVaatetornMaintenance during summerParkimine
Saare County, Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Attention!
Foot-and-mouth, a severe animal disease, is currently circulating in Europe and also poses a threat to animals in Estonia. Your help is needed to prevent animals here – sheep, cattle, goats, and other ungulates – from becoming infected. We ask that you please follow some important recommendations.
The former forest watch tower, nearly 30 m high, on Raunamägi hill in the highest part of Saaremaa.
Parking
Parking for a tour bus or 3 cars.
Amenities
The parking space, benches and picnic table
Sights
Enjoy the stunning views over the entire western part of the Saaremaa Island from the observation tower on the Rauna hill, the highest peak along the “backbone” of the island (54 m above sea level).
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
6 visitors are allowed in the observation tower at the same time. Children are allowed in the tower only under adult supervision.
Located in Viidumäe Nature Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
Contact
Telephone: +372 454 6880 +372 527 7421
E-mail: info.vilsandi@rmk.ee
Object type: observation tower
Location info
Location : Saare County, Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Lümanda village, Saaremaa municipality
Navigation instructions : Drive from Kuivastu on Road no. 10 to the Kuressaare roundabout and turn right. Drive 4 km to the next roundabout and exit onto Road no. 78. Drive 13 km to the junction towards Lümanda and turn left, drive 9 km to the Viidu bus stop and turn right onto the gravel road to Viidu village. Drive 2 km to the observation tower to your left.
Drive from Kuivastu on Road no. 10 to the Kuressaare roundabout and turn right. Drive 4 km to the next roundabout and exit onto Road no. 78. Drive 13 km to the junction towards Lümanda and turn left, drive 9 km to the Viidu bus stop and turn right onto the gravel road to Viidu village. Drive 2 km to the observation tower to your left.
Foot-and-mouth, a severe animal disease, is currently circulating in Europe and also poses a threat to animals in Estonia. Your help is needed to prevent animals here – sheep, cattle, goats, and other ungulates – from becoming infected. We ask that you please follow some important recommendations.
The “backbone” of the Saaremaa Island is the highest and oldest part of the island which began to emerge about 10,000 years ago. The coastal escarpment has been preserved at the height of 18 m to the present day. Viidumäe Nature Reserve is home to over 660 species of vascular plants, among which 59 rare species are under protection in Estonia. The most famous of these is the endemic Rhinanthus osiliensis, a species of rattle. The escarpment is surrounded by a belt of springs, 70 to 80 according to the count. In some places crooked oak trees grow in the understory of pine forests. Bogs and fens cover about 10% of the nature reserve.
The trail starts at Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre in Viidu, 28 km from Kuressaare.
Parking
Parking for 5 cars or a tour bus at the start of the trail.
Amenities
Information board, arrow signs, points of interest
Sights
Several forest types, species under protection
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
Located in Viidumäe Nature Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
Contact
Telephone: +372 454 6880 +372 527 7421
E-mail: info.vilsandi@rmk.ee
Object type: study trail
Location info
Location : Saare County, Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Saaremaa municipality
Navigation instructions : Drive 73 km on Kuivastu–Kuressaare road, turn right onto the Kuressaare roundabout and drive 2.8 km to the next roundabout, exit towards Kihelkonna. Drive 12.6 km on Kuressaare–Kihelkonna–Veere road and turn left onto Käesla–Karala–Loona road. Drive 8.9 km and turn right, following the sign to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on gravel road and turn right to the small parking area which marks the start of two trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve—the Audaku hiking trail and the Viidumäe study trail.
Drive 73 km on Kuivastu–Kuressaare road, turn right onto the Kuressaare roundabout and drive 2.8 km to the next roundabout, exit towards Kihelkonna. Drive 12.6 km on Kuressaare–Kihelkonna–Veere road and turn left onto Käesla–Karala–Loona road. Drive 8.9 km and turn right, following the sign to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on gravel road and turn right to the small parking area which marks the start of two trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve—the Audaku hiking trail and the Viidumäe study trail.
Foot-and-mouth, a severe animal disease, is currently circulating in Europe and also poses a threat to animals in Estonia. Your help is needed to prevent animals here – sheep, cattle, goats, and other ungulates – from becoming infected. We ask that you please follow some important recommendations.
A varied trail offering about an hour's walk between ice-age escarpment and patches of calcareous groundwater fens. The trail is marked with wooden signs and blue paint marks on trees.
Parking
Parking for one big or three small buses or five cars in the parking area at the information board.
Amenities
Stairs take the visitors down the terrace. Near Allikasoo fen and petrifying springs there are view platforms and information boards introducing the area; boardwalks help visitors over the excessively wet fen patches.
Hiking Options
Available
Sights
The trail is in Viidumäe Nature Reserve; it goes down the nearly 18-metre escarpment at Lake Ancylus. At the foot of the escarpment there are calcareous spring fens, which emerged after the Ice Age. Thanks to favourable conditions, rich natural diversity and unique vegetation has developed in the nature reserve. Many protected vascular plants grow here, including the Saaremaa yellow rattle, Rhinanthus osiliensis, which grows exclusively in Saaremaa. Possible to visit the permanent exhibition in Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre.
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
Located in Viidumäe Nature Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
Contact
Telephone: +372 454 6880 +372 527 7421
E-mail: info.vilsandi@rmk.ee
Object type: study trail
Location info
Location : Saare County, Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Viidu village, Saaremaa municipality
Navigation instructions : Drive 12.6 km along Kuressaare-Kihelkonna-Veere road and turn left to Käesla-Karala-Loona road. Drive 8.9 km up to a sign that directs to the right to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on the gravel road, then turn right and continue until you arrive at a small parking area. The parking area is the start of all the three trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve.
Drive 12.6 km along Kuressaare-Kihelkonna-Veere road and turn left to Käesla-Karala-Loona road. Drive 8.9 km up to a sign that directs to the right to Viidumäe Nature Reserve Centre. Drive 2.3 km on the gravel road, then turn right and continue until you arrive at a small parking area. The parking area is the start of all the three trails introducing Viidumäe Nature Reserve.
