Matsalu National Park

Matsalu National Park (also know as Matsalu rahvuspark) is a 486 km² park in Estonia comprising Matsalu Bay, Kasari River delta and the surrounding areas. Located in both Pärnu and Lääne Counties it's considered one of the most important wetland bird areas in Europe (due to its position on the East Atlantic Flyway) and it's also home of endangered species like white-tailed eagle or the natterjack toad.

How do I arrive to Matsalu National Park?

 The area is as hard to reach by public transportation but going by car is easier because it's on the way to Muhu and Saaremaa islands.

• Car: to reach the National Park you can drive to Penijõe from Virtsu (aprox. 20 minutes), Haapsalu (aprox. 40 minutes), Rohuküla (aprox. 45 minutes), Pärnu (aprox. 45 minutes) or Tallinn (aprox. 1 hour 30 minutes).

 Once in the Park the best ways to move around the park are the car or simply walking.

History

Scientific research begun around 1870 when a curator of the Natural History Museum of the University of Tartu gave a short overview of birds near Matsalu Bay. Between 1928 and 1936 the Estonian doctor in biology Eerik Kumari researched birds in Matsalu, promoting the creating of a bird protection area. In 2004 Matsalue Nature Reserve, along with surrounding areas, became Matsalu National Park.

What can I visit in Matsalu National Park?

These are some things to do in this National Park, explained now according to the village where they are or the nearest one:     

• Penijõe (Pennijöggi in German): 2 inhabitants village in the southern part of the National Park in Pärnu County. 
  • Matsalu National Park Visitor Center (9-17 Mon-Fri, 10-18 Sat-Sun from Apr to Sep; 9-17 Mon-Fri from Jan to Apr): visitor center where getting information of Matsalu and learn the unique character of the National Park with its meadows reed beds or forest stands. There's a a video with an overview of the inhabitants of the National Park.
  • Penijõe Hiking Trail (5.8 km): trail with various lengths that indtroduces to the characteristic landscape of Matsalu National Park and its flora and fauna. On a point in the route it can be enjoyed the views of reed beds between the delta branches of Kasari River in Penijõe Observation Tower.
  • Close to the village are located the Ruins of the Cloister Manor. These medieval ruins of a manor were founded as an economic manor of Lihula Cistercian Nunnery that after the Livonian War, belonged to the Swedish state (then the family of Johann von Derfelden). Not far from here it can be enjoyed the views from Kloostri Observation Tower.
• Lihula (Leal in German): small town with 1,189 inhabitants in the border of the national park.
  
  • Lihula Castle Ruins: remains of the Bishop's Castle of Lihula, a 13th century fortress that was see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leal (until it was suppressed in 1235 to establish the Diocese of Dorpat). The castle was destroyed during the Livonian Wars..
  • Lihula Lutheran Church: Neo-Gothic church, first built in the 13th century, whose current building dates back to the 1870s. It has an organ by Carl August Tanton from 1845.
  • Lihula Manor and Museum: manor completed by 1645 that hass belonged to several Baltic German families. Today it works as a local history museum.
    
• Kirikuküla: 24 inhabitants village in Pärnu County and begining of Suitsu hiking trail (1.3 km), a trail that runs in parallel with Suitsu River flood meadow and where enjoying the rich wildlife of the park. On this route you can have great views from Suitsu Observation Tower.
  
• Salevere, a 5 people village, has a interesting route, Salevere Hiking Trail (1.5 km) that runs along an alvar forest and cliff towers above a nemoral forest (quite rare type of forest in Estonia)
  
• The National Park has other observation deck like Keemu Observation Tower, located in the little port of Keemu with views of the islets locatedd in Matsalu bay or Rannajõe Observation Tower in the village of Rannajõe. 
• There is a hiking route named RMK Penijõe-Aegviidu-Kauksi hiking route/Penijõe-Varbola (84 km) that goes from the Visitor Center of Matsalue National Park till reaching Varbola, formed by Meelva-Penijõe Route (22 km) and Penijõe-Laiküla Route (21 km) within the national park.
  

Meadows of Kasari River

Matsalu Bay

Where can I eat in Matsalu National Park?

This National Park has almost no places to eat so it's a good idea bringing food.

Posted in: Estonia,Europe,National Park