Hiking along the coast in Estonia
One of my favorite places to hike is along the coast. Sandy beaches, sparse pine forests by the shore, views of the sea… There is something about them that keeps drawing me back to the seaside. Estonia offers an excellent opportunity to experience this. Considering how long and accessible our coastline is, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. So where should you start?
Those who prefer some structure, a plan, and a sense of achievement could take on
Baltic Coastal Hiking Route
which is part of the European long-distance hiking trail E9. The Estonian section is approximately 620 kilometers long. The trail is divided into 60 one-day sections, so you do not have to complete the entire route at once. You can choose a suitable section based on your available time, physical fitness, and interests.
It is a great option for people who want to be part of something bigger but do not actually have the time to spend weeks on the trail.
Proper preparation is a key to success in hiking.
Before setting off on a coastal hike, the most important thing is to do some proper preparation. The most information can be found on the official website of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (link below), where different sections of the trail are described, including their length, duration, difficulty level, starting and finishing points, and possible obstacles. GPX files can also be downloaded there and used for navigation with a phone or GPS device. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route can be completed in either direction, and each daily section can also be hiked separately.
The trail descriptions also provide information about the type of terrain and potentially more challenging sections. Several parts of the route run along sandy beaches for quite a long distance, but if walking on sand becomes too tiring, it is usually possible to continue through the nearby forest instead.
What about transportation?
There is, however, one small “but” when it comes to these hikes: how do you get to the starting or finishing point? Traveling by public transport often requires careful planning, as it may not be possible to reach your destination by bus when you are far from larger settlements. You can go by car, of course, but then how do you get back to your car? One solution I have used is to leave my car at the finishing point, take a bus to the starting point, and then hike back to my car. This way, I do not have to worry about catching a bus by a certain time in order to get back to my car—I can simply arrive when I arrive.
In conclusion, hiking along the coast is a great way to discover Estonia’s nature, but thoughtful planning is essential for an enjoyable hike. The most important steps are to choose a route that matches your abilities, familiarize yourself with the trail and possible obstacles, check the weather, plan your transport, food, and accommodation, and bring appropriate equipment. Once the preparation is done, you can spend more time enjoying the sea, nature, and interesting places along the way, making your coastal hike a safe and memorable experience.
You can find more information about the route here:
