Ida-Viru: Discover the Baltic Coast, Bogs and Mining Culture

Baltic Coast, Cliffs and Quiet Bogs

Ida-Viru combines the coast of the Gulf of Finland with cliffs, bogs, forests and a distinctive mining history. For you, this means a choice between long days on the beach, peaceful hiking landscapes and unusual insights into Estonia’s industrial past. The beach at Narva-Jõesuu stretches for almost ten kilometres along the sea and is bordered by pine forest. The shallow water extends far out from the shore and makes for pleasant swimming for families with children.

Hiking Trails through Varied Landscapes

For active days, Ida-Viru offers several clearly distinct routes. The Kurtna hiking trail follows the shores of eleven lakes and offers opportunities for swimming and fishing. On the eight-kilometre Kotka hiking trail, a shorter 1.5-kilometre section can also be walked in the Rüütli bog; the trail also includes 300 metres of wooden boardwalk, three footbridges and twelve information boards. The Aidu hiking trail runs through the excavation area of a disused quarry, over high embankment slopes and past flooded excavation sites. One of these areas is crossed by ferry. The circular trail begins and ends at the Aidu-Nõmme campfire site and is marked blue on the trees. In Selisoo, a hiking trail leads through transitional bog, open raised bog and wooded bog. The Poruni hiking trail offers either a ten-kilometre round trip or a 2.5-kilometre circular route through primeval forest along the Poruni River to the Narva River and back.

Cliffs, Waterfalls and Coastal Views

The highest section of the North Estonian Klint, reaching up to 55.6 metres in height, lies in the Ontika Landscape Protection Area. The 26.1-metre-high Valaste Waterfall is also located there and is described as Estonia’s highest waterfall. The 1.5-kilometre Valaste nature trail provides information about the natural features associated with the North Estonian Klint and the cliff forests; in the Pangametsa natural area, there is a viewing platform and stairs at the waterfall. The multi-tiered Kivisilla Waterfall is also accessible, and a staircase leads down from its base to the seashore. The motocross centre at Kiviõli Adventure Centre has Estonia’s first World Championship track, measuring 1,950 metres in length with an elevation difference of 26 metres.

Museums, Monastery and Mining History

The cultural side ranges from regional history to the present-day oil shale industry. The permanent exhibition at the Iisaku Parish Museum is dedicated to the culture of the Votes, who have historically shaped Alutaguse; a natural history section displays stuffed animals and birds from the region. The Sillamäe Museum presents the city’s history in six exhibition halls. The mineral room explores the formation of dolomite, limestone and granite in Estonia, and you can also view gemstones. The Estonian Mining Museum explains the journey of oil shale, energy production and future developments in the energy sector in a processing plant. Its crash course is a 1.5-hour underground tour that goes eight metres deep into the tunnels and includes mining equipment as well as a ride on an underground mining train.

Founded in 1891, Kuremäe Convent is the only Russian Orthodox nunnery in Estonia that is still operating today. Visitors can bathe at the Holy Spring. Guided tours of the churches in the convent complex can be booked with the nuns, as these areas are otherwise closed to the public.

Starting Point and Regional Orientation

Narva is approximately two hours and 20 minutes from Tallinn by train. From there, Sillamäe, Narva-Jõesuu, the Estonian Mining Museum and Oru Park can be reached by bus as day trips. Depending on your preferred mix of coast, nature and culture, you can search specifically for a hotel in Ida-Viru.

Further points of regional orientation include Sonda, Tudulinna, Aseri, Jõhvi, Aseri, Avinurme, Illuka, Alajõe, Vaivara, Lohusuu, Kalvi, Kohtla Parish, Kohtla-Järve, Mäetaguse, Lüganuse, Maidla Parish, Toila Parish, Toila, Mäetaguse and Jõhvi. Kiviõli is also among the regional destinations to choose from.