Küdema – Nature, Karst and Bay

Küdema combines a protected coastal landscape with unusual karst formations. Küdema Bay is one of the deepest bays in Estonia, reaching depths of more than 20 m. At the same time, broad, shallow bays, reefs, dry meadows and springs shape the natural landscape. Several natural features therefore define the area: coastal waters and reefs, dry calcareous meadows, and a karst area where water continues to flow underground. If you would like to discover nature on Estonia’s Baltic coast not only by the water, but also in geological formations and special habitats, Küdema offers several clearly distinct themes.

Bay, Reefs and Protected Habitats

The Küdema-lahe Hoiuala protects broad, shallow bays and reefs. Küdema Bay creates a striking contrast between shallow coastal areas and depths of more than 20 m. Different coastal formations thus exist side by side in the same natural area. The Küdema hoiuala is also important for understanding the landscape: it protects dry meadows on calcareous soil that are important orchid habitats.

The Küdema-lahe nature area includes the village of Küdema and overlaps with the Küdema lahe hoiuala protected area. Species protected there include, among others, saaremaa robirohi, known in English as Saaremaa yellow rattle, soohiilakas, the marsh orchid, and jõesilm, the European river lamprey. The nature area therefore includes both protected plants of the dry meadows and an animal species associated with water bodies.

Karst Area with Sinkholes and Springs

A second aspect of Küdema is the Küdema karst area. It is a gorge with high banks that ends in a sinkhole. The sinkholes of the Küdema karst area form one of the largest suffosion features in Estonia’s karst landscape. This geological peculiarity can therefore be divided into a visible and a hidden part: the gorge and high banks contrast with the course of the water through the sinkhole and karst cavities. The term suffosion feature refers to the movement of soil material into underground cavities caused by water. Sinkholes are places where water disappears into underground cavities.

A ditch flowing from Lake Ohtja seeps into the karst cavities in the Küdema karst area. The water that seeps away there re-emerges on the other side of the beach ridges in the form of small springs. The watercourse thus continues underground before becoming visible again beyond the beach ridges. In Küdema, therefore, the landscape includes not only the bay and protected meadows, but also an underground watercourse running between the ditch, karst cavities and springs.

Nature Experiences and Orientation

The Küdema karst area is easily accessible. The educational programme “Uurimisretk Saaremaa karstialadel” visits the Küdema karst area.

Nearby, the Panga maastikukaitseala borders the area of Küdema Bay; this area belongs to the Küdema-lahe Hoiuala. If you would like to compare Küdema with places in the wider surrounding area, you can also include Ninase, Tagaranna and Rahtla in your orientation.

For the broader travel overview: Mustjala.