Rannametsa-Tolkuse Nature and Study Trail

• Start and finish: by the information board in the parking lot at kilometre marker 162 on Tallinn-Pärnu-Ikla road
• Parking lot: for ten cars or three buses
• Camp fire site: across the road on the Tõotusmägi Hill
• Length: 2.2 km, partially boardwalked
• Amenities: information boards in Estonian and English, resting areas, swimming spots, observation tower
• Key words: hiking, heath pine forest, dunes, sandy areas with sparse vegetation, hollows, bog pools, bog lakes, marsh
• Manager: State Forest Management Centre

The circular trail takes about 1.5–2 hours. The trail runs through the Tolkuse Bog and along the dune ridge that has an observation tower on it. The tower on the Tornimägi Hill offers a view of the sea, marsh and forests.

Rannametsa-Tolkuse nature and study trail. Photo by Merike Palginõmm

Tõotusemäe camp fire site

• Location: on the dune to the right of the parking lot at kilometre marker 162 on Tallinn-Pärnu-Ikla road
• Parking lot: for ten cars or three buses
• Amenities: benches, covered fire ring with a barbecue grid, firewood
• Manager: State Forest Management Centre

Tornimäe (Sõjamäe) observation tower

• Location: Rannametsa-Tolkuse Nature and Study Trail
• Height: 18 m
• Additional information: up to 20 people allowed in the tower at the same time
• Manager: State Forest Management Centre

Tornimäe observation tower is located on top of the dune on the Rannametsa-Tolkuse Nature and Study Trail. The tower offers an exquisite view of the sea, forests, dunes and marsh. The islands Manilaid, Sorgu and Kihnu are visible on a clear day.

Pikla coast observation tower

• Location: on Tallinn-Pärnu-Ikla road, take a right from Kaasiku bus stop towards the sea
• Parking lot: for three cars
• Height: low observation platform
• Key words: good spot for bird watching, wonderful view of the coastal sea
• Manager: State Forest Management Centre

The observation tower is good for observing different water birds during the migration period.

Species: tundra and whooper swan, Eurasian wigeon, mallard, common goldeneye, smew, bar-tailed godwit, wood sandpiper, white-tailed eagle and others.

Pikla ponds’ bird observation tower

• Location: on Tallinn-Pärnu-Ikla road, take a right from Kaasiku bus stop towards the sea
• Parking lot: for three cars
• Height: low observation tower
• Key words: good spot for bird watching, view of the ponds and coastal meadow
• Manager: State Forest Management Centre

Besides observing birds, the bird observation tower also offers a good opportunity to get acquainted with the species characteristic to the coastal meadow.

Information boards

Besides the three information boards at the Rannametsa-Tolkuse Nature and Study Trail and the Tõotusemägi Hill, five information boards have been put up in Võiste and Häädemeeste small towns, Pulgoja village, by Soometsa cultural centre and at the habitat of the natterjack toad in Sooküla in order to introduce the Luitemaa Nature Reserve and these include a map.

Signposts

There are three signposts in the Luitemaa Nature Reserve: on the coastal meadow of Häädemeeste, two have been put up in the Pulgoja village and one by Häädemeeste clubhouse.