Things to do in Estonia, Estonia: The Best Waterfalls

Turjekeldri Waterfall is the fourth highest waterfall in Lahemaa: water falls down a four-metre sandstone bank of the Pakerort stage. The waterfall is exceptional as it is one of the few waterfalls falling down from sandstone; our waterfalls mostly fall down from a limestone escarpment.The waterfall receives its water from the stream originating from the plateau of Tsitre klint island. The waterfall is approx. 5 metres in height. There are also smaller escarpments (0.2–0.5 m) located upstream the river from the highest escarpment.Just under the waterfall there is Turjekeldri Cave.

This promenade, which winds its way along the banks of the Keila River, is a favourite spot among walkers. On one side it is bordered by the Vigala River, and on the other by the Maarja-Magdaleena church park.

Keila Waterfall is located on the Keila River, Keila-Joa small town, Keila Rural Municipality, Harju County. The waterfall is 6 metres in height and tens of metres in width, being thus the third most powerful waterfall in Estonia following only Narva Waterfall and Jagala Waterfall. There is a path taking you from the park along the riverbed and over two suspension bridges to the waterfall.Interesting to know: - There is a tradition among local people to come to the waterfall on their wedding day, fasten a padlock bringing fortune on the chain bridge and after fastening throw the key into the fast-flowing river.

Narva's cascades are situated on the premises of the former Kreenholm factory. They have been flowing through the area for thousands of years, but in the early '50s a reservoir was constructed on Narva River and a new river bed was dug out for a hydroelectric power station in Ivangorod to supply Leningrad (now St Petersburg). The station allows water from the reservoir through its turbines out via the cascades during the high water season in spring, which is when you can admire their beauty from the Estonian side of the border. They can be admired two times per year in total in the Narva Canyon nature reserve.Did you know...?*Trips to view the cascades are organised by Narva Museum

The Aluoja cascades are in the village of Puhajoe in Toila municipality, in the Magara creek, which flows into Puhajoe valley from the west. Aluoja is a unique slate valley with a variety of cascades, clefts and springs.Moving downriver, its terraces are 1.4 m, 0.7 m, 1.9 m, 1.3 m and 0.5 m in height. They expose different layers of limestone dating to different eras – the three top terraces from one era and the bottom two from another. The valley deepens suddenly by up to 10 metres. In places, particularly near the third terrace, it resembles a canyon.

Jagala Waterfall is a waterfall in the lower course of the Jagala River, approximately 4 km before the river flows into the Gulf of Finland. The waterfall is approx. 8 metres in height and more than 50 metres in width. It is the widest natural waterfall in Estonia.The waterfall is a peculiar sight to see in winter, when the water mass frozen in cold weather becomes a glistening ice wall with large icicles. A tunnel surrounded in both sides by ice may be formed in between the ice hanging down from the edge of the waterfall and the wall of waterfall.Interesting to know:- In terms of fishery the lower course of the Jagala River from the waterfall to the river mouth is one of the most valuable ones in Estonia – large trout and salmon resources can be found here.

Valaste Waterfall situated on the Ontika Limestone Cliff is the highest in Estonia with its fall of 30 metres. The waterfall shows its more rebellious side of nature in springs and during the high water season. In summer and during the dry period you can only see the groundwater oozing out from between different layers. The waterfall is particularly picturesque in winter, when the combination of northerly winds blowing from the sea and the sprinkles of water create a real ice castle on the trees on the precipice. The Ontika Limestone Cliff is the highest spot on the famous 1100-kilometre-long Baltic Klint that runs from the island of Oland in Sweden to the vicinity of Lake Ladoga in Russia.

The cascade receives its water from the Vaana River. Within about 50 metres there are three escarpments the last of which downstream is 1.5 metres high. Other escarpments are lower. As the flow rate in the Vaana River is one of the average ones in Estonia, Vahikula Cascade does not suffer from the lack of water.

Treppoja Cascade is located by Tallinn-Paldiski Road in Keila Rural Municipality, Harju County. The cascade is situated at a place where the catchment area of Treppoja, that is approx. 10 km in length and 20 km2 large, begins from Illurma klint cape and then slides down through the slope of the limestone plateau into the Lahepere klint bay. There are six 0.3–1.5 m high escarpments (the overall height difference is approx. 5.5 m) within one hundred meters on this 2–15 m wide territory. The cascade has not been able to form a canyon because of the lack of water and its young age. Visiting it in summer or winter does not make a big difference because it will never be too late to go there.