Kirikuküla: Suitsu River, Forest and Reeds

Riverbanks, reeds and wooded meadows give Kirikuküla a landscape character that places nature observation alongside cultural and historical features. About 1,000 years ago, Matsalu Bay extended as far as Kirikuküla. Wooded meadows can be seen in Kirikuküla near Penijõe; the Allika wooded meadow in Kirikuküla is significant. This gives you different points of interest: a historical connection to the landscape, open meadow spaces and natural features.

Building Culture Along the Suitsu River

Along the road beside the Suitsu River and in other parts of Kirikuküla, old farmhouses with thatched roofs can be seen. Tika Farm in the former village of Äärenurga is protected as a monument under the Heritage Conservation Act. This provides you with a cultural and historical perspective on Kirikuküla that goes beyond observing the landscape alone. Travellers who pay attention to regional architectural forms and rural settlement landscapes will find specific features here to explore for themselves.

Hiking Through Forests and Meadows

The Suitsu Hiking Trail is 1.3 km long, lies in the Matsalu forest and runs parallel to the flooded meadow of the Suitsu River. Along the trail, you may see roe deer, moose and wild boar. The forest west of the Suitsu Observation Tower was formerly a wooded meadow and is now overgrown. The trail, flooded meadow and overgrown forest thus form different natural features for travellers who also pay attention to wildlife and forms of vegetation while walking.

The Suitsu Observation Tower

The Suitsu Observation Tower is a 21-metre-high metal tower with an open upper section. From the tower, you can look out over reed beds, coastal meadows and Matsalu Bay. Estonia’s largest reed beds, covering approximately 2,000 hectares, can also be seen from there. A 300-metre-long paved road leads to the Suitsu Observation Tower. Alongside the architectural and river features, this creates a distinct focus on expanses, water and open landscapes.

River, Boathouses and Excursion Boats

Old and restored boathouses stand on the right bank of the Suitsu River. They were formerly, and continue to be, used to store the necessary fishing equipment. Excursion boats for national park visitors depart from these boathouses onto the river. This section is particularly vivid for those interested in maritime themes, as it brings together traces of craftsmanship and boat trips on the Suitsu River.

Islands in the Wider Surrounding Area

Suurrahu is an island in the vicinity of Kirikuküla. Papilaid is an island in the wider regional surroundings of Kirikuküla, as is Kõvajalaid. If you consider Kirikuküla as a travel destination, you can therefore distinguish between features in Kirikuküla and island connections in the surrounding area or the wider regional surroundings.

Staying Overnight in Kirikuküla

The Suitsu Forest Cabin is a forest cabin for overnight stays. During your stay in Kirikuküla, nature observation, hiking, river landscapes, building culture or islands can form different points of focus. The choice between a hotel and another type of accommodation can be guided by the type of trip you want.

For further orientation in the same broader travel area, you can also find Kunda linn, Rakke, Vainupea, Käsmu, Tamsalu, Vihula, Haljala Parish and Väike-Maarja.

For the broader travel overview: Lääne-Viru.