Discover Kõrkküla: forest, klint and cycling route 6

• In Kõrkküla Mustmets, the forest grows in places on exposed sandstone.
• The Kõrkküla klint plateau is almost 15 km long and reaches up to 59 m above sea level at its northern edge.
• From the Tallinn–Narva road, you can see Purtse Hiiemägi and the klint escarpment of the Saka–Ontika klint plateau in Kõrkküla.
• Cycling route 6 runs from Kõrtsialuse via Kestla to Rannu and includes the “Kõrkküla merevaade” sea view and the Kõrkküla kivirist.

One distinctive feature of Kõrkküla Mustmets is the exposed sandstone on which the forest grows in places. Here, forest and rock are directly connected. This gives the landscape a different character from a forest where the ground or geological substrate is not visible in the described landscape. For travellers interested in nature and landscapes, this combination is a tangible reason to get to know Kõrkküla better.

The Aseri Landscape Protection Area is also part of the natural environment here. It belongs to the Natura 2000 network. The 608 ha protected area was established to protect natural forest and swamp communities, as well as protected species and habitats. Its size and conservation purpose give the area a distinctive profile: alongside forest landscapes, swamp communities and habitats are also central.

From the Tallinn–Narva road, you can see Purtse Hiiemägi and the klint escarpment of the Saka–Ontika klint plateau in Kõrkküla. This means that a specific view is associated with a particular vantage point: the road. The Kõrkküla klint plateau can also be described by two different measurements. At its northern edge, it reaches up to 59 m above sea level; it is almost 15 km long, stretching between the Pada Valley and Sõreda Stream. Height and length convey different aspects of the landscape and should not be confused.

Cycling route 6 runs from Kõrtsialuse via Kestla to Rannu. The route’s listed features include the “Kõrkküla merevaade” sea view and the Kõrkküla kivirist. The route description thus combines a sequence of place names with two specific features: a sea view and a stone cross. Those interested in a cycling trip can use this named route and its listed highlights to assess Kõrkküla, rather than considering the place only in terms of its landscape.

The Kõrkküla kivirist is not only part of cycling route 6. Scenes from Grigori Kozintsev’s film “Hamlet” were also shot at the foot of the cross. This connection adds cultural and historical interest to the place without replacing its described natural and landscape character. There are therefore several different points of interest to consider when deciding whether Kõrkküla suits your travel interests: forest growing on exposed sandstone, the klint plateau, the cycling route and the film history associated with the cross.

How large is the Aseri Landscape Protection Area?

The Aseri Landscape Protection Area covers 608 ha and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It was established to protect natural forest and swamp communities, as well as protected species and habitats.

How long and how high is the Kõrkküla klint plateau?

It stretches for almost 15 km between the Pada Valley and Sõreda Stream. At its northern edge, it reaches up to 59 m above sea level.

What is associated with Kõrkküla on cycling route 6?

The route runs from Kõrtsialuse via Kestla to Rannu. It includes the “Kõrkküla merevaade” sea view and the Kõrkküla kivirist.

For the broader travel overview: Aseri.