Valaste – Nature on the Ontika Cliff

Accommodation in Valaste

Valaste is particularly interesting if you are looking for accommodation with a clear nature theme for your trip. The waterfall, cliff coast, forest and educational trails shape the possible experiences. When choosing where to stay, you should also take the current trail closure at Ontika Cliff into account, as not all of the described trail sections are currently accessible.

The “Valaste juga” waterfall is located on the Ontika cliff. Its wall of water is over 30 metres high and is considered Estonia’s highest waterfall. The Ontika Landscape Protection Area protects the Baltic Klint and characteristic natural forests. The landscape also includes the cliff forest between the terrace and the sea, which is considered one of Estonia’s most primeval forest types.

The “Valaste hiking and study trail” runs along the Ontika Landscape Protection Area. It therefore combines the cliff landscape with a route that is not focused solely on the viewing experience. Twenty-two information boards explain the limestone cliff of Ontika and the surrounding landscape. This gives interested travellers an understandable introduction to the geological and natural features of the area without requiring specialist knowledge.

Another distinct experience is offered by the “Ontika–Valaste nature trail”. It runs for approximately 700 metres along the seashore. This approximate length refers to the nature trail and not to the entire route of the “Valaste hiking and study trail”. If you distinguish between the two names when planning, you will avoid forming an incorrect impression of a single, completely identical route.

What do you need to consider when planning your route?

The “Valaste hiking and study trail” is currently accessible only as an out-and-back route. In the described route, the descent at Valaste Waterfall is via stairs and then along boardwalks below the cliff to the seashore. At the same time, the Ontika end of the hiking and study trail, the stairs and the boardwalks below the cliff are currently impassable and closed due to landslides. The described route must therefore not be understood as a guarantee that this descent can currently be used in full.

For public transport users, the “Ontika–Valaste nature trail” also offers the possibility of starting and ending the route at Valaste Waterfall. This describes a specific option for navigating the route, but says nothing about which sections of the closed cliff area are currently accessible.

Where can you get the best view of the cliff coast?

The best view of the Ontika cliff coast is from the stair platform at Valaste Waterfall or from the “Valaste õppe- ja matkarada” study trail. These two viewpoints help you determine the focus of your travel decision: you can place greater emphasis on the view over the cliff coast or on the explanatory content of the study trail. A specific accommodation decision should be weighed against the desired nature experience and the current accessibility of the trails.

What other places can you compare?

If you would like to compare Valaste with other destinations, you can also look at Kiviõli, Toila, Avinurme, Jõhvi, Narva, Kalvi, Aseri and Sillamäe.

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FAQ

Can the descent to the sea currently be used continuously?

Do not currently plan it as a continuously usable connection, as part of the cliff area is closed.

What is the difference between the two study trails?

The names refer to different routes: the “Valaste hiking and study trail” and the “Ontika–Valaste nature trail”.

Where can you view the cliff coast?

Possible viewpoints are located at the stair platform by Valaste Waterfall and on the “Valaste õppe- ja matkarada” study trail.

For the overarching travel overview: Ida-Viru.