Ridala
Accommodation in Ridala
Ridala and its surroundings offer different ways to plan your trip: archaeological traces, a trail through Koigi Bog, and historic sites and experiences around Asva. You can balance nature and culture according to your own interests.
Ridala at a glance
- Ridala is home to the archaeological monument Särge pao Tohtrikivi/Nõiakivi.
- A 4.8 km hiking trail runs through Koigi Bog.
- The Asva Viking Village and Maasi Order Castle are nearby.
- The Ridala archaeological site is about 4 km from the present-day coast.
What story does Ridala tell?
Ridala is also known by the local variants Rõdala, Ridali and Rüdala. The fortified Bronze Age settlement of Ridala stood on the seashore of the time, by what is now Kuke oja, about 5 km from Asva. It was in use for a short time in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. The Ridala archaeological site lies on a narrow north–south moraine ridge, about 4 km from the present-day coast.
Särge pao Tohtrikivi/Nõiakivi is also part of the area's history: it is an archaeological monument and a historic sacred natural site. These two designations show that Ridala can be understood not only through its settlement history, but also through a special site of religious and archaeological significance.
What can you experience around Ridala?
The Asva Viking Village is located at the edge of the old Asva hillfort. It has an adventure trail with climbing up to about 12 m high and a Viking chieftain's slide up to 100 m long. These height and length details give you specific points of comparison when choosing activities for your stay.
At the Asva Viking Village, the Odrakoda kitchen serves food and drinks based on old recipes and local flavours. So, alongside the activities, exploring the area can also include cuisine with a regional connection.
How can you explore Koigi Bog?
The 4.8 km hiking trail runs through Koigi Bog and around Pikkjärv. It consists of a woodchip path and a boardwalk. A 9 m-high observation tower stands along the trail. The length, trail surface and tower offer specific points of reference to help you decide whether this bog trail suits your planned nature experiences.
Which historic sites are nearby?
Pöide St Mary's Church was built in the 14th century. It is the largest single-nave church in western Estonia and on the islands. Maasi Order Castle is also near Ridala. It was built in 1345 after the suppression of the St George's Night Uprising. Today, visitors can see the conserved ruins and walk among the walls.
Kabeli-talu Windmill is another historic point of interest: it was restored and conserved in 2008. The Kabeli-talu post mill is one of the architectural monuments in Ridala village. If you would like to include more places in your selection, see the locality pages for Laimjala, SaarekĂĽla and Asva.
FAQ
How long is the trail through Koigi Bog?
The hiking trail is 4.8 km long. It consists of a woodchip path and a boardwalk around Pikkjärv.
What activities does the Asva Viking Village offer?
The adventure trail includes climbing up to about 12 m high and a Viking chieftain's slide up to 100 m long.
Which historic sites can you discover nearby?
These include Pöide St Mary's Church and the conserved ruins of Maasi Order Castle. In Ridala, you will also find the archaeological monument Särge pao Tohtrikivi/Nõiakivi.
For the broader travel overview: Laimjala Vald.
