Küdema: Discover Nature, Karst and the Bay

• The Küdema hoiuala protects dry meadows on calcareous soil that are important orchid habitats.
• The Küdema-lahe-Hoiuala protects broad, shallow bays and reefs.
• Küdema Bay is one of Estonia’s deepest bays, with depths of more than 20 m.
• The Küdema karst area includes a gorge with high banks that ends in a sinkhole.
• The Küdema-lahe nature area includes the village of Küdema and overlaps with the Küdema lahe hoiuala protected area.

Nature in Küdema is characterized by a variety of landforms. Dry meadows lie on calcareous soil and are protected as important orchid habitats. In the Küdema-lahe-Hoiuala, by contrast, broad, shallow bays and reefs take center stage. Küdema Bay forms a striking contrast: it is one of Estonia’s deepest bays and reaches depths of more than 20 m.

The protected species also give the area its own distinctive character. The Küdema-lahe nature area protects, among others, saaremaa robirohi (Saaremaa rattlesnake plantain), soohiilakas (marsh orchid) and jõesilm (European river lamprey). Those interested in nature and landforms will therefore find that Küdema offers not just a single destination, but several different themes that can be taken into account when planning a trip.

The Küdema karst area provides a clear illustration of how water can shape a landscape underground. A ditch flowing from Lake Ohtja seeps into the karst cavities. Beyond the beach ridges, the water re-emerges at the surface in the form of small springs. The sinkholes are among the largest suffosion landforms in Estonia’s karst landscape.

The area also includes a gorge with high banks that ends in a sinkhole. The Küdema karst area is easily accessible, making it particularly suitable for travelers who want to understand geological features not only through their names but also through concrete landforms. The educational program “Uurimisretk Saaremaa karstialadel” visits the Küdema karst area and highlights the educational value of this topic.

The names of the protected areas partly overlap, but they serve different purposes for orientation. The Küdema-lahe nature area includes the village of Küdema. At the same time, it overlaps with the Küdema lahe hoiuala protected area. In the surrounding area, the Panga maastikukaitseala borders the area of Küdema Bay. The area of Küdema Bay belongs to the Küdema-lahe-Hoiuala.

This distinction is helpful for planning if you want to differentiate between the village, bay, karst area and the larger natural areas. The bay represents water surfaces, reefs and great depths, while the karst area is defined by sinkholes, cavities, springs and the gorge.

More pages in the same regional context can be found under Tagaranna, Rahtla and Ninase.

What is special about Küdema Bay?

Küdema Bay is one of Estonia’s deepest bays, with depths of more than 20 m. The Küdema-lahe-Hoiuala also protects broad, shallow bays and reefs.

Which species are protected in Küdema?

The Küdema-lahe nature area includes, among others, saaremaa robirohi (Saaremaa rattlesnake plantain), soohiilakas (marsh orchid) and jõesilm (European river lamprey).

How does the water cycle work in the Küdema karst area?

A ditch flowing from Lake Ohtja seeps into the karst cavities. Beyond the beach ridges, the water re-emerges at the surface in the form of small springs.

What can visitors expect in the Küdema karst area?

The area includes a gorge with high banks, a sinkhole and large suffosion landforms of the Estonian karst landscape. It is easily accessible. The educational program “Uurimisretk Saaremaa karstialadel” visits the Küdema karst area.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mustjala.