TET Estonia

The route generally follows the State Forest Management Center managed hiking
trails using mainly gravel and forest roads. Shorter sections can also be more
technical and there are some asphalt sections too - especially around the
capital. Following the hiking routes means easy access to numerous free
campsites and sightseeing places.
For now, Estonia has in total 3
different routes to cross the country. You can also combine these routes if
Estonia is your final destination and after visiting Estonia you are heading
back either to Latvia or Finland. Each track has its own highlights. Eastern
track aka The Original offers the most variety - pine forest hills in southeast,
limestone cliff on northern coast, industrial quarries and abandoned military
sites in northeast and curvy forest roads around Aegviidu.. Western track is
rather different, but in no way boring. While the southwest part of the mainland
is rather flat with a lot of gravel straits between swamps, islands are another
story. Saaremaa island is rocky, with a lot of juniper trees and a very
different atmosphere from the mainland. Hiiumaa is the second biggest island,
but not at all similar to Saaremaa. Endless soft sandy tracks along the
coastline mixed with abandoned military bases and historical lighthouses. And if
you are in a hurry, it’s OK to pick the central route too. Although you will
miss the spectacular nature of eastern Estonia or the chilled atmosphere of
islands, you still have some challenges waiting for you.
EASTERN
ROUTE:
Coming from Latvia, Southeast Estonia has nice curvy gravel
roads through pine forest and hills (for a country where the maximum altitude is
318m - the highest in Baltics though!) . Visit Piusa caves
(www.visitestonia.com/en/piusa-caves-visitor-centre?site_preference=normal) and
Taevaskoja sandstone cliff - the hiking trail to the cliff goes through forest
with some trees up to 40m high. Cross Emajogi river by human-powered barge at
Kavastu. If you like, you can power it yourself! After that, visit old fishing
villages at Peipsi Lake near Kallaste and buy some dried fish. Near Jogeva,
visit
Elistvere Animal Park
to see some local wild animals.
After Jogeva, you head to the
North-East part - an area very different to the rest of the country. Visit
Peipsi Lake and take a swim in Europe's fourth largest lake. Roads in this area
are more rocky because limestone is close to the surface. Many small forest
roads are covered with rough crushed limestone from mines. And be careful, we
also have many swamps here where riding gets muddy! Follow tracks to Viivikonna,
a mostly abandoned mining village and get a feeling about life during soviet
times.
You then reach the northern coastline close to Sillamäe, can
visit the 30m high Valaste waterfall and enjoy up to 40m high limestone coastal
cliffs.
Northeastern Estonia is also an important industrial area
where you'll see our highest man-made mountains - made of spoil from the mines.
Heading south from the coastline, the next challenge is the abandoned Aidu
quarry. . It’s like a piece of Norway with rocky hills surrounded by fjords.
Numerous hiking trails and even a full size rowing channel are waiting for
tourists. Water is clean enough to drink. Don’t forget to visit a mining museum
and compare your bike with a mining excavator bucket as well.
Next up
is the old ash mountain in Kivioli, over 100m high and has an
adventure park
with different activities
available. This is also a place where different motorcycle events take place
including hill climbs and sidecar motocross European championships.
If
you like to visit abandoned military sites, near Roela are remnants from a big
soviet rocket base.
Between Tapa and Aegviidu the Russian army had an
artillery ground for tanks and the air force which is now used by NATO forces.
This has left an area of mostly untouched nature, but please observe and obey
the information boards and closed barriers during military exercise - or you may
be attacked by Abrams tanks or A-10 Thunderbolts! But when the gates are open,
you can enjoy riding on nice sandy roads through the forest.
All
around Aegviidu you have different hiking and ski trails, this is where all
cross-estonian hiking routes meet. This is also one of the most enjoyable areas
of eastern route, endless curvy roads through hilly forest. Just be careful and
keep an eye on other hikers on foot or on bicycle.
Before finally
arriving at the capital Tallinn, you can visit Linnamae hydro-electric station
and the over 50m wide Jagala waterfall.
In Tallinn itself, visit the
314m high TV tower for a great view over the city and walk to the edge at over
170m if you're brave enough. With clear skies you can even see the Finnish
coastline 80km away. Once a year there's a
Base Jump Boogie
too.
Before
arriving at the ferry port, drive a lap of the now closed historic
Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa racing track and stop for a moment at the Joey Dunlop
memorial. His tragic accident led to the closing of this track.
Before
entering the city centre, take a look at Lauluvaljak - the
Tallinn Song Festival grounds
with its
huge arc shaped stage (http://lauluvaljak.ee/en). You can even arrange
a jump from the arch.
When you reach Tallinn ferry port, park your bike and take a walk
in Tallinn old town - UNESCO world heritage site. Even better is to stay
overnight and enjoy the nightlife before starting next the TET stage in
Finland.
CENTRAL ROUTE
Temporarily removed.
WESTERN ROUTE WITH ISLANDS
If you are
already familiar with the original eastern track or Estonia was your end
destination and you’re returning back, you can now also ride the western track.
Although with less variety, it offers some really unique driving experience in
our islands Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.
Leaving the capital Tallinn, you
pass Männiku motocross track and Männiku sand quarry. Around the lakes are many
tracks mostly suitable for hard enduros, take your time to discover! Going west,
you are heading to Paldiski. A closed city during soviet time with a nuclear
submarine training centre is now a big industrial harbour with hundreds of new
cars waiting for transport to customers in Baltics and Russia. But you can drive
on a nice limestone cliff around the peninsula instead. Some nice views and
challenges guaranteed!
After Paldiski you are heading towards
Haapsalu, visit Padise monastery ruins and enjoy nice gravel roads. Track will
lead you to abandoned Soviet Piirsalu rocket base, be aware that there is still
an active shooting range and base area can be closed at times.
Now
the track goes north again in direction to Nõva recreational area with free
campsites, nice sandy beach, pine forest and hiking trails. Be aware of nature
parks and don’t stray away from the track!
Because western Estonia is
low and with many swamps, some asphalt sections are unavoidable. We have picked
nice curvy sections for you though! If you still have time before your ferry to
Hiiumaa, visit Haapsalu old town. A nice place to eat and walk. For ferry
booking, use
this link
. After
more than an hour on the sea, you are arriving at Heltermaa port. Because
Hiiumaa is rather small, the track does a lot of loops to offer you some very
nice driving on the island. It will also offer you some shortcuts, if you really
don’t want to enjoy those sandy tracks that much!.First up is the Tahkuna
peninsula. Find an abandoned military base from the forest and see if you have
courage to enter the darkness of a multi-store base in total darkness. Be aware
of dangers though! Climb the Tahkuna lighthouse and visit a military museum to
discover life during soviet times. Western peninsula Kõpu offers you the best of
sandy tracks, historically used by soviet border guards. Visit the more than 500
year old Kõpu lighthouse, world's second oldest and highest around Baltic sea
with 102,6m above the sea level. After that you are heading south to Sõru
harbour. Plan your ferry well ahead, because even during summertime you have
just 2-3 daily departures going to neighbouring Saaremaa island.
An
alternative is to return to the mainland and follow the alternative TET track
south to Virtsu, main harbour to visit Saaremaa.Going south, you will soon reach
Kasari river. Take a look at Kasari concrete bridge, with 307m length the
longest concrete bridge in Europe and Russia when it was built in 1904. Heading
towards Virtsu, the track follows an old railway embankment for several
kilometers. It’s easily distinguishable because it’s totally straight for many
kilometers with old railway station buildings next to it. Follow this route to
Virtsu and take a ferry to Muhumaa and Saaremaa islands.
But if you
follow our suggestion, you are entering Saaremaa by small Triigi harbour. Track
will then lead you to the high Panga cliff, a touristic, but spectacular
place.After Panga cliff, you are heading to the least inhabited area of
Saaremaa, northwest coast. Beautiful rocky roads along the coast are so
different from the sandy tracks you encountered in Hiiumaa. Moving south toward
Sõrve peninsula, you will not encounter many people. Visit the Sõrve museum at
the very end of the Sõrve peninsula and then you start moving back towards the
mainland. Yet again our track uses an old military railway track. In the middle
of Saaremaa is a small place called Kaali, where you can see a roughly 3500 year
old meteorite crater with a diameter of 110 meters. Leaving Saaremaa, you will
cross a strait on a dam and enter the third biggest island of Estonia, Muhumaa.
Track will lead you to Kõinastu islet. If the sea is low, you can easily walk to
the island, water is well below half a meter deep.. Rethink your idea of riding
your bike to this island, because riding outside of roads is not legal here!
Track will lead you towards Kuivastu harbour, you can enjoy riding between stone
gardens in old villages and visit Pädaste manor if eating in top level
restaurants is your thing! If you reach Kuivastu harbour on Sunday during high
season, you most likely will encounter a long queue of cars waiting for the
ferry. Just pass these cars, there’s always room for one more motorcycle on the
ferry!
Back on the mainland, our track leads you toward Pärnu, our
famous summer capital and if you like crowded beaches, high prices and parties,
this is the place to be in the summer. In Pärnu, we definitely suggest you visit
motorcycle oriented Aleksandri Pub and Guesthouse. Now it’s time to refuel your
bike, buy some food and head towards the least populated area in Estonia -
Soomaa (swamp land). Our track goes first south and then east along
Estonian-Latvian border. Enjoy the peacefulness of nature in one of the numerous
campsites there. When you are close to Nuia, away from the swamp area you can
enjoy some nice hilly gravel roads again.
Going further east, you
will pass several nice campsites near lakes. Take your time for a swim or lunch
or put up your tent for tonight!
After a merge with the central track
above Valga, a more challenging section starts again. Highlight is named after
estonian linesman “Randel’s triple”, three steep hill climbs mixed with swampy
bogs between the hills. You will definitely recognize the spot if you see it!
Before leaving Estonia, you can climb to the Tellingumäe watchtower and take a
look at the landscape around you! You can now head to Latvia or continue on
Estonian eastern trail back towards capital Tallinn.
We hope you
enjoyed your stay in Estonia!

Author Tips & Tricks

Piusa caves
Taevaskoja sandstone cliff
Kavastu barge
Elistvere animal park
Fisherman villages near Kallaste
Peipsi lake
Valastu waterfall
Limestone cliff at northern coast
Tallinn TV tower
Tallinn old town and nightlife
Numerous gravel roads all over the country
https://www.visitestonia.com/en/; https://www.lonelyplanet.com/estonia ; https://www.loodusegakoos.ee/en; https://web.archive.org/web/20190409161941/https://biker.ee/