There have been many beautiful springs in Estonia, but unfortunately many of them have already been destroyed. However, people with a nature-oriented way of life in Estonia love to go to the springs to relax and drink the spring water. I would like to invite you to an interesting walk to the springs and the unique nature of Estonia. I will be happy to share with you some of my own nature photos to illustrate this.
People believe that spring water makes the face more beautiful and can bring better health. Especially on Midsummer night, people still bring to themselves pure spring water and hope it has magical properties. Or at least I did.
Norra-Oostriku springs in Estonia are enchanting
Norra-Oostriku springs are located in Järva County. It is best to visit them by car. You can probably rent a car or find some local people who can show you where exactly the springs are.
So, one of my Midsummer Days started with journey to the springs of Võlingi. We had left the car to the beginning of the footway to dive into the forest green depths. The trail leads across a meadow scented with flowers and buzzing with insects, through a mysteriously rustling forest.
In a short walk I reached the spring of Võlingi. And a little further away a stream and river are born from the spring.
Did you know that tiny orchids grow in Estonia?
The river sends journeyers through the forest. Hiking trail runs along the boardwalk besides the forest trail. If you are lucky enough you may notice estonian own tiny orchids: Night Violins, Lady Slippers and others. Well, it´s more accurate to say, a very few tiny plants. Therefore, do not pick them up!
Springs are like nature’s secret places
Springs are natural wonders.
At the end of the boardwalk, Vilbaste springs await. In sunny weather you may rest by these truly cool mysterious springs, under large trees, and it’s great to have a sweater, scarf or blanket with you to lie down on. You can also see the play of sandgrains on the green-blue background of water, the dance of the leaves with the wind orchestra, and feel that time flows differently near the spring. Suddenly there are enough time and everything is very well.
The whole hiking trail is over two kilometers long, and it will certainly take time to enjoy nature and take pictures. The trail is unique each season, with different plants blooming, different voices, colors and smells around.
The deepest spring in Estonia is the spring of Sopa
Arriving back at the car, we drove a bit further, left the car to the beginning of forest again, and this time it was less than half a kilometer walking. We crossed the meadow again, came to the fir and pine trees until we reached Sopa stream. And there, on the forest glade, suddenly was a deep funnel-shaped hole filled with blue-green water.
The scene was a bit of a horror story, as the old trees had fallen into the water. Also, the spring shores were so steep that anybody couldn’t want to take water or bathe here.
Oostriku springs can be found right on the gravel road
Even though Oostriku springs are so close to the road, fortunately there is no heavy traffic here. So you can sit back on the boardwalk to listen to the sounds of nature and spend this way the whole night. Many tiny springs bubble up as if there were playing fairies. The glittering pieces of sand are happily jumping in the fresh water that flows out from the ground. The leaves of the trees rustle, and from time to time there is a louder plop from the river. In summer there sings cuckoos and birds twitter.
In winter, there is a icy silence in this place, but you can still wash your face and hands with refreshing water.
It is best to take water from a Fountain spring
You can also take the fresh spring water from the Oostriku spring, but I find the Fountain spring more fun. To reach the Fountain we drove back to where we started the Võlingi spring trip. This time we turned in the opposite direction and drove a little bit along the road to Kirikumäe. The spring with the campfire site and picnic area was again near by the road.
The spring has been slightly designed by human hands to look like a fountain that makes it very easy to fill your water bottle.
Springs are just the right place to listen to silence
There are several hidden springs in the Endla Nature Reserve and there is much to discover. I have noticed that the springs create harmony, balance and peace with themselves and the world around them. Returning from the springs and forests, many things are no longer the same and life paths may turn slightly different.
When you need clearer insights, springs are just the right place where to listen to silence.
Do you get the feeling that you should go and see these places yourself?
