Matsalu National Park Visitor Centre and Suitsu trail

The area of Matsalu National Park is 48,610 hectares and was established to protect the nesting, moulting and migrating birds. There are many nature trails and 7 birdwatching towers in Matsalu.
The Visitor Centre of the National Park is near Lihula, in the renovated Penijõe manor. The Nature Centre hosts an exhibition and has a classroom for nature education. Hiking enthusiasts can start the Penijõe hiking trail right at the visitor centre.

Trails and paths to the viewing towers are only accessible for short distances. The visitor centre grounds are mostly hard-surfaced and clean, allowing easy movement, including access to the campfire site. Some information boards have QR codes, but they are difficult to locate and lead to English-language pages.

Description

At the entrance, there is a 3.5 m long ramp (15% incline, without handrails). On the ground floor, there is an accessible toilet, and access to the second floor is provided by a Vimec platform lift. The car park has an asphalt surface and is in good condition, but there is no designated accessible parking space. There are no curbs or obstacles, and there is usually enough space to park and exit the vehicle comfortably.

The information board is located at the edge of the car park and is accessible by wheelchair, but there is no information available for visitors with visual impairments (e.g., QR codes or braille). The main building is accessed via a ramp with an acceptable incline, but without a safety rail. The information desk is located on the second floor, accessible by platform lift. Toilets are located in the lower stairwell; however, the accessible toilet door is narrow, there is no emergency call button, and the threshold is high. The exterior door threshold is also not flush.

Exhibits are mostly in glass display cases, with no tactile exhibits or audio guides. There is no hearing loop or other specialised information for visitors with hearing impairments.

At the start of the yard, there is a new dry toilet with an accessible stall (a ramp and a threshold).

The staff are very friendly and willing to provide contact details for the relevant staff member if needed.

Suitsu trail and observation tower

The trail is a total of 1.3 km long (round trip) and runs along the floodplain meadow of the Suitsu River. It is marked with wooden directional signs. The trail is most interesting to visit in early spring, early in the morning or late in the evening, when animals and birds are most active. Along the trail, you can see Matsalu forest, floodplain meadow, reed beds, the Suitsu River, old fishing huts, and the Suitsu observation tower. The trail follows a floodplain road. Directional signs with hiker pictograms indicate the way. In wet conditions, rubber boots may be needed to walk the trail.

The trail and access to the tower are not adequately accessible for people with mobility impairments but are suitable for others when accompanied. There is parking for 8 cars or 2 buses in the riverside parking area.

The trail follows a floodplain road. Directional signs with hiker pictograms indicate the way.

In wet conditions, rubber boots may be needed to walk the trail.

Download the GPX of the trail