- Address: Mustyala, 93634 Saaremaa, Estonia;
- Height: 21.3 m;
- Length: 3 km.
Want to enjoy the incredible sea panorama and make impressive photos on the edge of a steep cliff? Visit the famous Panga cliff on the Estonian island of Saaremaa. The noise is beating against a high cliff of waves, ornate curved pine trees, a refreshing sea breeze, a full sense of freedom and serenity. This is all you'll find here - on the west coast of the island.
Features of the Cliff Panga
There are many natural sights in Estonia, and Panga's cliff takes a worthy place among them. It is the highest and picturesque cliff along the entire coastline of the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu. Its total length along the coast is 2.5 meters. The coastal clint mainly consists of dolomite and limestone. The name of the cliff came from a small village, which is located nearby.
Not everyone dares to approach the edge of the cliff. After all, its height is more than 21 meters. The view from here is amazing. Particularly impressive landscapes surround Pang's cliff at sunset and in stormy weather. Strong waves form an unusual pattern on the surface of the water, at this time you can see how about 200 meters from the coast the sandy bottom abruptly breaks off an endless abyss.
Like many other cliffs of Estonia , the Panga cliff was formed as a result of the melting of a huge glacier that once covered the Baltic lands. Historians argue that during the time of paganism on this high precipice there was an ancient temple where rites of sacrifice to natural deities, in particular to the sea God, were held. Local people do not like to visit this place very much, they say that there is some kind of special heavy energy. But most likely an easy mystical mood is created at the expense of some share of fear, which can not help covering a person standing at the height of a 6-storey building. And the corresponding mood is caused by unusual pines with twisted trunks. This bizarre shape was given to them by strong winds that "walk" on the top of the cliff.
Things to do?
The territory adjacent to the Panga cliff is a well-equipped natural park, which is located in a protected area. Every year tourists come here to admire the miraculous landmark of the island of Saaremaa. Here you can:
- arrange a picnic (only be sure to make sure that after rest no garbage is left);
- make cool pictures among the "curves" of the pines and on the edge of the cliff;
- to go for a ride on a large swing ;
- learn to determine the time in one of the most ancient ways (at the highest point of the cliff, a dolomite sundial is installed);
- purchase souvenirs for memory with the image of the cliff and other attractions of Saaremaa, in the souvenir shop a large selection of different products from dolomite and wood (the shop is open only in the summer season);
- drink a cup of coffee / tea and a snack in the cafe (works in the warm season);
- go down to the foot of the cliff and appreciate from below all its greatness (for this you need to walk about 1 km in the direction of the hotel for divers).
Near the Panga cliff there is a large free parking (400 meters from the cliff). From it you should walk along an asphalt road that goes into a path surrounded by beautiful juniper bushes.
How to get there?
To get to Pang's cliff, you first need to get to Kuressaare , the administrative center of the Saaremaa county. Distance to Kuressaare:
- from Tallinn - 217 km;
- from Pärnu - 155 km;
- from Tartu - 327 km;
- from Narva - 430 km.
The section between the island and the mainland can be crossed by plane or by ferry.
From Kuressaare to the Cliff Panga about 45 km. You can reach the cliff by the tourist bus or by car (on the highway No. 86).