An approximately 50-kilometre route links Haapsalu with Matsalu National Park, making for an unhurried motorcycle outing. Haapsalu offers a seaside promenade and the setting of its historic castle ruins; farther on, the western landscape gives way to bays, meadows and wetlands. The appeal here is less the distance covered than the chance to stop and explore on foot.
Matsalu is one of Estonia’s notable birdwatching destinations. Migrating flocks pass through in spring and autumn, and visitors can watch from designated places including the Haeska and Kloostri towers. The Kasari floodplain meadow covers around 4,000 hectares. A motorcycle makes it possible to link several stops in a day, but the viewing itself deserves time and a pair of binoculars.
Autumn weather and the surface of smaller roads can change, so check the forecast and choose suitable riding gear before leaving. Filling stations are farther apart outside towns. At trails and observation towers, leave the motorcycle in a designated parking area and continue on foot, allowing the quiet of the coast to become part of the trip.