Orissaare: Illiku, Health Trail and Stadium Oak

Orissaare combines island experiences, exercise in nature and unusual sights. Anyone looking for a mix of water, trails and special discoveries for their holiday will find a variety of options here for spending time together. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house in Orissaare, the desired way of spending each day can therefore play an important role: Should the focus be on water sports, a walk through protected nature or culturally interesting destinations?

Water experiences on Illiku Island

Illiku Island is a surf spot for kitesurfing, windsurfing and wingfoiling. Illiku Surf also organises surfing and other water-based activities on the island. This gives Orissaare a clear focus for travellers who want to combine their stay with activity on the water. Even those who do not want to take part themselves can include the island in their travel plans and experience the special connection between the town and the waterscape.

Titerand is located on the northern shore of Illiku Island. There is shallow, warm water there that is suitable for small children. For families, this place can therefore be a practical addition to more sporting activities. Orissaare Harbour is also located on Illiku Island, 700 m from the town centre, and offers arriving sailors an anchorage. Water sports, sailing and a stay with small children can thus be considered as different interests within a trip to Orissaare, without every day's plans having to look the same.

Trails through the Tumala protected area

The Orissaare Health Trail consists of three routes measuring 2.7 km, 2.3 km and 0.6 km. It is suitable for walking, running, cycling and Nordic walking. The different route lengths give you the opportunity to choose an activity that suits your plans for the day. The Health Trail runs mostly through the Tumala protected area, a valuable conservation area with diverse natural communities.

For families with different interests, this trail is a versatile option: while some may prefer the short 0.6 km route, others can plan to take the longer 2.3 km or 2.7 km routes. This means you can choose accommodation in Orissaare according to your preferred holiday pace, with room for active days as well as a more relaxed stay.

An oak tree on the football pitch and a rally exhibition

One of the most striking sights is the Orissaare Stadium Oak Tree. The oak grows in the middle of a football pitch and received the title “European Tree of the Year” in 2015. No admission ticket is required to visit the oak at Orissaare Stadium. This makes it an unusual stop for anyone who wants to discover not only classic landscape views while travelling, but also special local stories and distinctive features.

Another established attraction is Orissaare Rally Park, a permanent exhibition dedicated to rallying. Together with the Stadium Oak, it expands the range of excursions with two very different forms of discovery: here, the focus is on a single, distinctive tree; there, on an exhibition centred around rallying.

Festival experience on Illiku

The I Land Sound festival takes place on Illiku Island and lasts four days. Pioneers of the electronic nightlife scene, artists and locals come together for the event. For your travel planning, this festival is particularly a focus in its own right if you want to combine culture and music with the island character of Illiku. As the event lasts four days, it can influence the choice of travel period and the desired rhythm of your stay.

To compare other destinations, you can also view Muratsi, Pidula, Kuressaare, Ruhnu, Haeska, Igaküla, Kuralase and Nurme.

For the overarching travel overview: Saaremaa.