E9 section 37: Munalaid-Tõstamaa

The E9 Section 37: Munalaid–Tõstamaa is an approximately 20 km point-to-point coastal trail in Pärnu County, western Estonia, gaining barely 15 m of elevation over a single day. Rated easy, it traces the low, reed-fringed shore of the Tõstamaa peninsula along the Baltic Coastal Hiking route, passing the Munalaid ferry harbour and the historic Tõstamaa manor village.

About the E9 section 37: Munalaid-Tõstamaa

The E9 European long distance path runs 9,880 km from Tarifa in southern Spain to Narva-Jõesuu in north-eastern Estonia, crossing eleven countries and following European coastlines for almost its entire length. Within Estonia the route is known as the Ranniku matkarada (Coastal Hiking Route), a 622 km waymarked trail split into roughly 20 km daily stages and walked in around 30 days. Section 37, between the harbour of Munalaid and the village of Tõstamaa, sits in the heart of this Estonian leg, deep in Pärnu County on the country's south-western coast.

This stage is overseen by the European Ramblers Association, which holds the E9 designation, and is locally managed as part of the cross-border Baltic Coastal Hiking project that links Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia into one continuous 1,419 km shoreline trail. The Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian sections all share the same waymark: a white-blue-white band painted on stones, fence posts and trees. On Section 37 you will follow those marks across some of the flattest, quietest terrain in the whole network — a landscape of coastal meadows, juniper heath, reed beds and scattered farmsteads where the sea is rarely out of sight.

Munalaid is best known as the ferry harbour serving the islands of Kihnu and Manija, so the stage begins at a working quay before turning inland and west toward Tõstamaa. The Tõstamaa peninsula juts into Pärnu Bay, and the trail makes the most of its position with long open views over shallow, brackish water that freezes solid in winter and shimmers under the midsummer midnight light. There is almost no climbing here; the challenge is distance, exposure to wind and sun, and the soft, sometimes wet ground typical of Estonia's western lowlands rather than any gradient.

Route Overview & Stages

Section 37 is a single day stage, but it slots between two neighbouring stages of the Estonian coastal route. The table below shows the immediate sequence so you can plan a multi-day itinerary around it. Distances follow the Baltic Coastal Hiking stage plan, which targets roughly 20 km per day across this region.

Because the terrain is essentially flat — the Estonian coast here rises only a few metres above sea level — most hikers cover Section 37 in five to seven hours at a relaxed pace, including stops. The route mixes gravel farm tracks, grassy coastal paths and short stretches of quiet asphalt through villages. Navigation is straightforward where the white-blue-white marks are fresh, but reed beds and grazing meadows can obscure the tread, so a downloaded GPX track is strongly recommended.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Munalaid harbour — the small ferry port linking the mainland to Kihnu and Manija islands; the stage's start point and a good place to watch the Veeteed ferry come and go.
• Manija island view — across the strait, the low silhouette of Manija (Manilaid), home to a tiny year-round community of fewer than 40 residents.
• Tõstamaa coastal meadows — semi-natural grazing pastures along the shore, protected habitat for wading birds and a classic example of Estonia's managed coastal landscape.
• Tõstamaa manor (Tõstamaa mõis) — an 18th-century manor house, now a school, with a parkland setting at the heart of the village and the trail's western terminus.
• Tõstamaa church — the village's Lutheran church of St. Mary, a landmark on the small town skyline rebuilt in stone in the 18th century.
• Pärnu Bay shallows — the wide, shallow brackish bay that defines the whole stage, freezing over completely in hard winters and rich in fish and birdlife in summer.
• Juniper heath and reed beds — recurring along the path, the juniper-dotted grasslands are typical of western Estonia's coast and a haven for orchids in early summer.
• Kihnu ferry connection — from Munalaid you can detour by boat to UNESCO-recognised Kihnu island, one of the last places in Europe where a traditional matriarchal culture survives.

Best Time to Hike the E9 section 37: Munalaid-Tõstamaa

The clear best month is July. By mid-summer 2026 the coastal meadows are dry underfoot, daytime highs in Pärnu County typically reach 20–23 °C, and daylight stretches past 18 hours so you can walk the full 20 km without any time pressure. June is almost as good and brings flowering orchids and nesting birds, though the ground can stay wet from spring meltwater into early June and mosquitoes near the reed beds are at their worst.

May and September are quieter shoulder-season options. May offers crisp air and migrating birds but cool water and the risk of muddy sections; September brings warm sea-tempered days, fewer insects and golden meadows, with the first real storms usually holding off until October. Late autumn and winter are not recommended for this exposed shoreline — November through March sees short daylight, frequent rain or snow, biting Baltic wind, and a frozen, featureless bay. As of 2026 the trail carries no seasonal closure, but waymarking is hardest to follow under snow, and ferry and bus services run a reduced timetable outside summer. For the best balance of dry trail, long light and reliable transport, aim for the second half of July.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Tõstamaa is a small service centre with a guesthouse and rooms at the local culture-and-recreation complex; expect roughly €30–55 per night for a double, and book ahead in July as capacity is limited. Munalaid itself has no formal lodging, so most walkers either start early from nearby Pootsi or stay in Tõstamaa village. Wild camping is restricted in Estonia, but the country's everyman's right allows free overnight stays on RMK (State Forest Management Centre) sites, several of which lie within a short detour of the coast; these official forest campsites and lean-tos are free of charge and equipped with fire rings and dry toilets. Carrying a tent gives the most flexibility on this thinly populated stretch. For a fuller comfort base, the city of Pärnu — 45 minutes away by road — has hostels from about €20 and hotels across all price ranges.

Getting There & Back

The nearest hub is Pärnu, served by regional buses from Tallinn (about 2 hours) and from Riga (about 2.5 hours). The nearest major airport is Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport, roughly 2 hours by road from Pärnu. From Pärnu, county buses run to Tõstamaa village in around 45–60 minutes; some services continue toward Munalaid harbour, timed to connect with the Kihnu ferry, though departures are sparse — check the current Estonian public transport timetable before you set out. Because Section 37 is point-to-point, the simplest plan is to bus to Munalaid, walk west to Tõstamaa, then catch a return bus to Pärnu from the village. Confirm seasonal schedules with the regional operator and the official Baltic Coastal Hiking stage page before travelling.

Permits & Fees

No permit and no fee are required to walk Section 37. Public access to the Estonian coast is guaranteed by the everyman's right, which lets you hike, forage and camp responsibly on most unfenced land, including the RMK forest sites, at no cost. The only money you need is for transport, food and any indoor lodging. Respect the grazing meadows by keeping to the marked line, leave gates as you find them, and light fires only at designated rings. For background on the route's governance and waymarking standards, see the European Ramblers Association, which administers the E9 designation across all eleven member countries.

Gear & Packing List

This is an easy, flat day stage, but the exposure to Baltic wind and the soft, sometimes wet coastal ground shape what you carry. Waterproof footwear or quick-drying trail runners are worth more here than heavy boots, since you may cross damp meadow and short flooded patches. Pack a windproof shell, sun protection for the open shoreline, at least 1.5 litres of water (treat any natural source), and a strong insect repellent for the reed beds in June and early July.

A lightweight pack keeps the long flat kilometres comfortable. For a fast day hike or a multi-stage coastal trek, the 2400 Windrider and the larger 3400 Windrider shed rain and weight well, while the Abisko Hike 35 offers a supportive mid-size option for carrying a tent between RMK campsites. If you are tackling several E9 sections back to back, browse our full best ultralight backpacks of 2026 roundup to match capacity to your itinerary. Because there are no shops between Munalaid and Tõstamaa, plan your trail food in advance — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough fuel without overloading.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the quiet flat shoreline of Section 37 appeals, the rest of Estonia's coastal route offers more of the same in different settings — from southern border marshes to the cliffs and harbours around Tallinn. These neighbouring E9 stages pair naturally with Munalaid–Tõstamaa for a longer Baltic coast trek, and for a complete change of character, our Theth to Valbona hike in Albania guide covers a dramatic alpine alternative.

• E9 section 33: Häädemeeste-Uulu — Estonia, 26 km
• E9 section 60: Tabasalu - Tallinna sadam — Estonia, 25 km
• E9 section 58: Laulasmaa - Vääna-Jõesuu — Estonia, 19 km
• E9 section 56: Paldiski - Kersalu — Estonia, 16 km
• E9 section 57: Kersalu - Laulasmaa — Estonia, 12 km

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike E9 Section 37?
The second half of July is ideal. The coastal meadows are dry, daytime temperatures sit around 20–23 °C, and daylight lasts more than 18 hours, giving you plenty of margin to finish the 20 km. June is nearly as good but wetter underfoot and buggier, while September offers warm, insect-free walking with the first storms usually holding off until October.

How difficult is the Munalaid–Tõstamaa stage?
It is rated easy. With only about 15 m of elevation gain across roughly 20 km, there is no real climbing; the trail follows flat coastal meadows, gravel tracks and quiet village roads. The main challenges are distance, exposure to Baltic wind and sun, and occasionally soft or wet ground near reed beds, so most fit walkers complete it comfortably in five to seven hours.

How long is the stage and how far will I walk per day?
Section 37 is approximately 20 km, walked as a single point-to-point day stage from Munalaid harbour west to Tõstamaa village. This matches the Baltic Coastal Hiking plan, which targets around 20 km per day across western Estonia. At a relaxed pace with stops, expect five to seven hours of walking, leaving time to detour to the Kihnu ferry or explore Tõstamaa manor.

Where can I stay along the route?
Tõstamaa village has a guesthouse with doubles around €30–55; book ahead in July. Munalaid has no lodging, so start early or camp. Estonia's everyman's right allows free overnight stays at official RMK forest campsites near the coast, equipped with fire rings and dry toilets. For more choice, Pärnu — about 45 minutes away — offers hostels from roughly €20 plus hotels.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No. Walking Section 37 requires no permit and no entry fee. Estonia's everyman's right guarantees public access to the coast and permits responsible hiking, foraging and camping on most unfenced land, including free RMK forest sites. Your only costs are transport, food and any indoor accommodation. Stay on the marked path through grazing meadows and light fires only at designated rings.