E9 section 38: Tõstamaa-Matsi

The E9 section 38: Tõstamaa–Matsi is an approximately 24 km point-to-point coastal trail in western Estonia, gaining barely 30 m of elevation over one full hiking day. Rated easy, it follows the flat Baltic shoreline through fishing villages, sandy beaches and reed-lined wetlands, forming one quiet stage of the 622 km Estonian Baltic Coastal Hiking Route within the wider E9 European long distance path.

About the E9 section 38: Tõstamaa–Matsi

The E9 European long distance path is a 9,880 km coastal route running from Tarifa in southern Spain to Narva-Jõesuu in north-eastern Estonia, threading through eleven countries along the Atlantic and Baltic coasts. It is coordinated under the European Ramblers Association, which links existing national trail systems into a single signed corridor. Section 38, Tõstamaa–Matsi, sits in Pärnu County on Estonia's western coast and forms one day-stage of the national portion known locally as the Ranniku matkarada, or Baltic Coastal Hiking Route.

The Estonian section alone covers 622 km and takes roughly 30 days to walk end to end, marked throughout with distinctive white-blue-white blazes painted on stones, trees and posts. Section 38 is one of those numbered day legs, catalogued on the official Baltic Trails platform as day 38 of the coastal route. Starting in the small borough of Tõstamaa, the trail tracks the shoreline of Pärnu Bay northwards toward Matsi beach near Varbla, crossing some of the flattest, least-developed coastline in the Baltic region.

This is not a mountain hike. Western Estonia is the product of ongoing post-glacial land uplift, so the coast rises only a few millimetres a year and the terrain stays almost perfectly level. Expect total elevation gain of under 30 m across the whole stage. What the section offers instead is solitude, big horizons over the Gulf of Riga, juniper meadows, coastal pine forest and excellent birdwatching, all within easy reach of the resort city of Pärnu.

Route Overview & Stages

Section 38 is designed to be completed in a single day, but it connects directly to the stages on either side, letting you stitch together a multi-day western-coast traverse. The table below breaks the day into manageable legs based on the natural waypoints along the shore.

Surfaces vary between gravel coastal lanes, grassy meadow paths and short stretches of forest track. Because the terrain is flat, a fit hiker covers the full 24 km in six to seven hours including breaks. The lack of climbing makes pacing predictable, which is rare on a long-distance trail.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Tõstamaa Manor — A restored 18th-century manor house, now a school, with parkland that marks the trailhead and a good spot for a final coffee before setting out.
• Pootsi Harbour — A working small-craft fishing harbour where local boats run to nearby islands; one of the few places to refill water and rest.
• Manija (Manilaid) Island — Visible offshore from the Lao peninsula, this tiny inhabited island sits within the Pärnu Bay landscape protection area and is a noted bird haven.
• Lao Peninsula reed beds — Extensive coastal reed and meadow habitat that draws migrating waterfowl in spring and autumn, part of the broader western Estonian wetland system.
• Matsi Beach — A long, shallow sandy beach near Varbla that marks the end of the section, with a campsite, swimming and Gulf of Riga sunsets.
• Varbla coastal meadows — Grazed juniper-dotted meadows typical of Estonia's western shore, kept open by traditional livestock management.
• Pärnu Bay birdwatching points — Shallow, sheltered waters that host thousands of migrating barnacle geese, swans and ducks during peak passage.
• White-blue-white waymarks — The signature Baltic Coastal Hiking Route blazes appear throughout the stage, your reassurance on the few junctions where the path leaves the obvious shoreline.

Best Time to Hike the E9 section 38: Tõstamaa–Matsi

The practical hiking window for this stage runs from May through September. Western Estonia has a cool maritime climate, and the coastal exposure means wind matters more than altitude ever does. Late spring brings the spectacular bird migration through Pärnu Bay, when tens of thousands of geese stage on the shallow waters, though meadows can stay wet and muddy into early May.

July and August are the warmest months, with daytime highs around 20–23 °C and sea temperatures mild enough for a swim at Matsi beach. These months also see the most daylight, with usable light past 22:00 in midsummer. The trade-off is that Pärnu's resort beaches fill with domestic tourists, though section 38 itself stays quiet.

The single best month is June. As of 2026, June offers the longest daylight of the year, stabilised and largely dry trail conditions after the spring thaw, comfortable temperatures in the high teens, and lush green meadows before the high-summer crowds arrive in Pärnu County. Pack for wind and the occasional Baltic shower regardless of month. From October onward, days shorten quickly, the campsite at Matsi closes for the season, and exposed coastal sections turn cold and damp; winter hiking is possible but services vanish entirely.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Section 38 is lightly serviced, so plan ahead. At the northern end, the Matsi beach campsite offers basic RMK-style coastal camping with fire pits and a shelter, typically free or under €5 for tent pitches in season. In Tõstamaa borough you will find a small guesthouse and rural homestays in the €40–70 per night range for a double room. Several farm-stays (turismitalu) near Pootsi and Varbla offer beds and home-cooked meals from roughly €35–60 per person; book directly by phone or email, as online availability is thin. Wild camping is permitted on state land under Estonia's everyman's-right tradition, provided you camp responsibly and use designated fire sites. Because resupply is minimal, carry enough food for the full day — if you are dialling in your daily intake, this guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is worth reading before you pack.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Pärnu, about 40 km from Tõstamaa. Pärnu has frequent intercity buses from Tallinn (roughly 2 hours) and Riga (about 2.5 hours), plus a small airport; the nearest major international airport is Tallinn Airport, about 130 km and a 2-hour drive north. From Pärnu, regional county buses run to Tõstamaa several times a day, taking around 50–60 minutes. The Matsi/Varbla end is served less often, so check return bus times before you set off or arrange a pickup. Many hikers base in Pärnu and use buses or a parked car shuttle to link the trailheads, since this is a point-to-point stage with no loop option.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike section 38, and there is no entry fee for the trail or its beaches. Estonia's everyman's right grants free access to walk and camp on most natural land, and the official RMK campsites along the coast are free to use. The only costs are accommodation, food and transport. If your route passes near protected nature reserves, follow posted seasonal restrictions, particularly around bird nesting areas in spring.

For authoritative, up-to-date stage data, consult the official Baltic Coastal Hiking Route day 38 page, and for background on the wider E9 corridor and its coordination see the European Ramblers Association.

Gear & Packing List

Flat coastal hiking rewards a light, simple kit. Because this stage has no climbing and easy water access, you can leave the heavy mountaineering gear at home and focus on wind protection, sun cover and dry feet. A 35–55 litre pack handles a single overnight at Matsi comfortably; for a multi-day western-coast traverse, size up.

• A lightweight, well-ventilated pack such as the Abisko Hike 35 is ideal for a day-stage with a single camp, keeping weight low across the 24 km.
• For longer self-supported Baltic coast sections, a roomier ultralight option like the 2400 Windrider or the larger 3400 Windrider carries multi-day food and camp gear without bulk.
• Waterproof jacket and windshell — Baltic showers and onshore wind are the main weather risk.
• Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen for the long, exposed beach and meadow stretches.
• Insect repellent and a head net for reed-bed and forest sections in early summer.
• Two litres of water capacity, since reliable refill points are spaced far apart.

If you are still choosing a pack for trips like this, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models across exactly this kind of low-elevation, multi-day terrain.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the quiet, flat character of section 38 appeals, the rest of the Estonian Baltic Coastal Hiking Route offers more of the same easy walking, from southern Pärnu County beaches to the cliffs and harbours near Tallinn. These connected E9 day-stages share the same waymarking and everyman's-right access, making them simple to combine into a longer coastal journey.

• E9 section 33: Häädemeeste-Uulu — a 26 km southern Pärnu County beach stage
• E9 section 60: Tabasalu - Tallinna sadam — a 25 km finish into Tallinn harbour
• E9 section 58: Laulasmaa - Vääna-Jõesuu — a 19 km wooded coastal stage west of Tallinn
• E9 section 56: Paldiski - Kersalu — a 16 km leg past the Pakri peninsula
• E9 section 57: Kersalu - Laulasmaa — a short 12 km forest-and-shore connector

For a complete change of scenery and gradient, the dramatic mountain crossing in our Theth to Valbona hike guide shows what the opposite end of the European hiking spectrum looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike E9 section 38: Tõstamaa–Matsi?
The best window runs from May to September, with June the single strongest month. June delivers the longest daylight of the year, dry and stable trail conditions after the spring thaw, comfortable high-teens temperatures, and green meadows before Pärnu County's high-summer crowds arrive. Avoid late autumn and winter, when the Matsi campsite closes and coastal services disappear.

How difficult is the Tõstamaa–Matsi section?
It is rated easy. The trail gains under 30 m of elevation across roughly 24 km, following flat coastal lanes, meadows and short forest tracks with no climbing. The main challenges are exposure to Baltic wind and sun, plus limited water resupply. Any reasonably fit walker can complete the stage in a single day, making it well suited to beginners and families.

How long is the trail and how far is that per day?
Section 38 covers approximately 24 km and is designed as one full hiking day, typically six to seven hours including breaks. Because the terrain is flat, daily distance is easy to plan and pace stays consistent. Hikers continuing along the wider 622 km Estonian Baltic Coastal Route average around 20 km per day across its roughly 30 stages.

Where can I stay along the route?
The Matsi beach campsite at the northern end offers basic coastal camping, usually free or under €5. Tõstamaa borough has a guesthouse and homestays from €40–70 per night, while farm-stays near Pootsi and Varbla provide beds and meals from about €35–60 per person. Estonia's everyman's right also permits responsible wild camping on state land along the shore.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is required and there are no entry or trail fees. Estonia's everyman's right grants free access to walk and camp on most natural land, and official RMK coastal campsites are free to use. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Where the path nears protected bird-nesting reserves, follow any posted seasonal access restrictions in spring.