SÄÄRETIRP

Drive on from the museum, up the "hill" to the main road, and drive across the road towards the statue of Leiger. Follow the sign "Sääretirp".

Photo: Hanno Luukas

This original name is given to a headland that is very often named Orjaku or Kassari säär (Kassari shank) on the maps. Reserve some time to properly enjoy Sääretirp peninsula. It is about 3 km from the main road to the parking lot. A statue of the Hiiumaa giant Leiger also serves as a guide. Leiger is building the bridge (see the legend).

Driving on top of Sääremäe hill is also an experience, with junipers on both sides of the road and picturesque views of the sea. The midsummer night bonfire and camping areas are also popular among the visitors, since many prefer this particular beach. The hot sun warms the low waters in the bay and the beaches are full of people, just wandering around, engaged in sports or passing by for refreshment in a hot summer day. Kassari's beautiful beaches are open to all, so it is important to preserve the Nordic beauty for posterity.

The Sääretirp parking lot also offers a beautiful view: the wild blue yonder above and gnarled junipers all around. Here you have an option of travelling along the main road, or choosing a smaller path between the juniper bushes leading to the nearest beach. The most beautiful way to the end of the peninsula is the curvy path on the range. The end of the path recalls the Estonian song: "When the Earth was created long time ago, God created also Hiiumaa..."

The geological facts are that this is actually a cavern in a northeasterlysouthwesterly direction, or an esker that the sea has shaped for a long time, with vegetation on its higher reaches, but covered with scree where approaches the sea. The more interesting of the trees and bushes are honeysuckle, black alder, buckthorn, and bush cranberry. Rows of sea kale - striking while in bloom - and the romantic blossoms of brier adorn the shore.

Legends and stories

Leiger, who came to Hiiumaa from Saaremaa, was famous for his cosy sauna and huge cabbages. It was especially for these things that his relative Suur Tõll from Saaremaa came to visit Leiger as often as he did. It was common knowledge that Suur Tõll didn't want his legs to become wet, so Leiger and his sons decided to build a bridge between the two islands. They gathered together many stones, which formed quite a long bank, but it didn’t quite reach Saaremaa. It isn't known why they didn't finish the job, but most likely there were some differences of opinions among the giants. But the beginning of the bridge is still there - the wonderful Sääretirp.

Surroundings

The most famous vacationers in Kassari were the writer Aino Kallas and linguist and diplomat Oskar Kallas. A sign will lead you to their summer house.