Hiiumaa is a bleak but breathtakingly beautiful island in the Eastern Baltic, a nature reserve that covers an area of just under 1,000 sq km. It is Estonia’s second largest island, separated from the mainland by 22 k wide strait and surrounded by some 200 deserted islets and reefs, where, over the centuries hundreds of ships have come to grief. Photo by: Tiina Gill

More than half the island is covered in pine, birch, and spruce forest with many rare plant species – a heaven for wildlife, elks, deer, wild boar, and even lynxes may be spotted. The 320 km coastline of meadowland, peat moor, juniper shrubbery, and dunes is highly indented with long stretches of isolated sandy beach. Photo by: sularahasass

Among the hundreds of bird species that nest and migrate here are black storks, golden eagles, cranes and avocets. Less than a quarter of the island is farmland and there is only one sizable settlement, the town of Kardla. Photo by: saekhow

Although little of the island’s history has been recorded, there is a strong sense of its seafaring tradition that continues to be handed down from one generation to the next one. Hiiumaa is a perfect place to commune with nature, explore unusual scenery and escape from the mainstream tourist routes. Photo by: Tiina Gill

When to go: May to September, although hardy eco-tourists will be prepared to brave the icy Russian winds. Population: 11,900. How to get there: Ferry from Rohukula, mainland Estonia, takes 90 minutes (no boats in winter when the sea is icy up). Photo by: Tiina Gill