Murika: Beach, Nature and Tar Kiln History

Murika combines beaches, nature-rich trails and an unusual cultural history. The Tuhkana Recreation Area, Tuhkana Beach with its broad sandy shore, and traces of traditional tar production and fishing are at the heart of the area. This makes the place suitable for you if you would like to combine different experiences during a trip: days by the water, walks through pine forests and dune landscapes, and insights into the history of the region.

Beach Access and Trails at Lake Tuhkana

The Tuhkana Recreation Area in Murika küla is located near the water-lily-rich Lake Tuhkana. From the recreation area, access to the beach is via a 300 m footpath that crosses a stream, passes Lake Tuhkana and follows a boardwalk over the sand. The area also has an information board and a 300 m trail with unpaved sections, a footbridge and a boardwalk over the sand.

A boardwalk also leads from the car park at Tuhkana Beach through the adjacent pine forest to the beach. Tuhkana Beach has a 500-metre-wide sandy shore. The water becomes deep quickly; you can take this into account when planning a day at the beach. A volleyball court also provides an opportunity for exercise on the beach.

Coastal Landscapes and Protected Habitats

The Pammana Protected Area is part of the surrounding landscape. It protects coastal lagoons, coastal meadows, grey dunes and wooded dunes. It also preserves habitats of Recurvirostra avosetta. The protected area is geographically connected with Murika küla and Pammana küla. Those who would like to combine nature observation with walks therefore have another way of exploring Murika: the landscape is not just a beach, but also an interplay of different coastal and dune environments.

Tar Kilns and Fishing History

In Murika küla, near Lake Tuhkana and in a pine forest, stands the Tuhkana-Ranna tar kiln. It was built in the last quarter of the 19th century. The tradition of “Tar production in North Saaremaa, in Tuhkana” was added to the inventory of intangible cultural heritage at the end of December 2017.

The Murika fishing coast also tells of an important past. At that time, it was considered the most important place for herring fishing. In autumn, almost half of Saaremaa’s fishermen gathered there. Those interested in regional working life, crafts and maritime history can incorporate these historical connections into their travel plans without limiting their stay to a purely beach holiday.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Murika, you can use the desired focus of your trip as a guide. If Tuhkana Beach is to be the main focus, the routes described, the boardwalk through the pine forest and the quickly deepening water are important factors in planning your day. For travellers interested in nature, the Pammana Protected Area, the dune landscapes and Lake Tuhkana offer their own points of interest. Those interested in culture can give greater weight to the tar kiln, tar production and the history of the Murika fishing coast.

Murika is therefore understood less through a single attraction than through the interplay of beach access, coastal landscapes and regional memory.

Other Places to Compare

If you would also like to compare other places for your trip planning, you can find additional destinations here: Pärsama, Meiuste, Mätja, Leisi, Linnuse, Karja, Hiievälja and Mujaste.

To the higher-level travel overview: Leisi.