The protected erratic boulder Suure Tõllu kerisekivi, also known as Raka kivi, is in the village of Kõõru. Two other natural features are on a different scale: Marete auk is a karst water body, or sinkhole, where water is present year-round; Mareteaukemägi is the highest and most representative sandy area in the hiking area between the villages of Odalätsi, Kuremetsa and Kõõru. The range therefore extends from a single named stone to a water-filled karst formation and a sandy area in a landscape between three villages.

The Erratic Boulder and Its Measurements

A measurement taken in 1986 recorded the erratic boulder as 6.4 × 3.3 × 4.5 metres, with a circumference of 19 metres. The three measurements describe its dimensions; the circumference adds another indication of its size. This makes it possible to identify the boulder not only by name, but also by specific figures. Its name, too, is not limited to a single form: Suure Tõllu kerisekivi and Raka kivi are two names for the same protected stone. Visitors interested in clearly named natural features and their measurements will find a precise point of reference here in Kõõru.

Karst Water and Sand in the Hiking Area

Marete auk is a karst water body, or sinkhole, where water is present year-round. Here, the focus is on the presence of water throughout the year. This distinguishes the natural feature from the specific measurements of the erratic boulder: the water and karst formation offer a different perspective from a single stone with recorded dimensions. Mareteaukemägi is the highest and most representative sandy area in the hiking area between Odalätsi, Kuremetsa and Kõõru. The comparison shows the different scales involved: the erratic boulder is in the village of Kõõru, while the sandy area is part of a hiking area situated between three villages.

Historical Connections to the Area

The history of the area also encompasses different kinds of connections. In the 18th century, the farms in Kõõru also belonged to Paju Manor. A barn on the Mardi farm in Kõõru, in Mustjala parish, was built in the early 19th century. The first detail links farms to a manor; the second identifies a specific agricultural building and when it was built. From 1977 to 1997, Kõõru was part of Pidula. This later period adds an administrative connection to the area’s history of farms and buildings. The history of the manor, the building and the affiliation with Pidula can thus be distinguished in terms of both time and subject.

Nature and Local History to Help You Choose

You can weigh these topics according to your interests when planning your trip. The erratic boulder will appeal to readers who want to learn about a specifically named and measured natural monument; Marete auk and Mareteaukemägi represent karst water and sand in the hiking area, respectively. Those more interested in local history will find points of connection in the area’s association with Paju Manor, the barn on the Mardi farm and its later connection with Pidula. Nature and history therefore offer different reasons to consider visiting Kõõru.

Discover more destinations: Salme, Rannaküla, Kuralase, Valjala, Haapsu, Pamma, Mustjala, Orissaare.

For the wider travel overview: Saaremaa.