Йоавески, Protected cascade in Joaveski, Estonia
Joaveski is a protected cascade on the Loobu River that spans roughly 160 meters and consists of six limestone steps, each between 0.5 and 1.1 meters tall. A suspension bridge provides viewing access from different positions along the water formation.
The cascade was formed in the late 1800s when a hydroelectric power station was constructed at this river location, converting what was originally a single waterfall into the six-step formation seen today. This human intervention reshaped the natural water feature into its current stepped appearance.
The cascade serves as an educational site where visitors learn about the geological formations of the North Estonian Klint and limestone structures.
The cascade area is straightforward to explore and the suspension bridge makes it easy to see the water formations from multiple angles. Visitors should use the marked paths and watch for slippery surfaces on the rocks, especially after rainfall.
The riverbed and banks expose layers from the Ordovician period, a geological age hundreds of millions of years old, attracting those interested in Earth's deep history. These natural rock exposures offer a window into ancient geological time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
