Lahemaa is the land of giant boulders. Here you can find at least 20 giant boulders (with a diameter of over 10 meters or
a circumference of over 25 meters), more than anywhere else in Europe. In Estonia, the study of erratic boulders was initiated
at the end of the 19th century by Helmersen, director of the Russian Geological Committee, who mapped erratic boulders in Lahemaa together with the Baron of Palmse.
One way to discover Lahemaa is to tour it by visiting
its boulders. More information about Lahemaa’s erratic boulders can be found at the Palmse and Oandu visitor centers and
on the information board near the Altja boat sheds.
Stone circle locations on Google Maps
1. Majakivi is Estonia’s third-largest erratic boulder, located on the Juminda Peninsula. A 7 km nature trail leads to it,
which also features a viewing tower.
2. Mardimiku boulder, located on the bank of the Valgejõgi River on the outskirts of Loksa, is named after a nearby farm.
3. Mustkivi, located on the seashore opposite the Viinistu Art Museum, is a ‘baby stone’ from behind which, according to
legend, the village children originated.
4. Jaani-Tooma boulder in Kasispea village has been one of the symbols of Lahemaa National Park and Estonia’s
most famous giant boulder.
5. Two of the Tammispea giant boulders meet the criteria for a giant boulder. The largest of them claims the title of Estonia’s
tallest boulder.
6. Käsmu boulder field, possibly the world’s largest, is located in the forest along a hiking trail. In Käsmu, it’s also worth walking
to the Vana-Jüri boulders, which offer a beautiful view of Saartneeme.
7. A 2.5 km hiking trail leads to Ojakivi in the forest near Võsu township. Ojakivi is the 3rd largest by volume
in Lahemaa and 14th in Estonia.
8. The Altja giant boulder near the net sheds is the ‘baby stone’ of Altja village. All the village children were said to have been brought from behind it.
If any child wanted a brother or sister, they had to go and knock on the stone, and the wish would come true.
9. Kaarna boulder, associated with many legends and love stories, is located on the seashore in Vainupea village.
From Kaarna boulder, one can get revitalizing water and an underground passage leading to the underworld starts beneath it.
10. Vahakivi is a giant boulder in Palmse associated with many names and several ancient legends.
