Hiking Trails

The best way to explore Lahemaa’s nature is to set aside enough time, pack comfortable hiking gear, and embark on discovering the local hiking and nature trails. Lahemaa’s trails vary in difficulty and character – from one-to-two-hour bog loops and the 45 km Oandu-Ikla hiking trail to a rocky kilometer leading to Purekkari Cape, the northernmost tip of mainland Estonia. The forests of Käsmu peninsula invite exploration both on foot and by bike. Lahemaa is also traversed by the E11 long-distance hiking trail, whose Baltic section is known as the Forest Hiking Trail, and which begins in the city of Scheveningen in the Netherlands and ends in Tallinn.

For Lahemaa’s hiking trails, we recommend bringing a guide, whom you can find here.

When venturing into nature, always ensure that your impact on the environment is limited to your presence. Sort any packaging and used napkins according to waste management rules. Keep the hiking trails in Lahemaa clean!

Lahemaa National Park Nature Trails:

Majakivi Hiking Trail
Author: Margus Kontus

Altja Nature and Cultural History Trail | 4.2 km
Beaver Trail | 1 km
Käsmu Nature and Cultural History Trail | 4.2 km
Majakivi-Pikanõmme Nature Trail | 7 km
Oandu Old-Growth Forest Trail | 4.7 km
Oandu Heritage Culture Trail | 3.4 km
Oandu Herbalist’s Trail | 1 km
Ojaäärse Forest Trail | 3.5 km
Sagadi-Oandu Forest Tales Trail | 5.6 km
Tsitre Trees Trail | 1 km
Viru Bog Nature Trail | 3.5 km
Hara Bay Coastal Nature Trail
Mohni Nature and Hiking Trail
Mähu Tip and Purekkari Cape Birdwatching Trails
Pähkneeme Dune Pine Forest and Seashore Trail
Võsu Local History Trails

Lahemaa National Park Hiking Trails:
Käsmu Cycling Trail | 11.6 km
Käsmu Hiking Trail | 15 km
Oandu-Võsu Hiking Trail | 9.5 km

Viewing Platforms:
Majakivi-Pikanõmme Nature Trail
Viru Bog

Birdwatching Towers:
Vihasoo Birdwatching Tower
Viinistu Birdwatching Towers

Tamsalu Disc Golf

The diverse 18-basket disc golf park, which is quite challenging, is located on the Tamsalu health trails. There are mandos, complex ob-areas, open drives longer than 150 metres, and narrow 70-metre forest trails.
You can rent discs from the Tamsalu Sports Centre (three hours costs 2 euros). The park is open 24 hours and if you have your own discs, you can play for free.

Come and test the park!

 

Tamsalu Sports Complex Ski Trails

When snow covers the land, cross-country ski trails will be waiting for you near the Tamsalu Sports Complex. You can ski on trails with different lengths and the 4 km trail is lighted until 21.00. Useful information: see our homepage for more detailed information about the trails and snow.

Tamsalu Sports Complex also has washing facilities, sauna, pool and gym. There’s also a hostel and café.

Tapa madalseiklusrada

Tapa linnas, Männikumäe tänaval, asub kaasaegne madalseikluspark. Park on osa Tapa valla tervisespordi- ja vaba aja veetmise infrastruktuuri arendamisest ning selle eesmärk on pakkuda linnakogukonnale kvaliteetset ja ligipääsetavat liikumisvõimalust.

Madalseikluspark koosneb 33 erinevast elemendist, mis sobivad nii lastele kui täiskasvanutele. Platvormide vahel on sildade ja takistuste süsteem, mis arendab tasakaalu, koordinatsiooni ja meeskonnatööd. Rajatis on piisavalt suur, et korraga saab parkid kuni 70 autot, võimaldades nii individuaalset kui grupitegevust.

Parki kasutavad aktiivselt Tapa linna haridusasutused, spordiklubid ja erinevad kogukonnad ja oodatud on ka kõik piirkonna külastajad. See on avatud kõigile huvilistele, pakkudes võimalusi igapäevaseks liikumiseks, treeninguteks ning korraldatud üritusteks. Lisaks asub madalseikluspark terviseradade, suusaradade, discgolfi raja ja trennipargi läheduses, luues mitmekesise liikumisvõimaluste piirkonna.

Tapa Männikumäe disc-golfi park
Disc-golf on Eestis plahvatuslikult kasvanud ja võib julgelt öelda, et Eesti on selle mängu harrastamises maailmas esiviisikus! Seega sea sammud disc-golfi rajale ja proovi ka ise ketas korvi saada!

Tapa linna piiril ootab sind 18-korviga 1,8 km pikkune mängurada, mis sobib nii algajale kui ka juba kogenenud mängijale. Suvel mõnusas roheluses ja talvel lume sees mängimine on kõigile põnev tegevus.

Raja kasutamine on tasuta ja julgelt võib tulla oma ketastega mängima. Kel kettaid omal pole, saab need laenutada 1,5 km kaugusel olevast Tapa Spordikeskusest 2 € eest.
Traveller Tours day trip to Lahemaa National Park with a guide

Come and discover Lahemaa and its pristine nature, manor buildings, and seaside villages.

The day trip follows the tracks of the most beautiful places in Estonia. We will hike in Viru Bog and immerse ourselves in North Estonia’s landscape. We will stop at Jägala Waterfall, the largest natural waterfall in Estonia, which is a particularly powerful sight in summer and when it’s frozen in winter.

We will visit the historic Sagadi Manor complex, where you will get an idea of Estonia’s manor life. Then we head to the fishing village of Altja, where the atmosphere of the real Estonian beach village awaits us. We take a lunch break at the local tavern (lunch is not included in the price).

The tour includes transportation and a guide service.

Tsitre Tree Trail and Camping Area

Tsitre, located in Lahemaa National Park, is a historical site. As late as the middle of the last century, many buildings of the famous summer estate of Tsitre were still standing, and a large manor complex was located here – mansions, servants’ houses, stables, rose gardens, paths, alleys, a bowling alley, bathing houses and a passenger port. Now time and nature have done their job. The Tsitre Tree Trail runs through the former manor park, introducing the remaining trees. The oldest pine trees may be up to 300 years old, and the horse chestnuts over 120 years old. From the observation tower, you can admire Kolga Bay.

There are also several rest areas along the trail with benches and tables, barbecues, and camping sites.

Tülivere sacred oak
The Tülivere sacred oak, a protected tree, is a sacred old tree which received food offerings in order to ensure bountiful crops and cattle as recently as the last century. Ancient Estonians considered the gap in the oak to be a place of reconciliation, which is how the tree received its name as ‘tüli’ means quarrel in Estonian.
The large oak is located on a hillock, close to the Tülivere brook. The giant tree features a unique gap similar to an arched door where a person can enter, almost without having to bend down. The dim interior of the tree’s cavity is the size of a tiny chamber, allowing two adults to stand up within.

The oak is located on private land, so it can only be visited during the daytime.
Ulukitarkuse matk metsa koos loodusgiidiga

Loodusgiidi juhendamisel õpitakse tundma metsaelanike tegevusjälgi looduses, ulukite lisasöötmise põhimõtteid, tutvutakse jahimeeste tegevustega ulukite arvukuse reguleerimisel.

Loodusgiidiga matk hõlmab ringkäiku metsas ning trofeedega (nt sarved, kihvad, nahad) tutvumist. Sobilik matk seltskondadele, kes hoolivad loodusest ja nõustuvad olukorraga, et inimtegevus on mõjutanud looduse tasakaalu ning vajadust selle reguleerimiseks inimese poolt.

Sobilik lastega peredele, sõpradele ja töökollektiividele.

Ürditee pakikeste tegemise töötuba

Pane proovile oma maitsemeeled, avasta Magasimaa maagilisi võimalusi – tule ja loo erilisi kooslusi, mida hiljem naudid teetassis! Võimalik on teha mitut sorti meelepäraseid segusid ja pakendada teekotikestesse. Kasutada on Magasimaa aasal kasvanud ürte, õisi, vürtse, marju.

Oled oodatud Lahemaa Rahvuspargi südames asuvasse Magasimaa talu töötuppa kestvusega 45 min. Hinnas sisalduvad vajalikud vahendid, materjalid ja juhendamine. Töötoas valminud ürditee pakikesed saavad segumeistrid endaga kaasa viia.

Soovi korral rendime lisatasu eest suurema saali Magasimaa läheduses või tuleme mujale.

Vaindloo saare avastusretked
See on Eesti päris põhjatipu avastusretk. Ja rannikust ühe kaugeimal asuva Eesti väikesaare külastus. Siin on kõndinud vähesed inimesed. Sageli öeldakse, et Purekkari neem Lahemaa rahvuspargis on Eesti põhjatipp. Mandri-Eesti oma tõepoolest. Riigi päris põhjapoolseim paik on aga Kunda rannikust Lääne-Virumaal ~28 km kaugusel avameres asuv Vaindloo saar.

Peale meresõitu kaatriga näeme üle kuue hektari kivist maad, Eesti suuruselt neljandat rändrahnu, tuletorni (muide, kunagi Vormsilt sinna toodud), radarijaama ja veel veidi väheldast hoonestust. Vestame kohalugusid, mis suuremad kui saar ise.
Vainupea beach

Vainupea beach is located in Lääne-Viru County in Vihula Rural Municipality. The beach is well-maintained and has dressing booths. The beach also has benches, a boardwalk, rubbish pins and toilets.

Summering became fashionable in Estonia after the abolition of serfdom at the end of the 19th century. About a century ago, Vainupea was already a busy holiday spot.

Water wizard's expedition at the source of clean water

Study programme ‘Water wizard’s expedition at the source of clean water’ by the Clean Water Theme Park is an authentic and interesting service, which introduces Estonia and the bowels of the earth. Its keywords are environmental sensitivity and authentic natural and cultural experiences. The characteristics of the Pandivere Upland and the nitrate-sensitive area of Pandivere-Adavere-Põltsamaa is used to show how karst is formed and explain the phenomenon of karst. Additionally, different sinkholes are visited, as well as the mystical Varangu blue springs, which are talked about in relation to the local culture. Participants will learn about the large and small hydrologic cycle in the wild.

 

Veetarga retk Harjumaa puhta vee tekkekohas


Avastage Kostivere maastikukaitseala, Jägala juga ja Jõelähtme kanjonid ning Linnamäe HEJ, kus tutvume ainulaadse kivist seene ja karsti uhtuvormidega. Külastame karsti koopa- ja lõhesüsteeme, õpime karstinähtuste teket ja mõju loodusele. Veerõõmu pakuvad kurisud ja allikad, mis on seotud kohaliku kultuuripärandiga. Samuti tutvustame suurte ja väikeste veeringe kulgu ning keemilisi reaktsioone lubjakiviga. Sobib suurepäraselt peredele koos lastega, sõpradele ja töökollektiividele, kes soovivad põnevaid avastusi looduses!

Veeteemaline jalgrattamatk või jalgrattarent Pandivere kõrgustikul

Avastage Pandivere kõrgustiku ja Puhta vee teemapargi looduse ilu meie kohandatud jalgrattatuuridel.

Pakume ekskursioone Porkuni järve, Äntu järvede, Norra allikate ja karstiala kaudu. Loome just teie soovidele vastava matka pikkuse ja kestuse. Alustame Tamsalu raudteejaamast või teie poolt valitud ühistranspordi punktist.

Sobib peredele, sõpradele ja töökollektiividele, kes soovivad avastada Eestimaa kauneid loodusmälestisi ja nautida aktiivset päeva.

Vihasoo birdwatching tower

The tower is located in Vihasoo coastal meadow, the most bird-populated area of Lahemaa National Park. There, you will see the islands of the Gulf of Eru, which are the nesting area for 26 species of birds and a stopping place for migratory birds.
The tower, which is 7 m high and approximately 4 m from the ground, holds a few dozen people at a time. Information boards introduce the birds of the islands and the Gulf of Eru, and the protected European white elm next to the road.
The tower is located in an area surrounded by an electric fence which is meant for a beef cattle. The tower can be accessed via a corner of the fence, where the cattle cannot fit through.
There is a permanent exhibition of bird pictures in the observation tower.

 

Vihula Manor Mini-Golf

Vihula Mini-Golf course is located on a beautiful island in the Mustoja River. The 1880 m² 18-hole mini golf course is the largest in the Baltics. The educational and entertaining course meets international standards. During the game, you can see the sights of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

If you have not played golf before and would like to try this game, Vihula Manor offers a unique opportunity to play mini golf and educate yourself at the same time!

Viitna järvede veealuse võlu avastusmatk klaaskajakiga

Klaaskajak pakub ainulaadset võimalust uurida järvede veealust võlumaailma ilma vette sukeldumata. Läbipaistev kajak võimaldab selgelt näha järvepõhja, taimestikku ja võimalusel ka vee-elukaid, luues visuaalselt lummava elamuse. Selline matk sobib eriti hästi neile, kes soovivad loodust nautida mugavalt ja kuivalt. Ideaalne ka lastele.

Viitna järved on haruldased oma liustikutekkelise päritolu ja selge vee poolest, mis peegeldavad ümbritsevaid metsi ning loovad rahuliku meeleolu. Neid ümbritseb Viitna maastikukaitseala, kus kohtuvad looduslik elurikkus, allikarohkem kaldad ja kaunid matkarajad.

Viitna nature studies trail
The Viitna nature studies trail forms part of the Viitna nature reserve and is 7 km long. It begins near the Viitna holiday village, and the trees along the path are marked for navigation. Along the trail you will see a variety of landscapes and lakes formed by the movement of the continental ice sheet.
Viru raba avastusmatk räätsadel

Viru rabamatkal liigume räätsadel, kogeme looduse värve, heli, lõhna, maitset ja kombime. Viru rabamatkal läbime erinevaid soo arenguetappe. Peatume laukajärve ja vaatetorni juures. Uurime soode teket ja arengut ning tutvume raba taimestikuga ja vaatleme loomade tegevusjälgi. Tutvume turbasambla ehitusega ja arutleme turbasambla rolli üle soode kujunemisel ja inimeste elus. Lahendame küsimuse, kas turvas on taastuv või taastumatu maavara. Julgemad saavad ujuda laukas. Puhkehetkel keedame teed ja sööme.

Viru Bog Study Trail

The Viru Bog Study Trail is one of the most accessible bog trails in Estonia, where you can experience the diverse landscapes typical of Lahemaa National Park.

The trail alternates between forest trails, former sand dunes, ridges, and spacious bog fields. The 3.5 km long path is marked with information boards that tell the story of the bog’s formation, its importance in nature, and information about bog plants such as moor grass and cloudberries. At the end of the trail, you can see the former peat field restoration area, accompanied by explanatory signs. You can also walk the trail in a circle. In this case, the route length is 5.5 km.

The 11-meter-high observation tower in the middle of the trail offers a wonderful view of the entire bog. A wide boardwalk leads to the tower (1.3 km), which is also suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, and the first platform of the tower can be reached without stairs. The boardwalk becomes narrower as it progresses. The nearby Kalmeoja campfire site offers the opportunity to relax or camp.

Discover the charm of Viru Bog – just an hour’s drive from Tallinn!