Lahemaa – the first national park established in the Soviet Union and also Estonia’s oldest and largest national park – captivates with its diverse natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature on a sandy seashore, in an ancient bog, on a juniper-covered alvar, or on a green riverbank. Lahemaa is one of Europe’s most important forest conservation areas and belongs to the Natura 2000 network. The local coast is famous for its abundance of erratic boulders and stone fields. The formation of the landscape has been influenced by the Baltic Klint.
The Lahemaa National Park tourism region, located in five municipalities across two counties – in Kuusalu Parish and Loksa City in Harju County, and in Haljala, Kadrina, and Tapa Parishes in Lääne-Viru County – also includes the Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve, located amidst forests and bogs, and the hilly Neeruti Landscape Protection Area. Approximately 24,000 people live in the region. Active communities and small businesses operate here. The most important economic sectors are agriculture and forestry. The most active developer of tourism activities is the Lahemaa Tourism Association.
This area, with its pleasant forests, peaceful sandy beaches, large erratic boulders, picturesque forest lakes, and well-maintained hiking trails, is a paradise for nature lovers. Accommodation options include both holiday homes and holiday villages. Several caterers bear the North Estonian local food label. Lahemaa holds the Europarc Sustainable Tourism Certificate from the European Federation of Protected Areas and the global Green Destination Gold Level.
Rich cultural heritage can be found in old coastal and rural villages, small towns, and two small towns with unique history and architecture – Loksa and Tapa. The region is home to several interesting manors, with Jäneda, Kiiu, Kolga, Palmse, Sagadi, Vihula, and Neeruti leaving the most impressive impression. Landmarks include Kadrina and Kuusalu churches and Viitna Tavern. Viinistu houses the largest private collection of Estonian art, and Käsmu has a maritime museum. Smaller museums are also worth visiting. Military enthusiasts can find exciting Soviet-era border guard facilities. More and more small ports in Northern Estonia are ready to serve visitors.
A large part of Estonia’s old folk songs and dances have been collected from Lahemaa. Folk culture is kept alive by community centers, where, in addition to community events, private parties and seminars can be organized, and public events take place. Cultural life is especially vibrant in summer, when several traditional outdoor events take place: Jäneda Farm Days, Fishermen’s Day celebrations in coastal villages, music festivals in Võsu, St. Lawrence’s Day festivities in Kuusalu, Viru Folk in Käsmu, Tapa Sausage Festival, Loksa City Day, and ancient fires night bonfires on the beaches. It is also worth visiting the Presidential Hike and fairs in Kuusalu, Jäneda, Kolga, and Loksa.
The basis for cooperation in the Lahemaa National Park tourism region is the Arenduskoda non-profit organization-led creation of “Lahemaa National Park Tourism Region Sustainable Development Strategy 2019-2030+”
