Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park, Estonia's largest protected area, lies 70 kilometers east of Tallinn along the Gulf of Finland. You can walk the 3.5-kilometer boardwalk through Viru bog, explore the restored rooms of 18th-century Palmse Manor, or watch migrating cranes rest on the rocky beaches. The park spans 725 square kilometers, where brown bears and lynx inhabit ancient forests, and traditional fishing villages like Käsmu preserve their wooden architecture and maritime customs.

Getting to Lahemaa National Park

The park lies an hour's drive east of Tallinn along the E20 highway. You'll have more flexibility exploring the park's spread-out sites with a rental car, especially during winter when public transport runs less frequently.

Natural Landscapes of Lahemaa

Forests cover 70% of the park, with hiking trails leading through spruce and pine trees growing on thick carpets of moss. At Viru bog, a 3.5-kilometer wooden boardwalk takes you past small lakes and viewing platforms. Look for wild cotton flowers blooming in June and July. Along the northern coast, you'll find rocky shores with glacier-transported boulders and sandy beaches where locals swim during summer months.

Wildlife and Birdwatching

Early mornings and dusk are the best times to spot wildlife. Look for moose near forest clearings, especially in spring and early summer. Brown bears are most active in late summer when berries ripen, while lynx leave tracks in snowy forests during winter. From late September to early October, you can watch thousands of cranes gather at coastal meadows before their migration to Egypt. The Juminda Peninsula's tip serves as an excellent birdwatching point during spring migration.

Historic Manor Houses

Four 18th-century manor houses remain from the Baltic German period. At Palmse Manor, which serves as the park's visitor center, you can tour restored period rooms and walk through formal gardens. Sagadi Manor contains a forest museum explaining local ecosystems. Vihula Manor now operates as a hotel, while Kolga Manor maintains its original baroque architecture despite needing restoration. Each manor's grounds include walking paths and ponds.

Fishing Villages and Maritime Culture

In Käsmu, once home to sea captains and maritime school students, the Maritime Museum displays navigation equipment and ship models in an old border guard station. Walk to Altja village to see traditional wooden net sheds and try the village swing overlooking the sea. The wooden houses and boat sheds in these villages date from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Soviet Military History

At Hara Harbor, concrete structures of a 1950s submarine base remain along the coast. While you can explore the graffiti-covered ruins, watch your step around crumbling concrete. For a safer view, take the coastal hiking trail that passes by the site. The nearby Juminda Peninsula saw one of the largest naval battles of World War II in 1941.

Seasonal Activities

Summer temperatures reach 20-25°C, ideal for swimming at sandy beaches and forest hiking. Autumn colors peak in late September when bog plants turn red. Winter brings temperatures below freezing, making conditions right for cross-country skiing on marked trails. In spring, watch for the first wood anemones blooming in April while migrating birds return.

Local Food

Restaurants in the park cook with ingredients from nearby forests and waters. Try elk meat stew, Baltic herring, or mushroom soup depending on the season. Viitna Korts, a tavern operating since the 1700s, serves traditional Estonian dishes in its historic roadside building.