Lahemaa nationalpark i Estland - natur och herrgårdar

In co-operation with the Estonian Tourist Board

Lahemaa National Park in Estonia is a large natural area that offers great hiking opportunities, but also cosy fishing villages and beautiful old mansions. Here we also found, by chance, some Swedish history.

Table of contents

On the road from Tallinn - the Jägala case

After our visit to Tallinn, we headed east towards Jägala Falls, 35 kilometres from the capital. This waterfall is the largest in the Baltics, with a drop of 8 metres and a width of 70 metres at its widest. In spring and autumn the water is at its highest, and now in summer the fall was a little less wide. It was nice anyway!

Overnight stay at Valkla beach

We decided to stay at a campsite and holiday resort at Valkla beach, which is called Valkla Rand. This place has a great location on a long sandy beach, and it's probably a favourite when the weather is nice. There's a restaurant, beach bar and canoe and stand-up paddleboard hire.

Motorhomes are welcome, but it felt like the place was more used to tents and cottage accommodation. There is electricity for some motorhomes and it was possible to fill water in the motorhome, but they seemed a bit surprised by the question. We could not find a place to empty grey water. The price was 25 euros.

READ MORE: Kynö in Estonia - the island where women are in charge
READ MORE: The cliffs of Ontika in Estonia - and Oru Park in Toila

Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

The next day it was time to roll to Lahemaa National Park in Estonia, or Lahemaa Rahvuspark, as the park is called in Estonian. The park is known for its beautiful nature with hiking trails on wooden footbridges, but also for its beautiful old mansions.

Our initial thought was to find a nice hike, which you should be able to do at Viru Bog, but it was raining heavily as we approached the park so hiking was not an option. so enticing. There were some other interesting visits instead!

Kolga mõis - Kolga manor house

We saw Kolga mõis, the Kolga mansion, by chance while driving along the road. We stopped to check out the cool house, and it was a much more interesting visit than we had expected.

Kolga mois i Lahemaa nationalpark i Estland

We stepped into the open house and were greeted by a grand, but very run-down entrance. We read some signs and it turned out that the house once belonged to a Swedish family, the Stenbock family. A woman came by, and when we asked her about the house, she asked us to follow her to the museum in the neighbouring building.

Kolga mois i nationalparken Lahemaa i Estland

Wow, how interesting! The museum tells the story of the Swedish Stenbock family, who left the country in 1937 and were not able to return until the 1990s. Some of their belongings are here, although most of them have been moved to museums in Poznan, Poland. The museum also tells you a lot about life in Estonia in the past. For example, sewing machines were expensive but essential items that could help a family survive in difficult times.

Our guide showed us some interesting objects in the museum. For example, do you know what the gadget in the photo below is? It's a manikin you use to take off your shoes. In the photo below, she shows the Stenbock family's shopping list.

"Don't forget to buy home" it says, and underneath you can tick products like soap, bread or coal and firewood. Most visitors here probably can't read the sign, so it's nice to come here as a Swede! We had to pay 2 euros each for the guided tour.

READ MORE: Dagö in Estonia - among lighthouses and Swedish history
READ MORE: Lake Peipus in Estonia - village festivals, onions and old-timers

Palmse mõis - Palmse manor house

We set the GPS to a more famous and well renovated mansion called Palmse. This mansion is beautifully situated, surrounded by water, gardens and gazebos.

The site has a history dating back to 1287, and the house you can see today was built in 1782-1785. The buildings were renovated in 1975-1985, so today you can walk around the beautifully furnished and decorated rooms. In the basement there is a wine cellar where you can taste or buy both wine and spirits, including several local varieties. We paid 9 euros per person for the visit here.

Käsmu - Captain's village

Another place to visit in Lahemaa National Park in Estonia is Käsmu, or Captain's Village as it is also known. Here you can go on a tour in "Viking ships". We also saw many wonderfully charming guesthouses in beautiful wooden houses and a cosy little ACSI-controlled campsite in what looked like a large garden.

Vikingabåt i Lahemaa nationalpark i Estland

Fishing village of Altja in Lahemaa National Park

We also made a visit to the fishing village of Altja. This village was first mentioned in written sources in 1465 and is a typical old fishing village. On the cape of Altja you can see old-fashioned cottages built in the memory of the villagers and there is also the Altja tavern, where you can eat native dishes.

The nature around Altja is green and beautiful. In the sea outside you can see large boulders that were moved here during the ice age.

We stayed in Altja overnight, at a small "campsite" right next to the restaurant in Altja. There were no signs, so it was a bit unclear what was going on, but after a few hours a nice girl came and wanted 10 euros for the night. There is a rubbish bin, and you are close to the sea and the restaurant.

Camping Altja i Lahemaa nationalpark i Estland

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Vergi and Võsu in Lahemaa National Park

The next day we had time to look around a bit more in the area. Among other things, we looked into Vergi and out on the nice headland Vergi Sadam (the pictures). We also went to the slightly larger town of Võsu, where we found an ATM and saw that there is a larger campsite.

Sagadi mõis - Sagadi manor house

Before leaving Lahemaa National Park in Estonia, we visited another mansion, Sagadi mõis. Here we were very lucky. Apart from the sun shining, we happened to come on the only day of the year when entry is free, and when people come to try on and borrow period clothes for half an hour, which was incredibly popular.

One room was full of beautiful clothes and both children and adults tried them on. Then, of course, they wanted to photograph each other in the beautiful surroundings, both indoors and outdoors. On normal days, it costs €4 to visit the mansion, and there are many beautiful rooms to see.

We are very happy with our visit to the national park, and if the weather is nice, you can stay longer. Travelling by motorhome is easy!

Video from the National Park

Video from Tallinn and the Jägala case

Facts about Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

Location: Harjumaa Lääne-Virumaa, Northern Estonia
Area: 725 sqm (474.1 sqm land and 250.9 sqm water)
Inauguration of the park: 1971
The history of the park: Before 1991, the Soviet Union conducted military naval activities in the area, including a large secret submarine base. Remnants of this military activity can be seen in several places.

Animals and nature in Lahemaa National Park

Habitats: Rocky and sandy seashores, marshes, pine forests, rivers and ice age boulders.
Animals: Many birds and large mammals, such as wild boar, deer, wolves, bears and lynx. South of the park is the Kõrvemaa forest area, which is home to moose, wild boar, brown bear, lynx, foxes and other wild animals.

Things to see and do in Lahemaa National Park

Activities: Hiking, exploring nature and visiting fishing villages, old mansions and museums.
Mansions: Kolga manor, Palmse manor, Vihula manor and Sagadi manor.
Museums: Käsmu Marine Museum, which includes the opportunity to try out a Viking ship, and museums at the various manor houses.

Practical info

Accessibility: The hiking trails made on wooden poles (3.5 kilometres at Viru Bog) are also suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Travelling here: Lahemaa National Park is less than an hour's drive from Tallinn.

Accommodation in Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

Pensions and guesthouses: There are plenty of guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and private rooms for rent. Many are located in beautiful old wooden houses in beautiful surroundings.
Campsites: Lepispea Caravan & Camping just outside Võsu, Campingplatz bei Restaurant "Lahemaa Kohvikann" in Palmse, Camping Uustalu on Neeme tee 78 A in Käsmu and a simple small campsite without services in Altja. There are also car parks here and there where you see motorhomes parked.

READ MORE: Facts about Estonia - 30 things you (might) not know

Programme "Promoting Estonia as a Tourism Destination" is supported by European Union Regional Development Fund.

13 Comments

Add yours →

Lisen Espeland says:

Good morning!
It will be great fun to travel with you!
What a great start!

08 July 2019 - 8:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really great start! Fantastic national park that offered some fun surprises! ??
  
  08 July 2019 - 14:19
  
Ama de casa says:

So heavenly nice! I like the waterfall, the big stone and the beautiful water pictures the most, I think 🙂 .

08 July 2019 - 10:00

- Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
  
  Such a shame that your hiking plans were rained out, but you got lots of other wonderful experiences!
  Waterfalls are always cool!
  
  08 July 2019 - 13:07
  
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Britt-Marie, the weather swings back and forth between bright sunshine and rain. But we are very happy with our visit to the national park!
    
    08 July 2019 - 14:24
    
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Ama de Casa, really super nice! Fantastic nature and peace and quiet! ??
  
  08 July 2019 - 14:23
  
Role o Carina says:

Nice trip you are on in a nice Plåtis! 🙂

Take care....

08 July 2019 - 10:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes indeed! ?? And thank you very much!
  
  08 July 2019 - 14:25
  
BP says:

Great pictures despite the weather! Of course, I wondered what a "lökkeplats" on the first sign is for something.
Oh you have really become "cultural" during your recent trips. I guess the Estonian Tourist Board asks you to visit such places to promote them. If so, it was perfect that it was raining.

PS. I wonder why they don't restore the dilapidated entrance to Stenbockshuset. Lack of money, I guess. DS.

08 July 2019 - 21:54

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, I have no idea what lökkeplats are. And good that you ask, but no, the Estonian Tourist Board has not asked us to visit any specific places really. They have given us many tips, but mostly based on our wishes. They told us about this national park, but the mansions we found ourselves. We have probably always been interested in beautiful houses and castles. Peter used to paint stucco and such, so he has always liked castles. (The collaboration is based on the fact that we receive tips and some financial compensation for what we produce. On site, however, we pay ourselves and choose what to do based on our own wishes).
  
  08 July 2019 - 22:08
  
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Forgot to answer about Stenbockshuset. It is a lady who bought it privately. Some parts have been renovated, but yes, it involves major costs.
  
  08 July 2019 - 22:09
  
Elisabeth says:

A lot of nice things you have found, which we missed when we travelled around the Baltics.

09 July 2019 - 21:44

Lena - good for the soul says:

But how lucky you were to have managed to fit in that day at the mansion. It seems like a lot of fun! And how many nice places there seem to be.

Hug Lena

10 July 2019 - 6:05

Lahemaa National Park in Estonia - nature and mansions

In co-operation with the Estonian Tourist Board

On the road from Tallinn - the Jägala case

Overnight stay at Valkla beach

Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

Kolga mõis - Kolga manor house

Palmse mõis - Palmse manor house

Käsmu - Captain's village

Fishing village of Altja in Lahemaa National Park

Vergi and Võsu in Lahemaa National Park

Sagadi mõis - Sagadi manor house

Video from the National Park

Video from Tallinn and the Jägala case

Facts about Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

Animals and nature in Lahemaa National Park

Things to see and do in Lahemaa National Park

Practical info

Accommodation in Lahemaa National Park in Estonia

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13 Comments

Lisen Espeland says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

Role o Carina says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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