Nature’s gem near Tallinn: Lahemaa National Park

Tallinn is a beautiful city to visit, although it can get a bit tiring and hectic. Luckily, there are a lot of beautiful places to visit just a short drive away from this big city. One of them is the Lahemaa National Park, nature’s gem, just a half-hour drive away from Tallinn. Just pack your comfortable hiking shoes and spend a day trip admiring landscapes of the Lahemaa National Park, its waterfalls, manors, hiking trails, and a bog. 

Jägala waterfall: the most visited waterfall in Estonia

The first stop should be the famous Jägala Waterfall. It can often get quite crowded but worth a visit. It is visited during the summer to admire the falling water and during the winter to observe the frozen water, forming natural icy caves under the waterfall. The Jägala Waterfall is approximately 8 meters high and 50 meters wide, making it a compelling sight. 

Fully restored manor complex in the forest

Manors are architectural phenomena in Estonia, and they carry the bits of history inside, standing as majestic as they once were. In Lahemaa,  you can find an authentic pink Sagadi manor. Its history dates back to 500 years ago and has been carefully preserved. Every little detail in the royal rooms tells you how the manor used to look. There are always parks and ponds around manors, but what makes this one special is that it is surrounded by a forest.

Beaver trail: a short hike to the wilderness

Although the Lahemaa National Park is perfect for those who like to hike, not everyone wants to spend their day with a heavy backpack, wandering around the trails. For those who want to admire nature and take an easy track, there is the famous Beaver trail. Located in Oandu, this 1-km-long trail takes only half an hour but is worth the effort. As the name suggests, you can expect to see a lot of beavers and see the natural dams that these wonderful creatures built. 

Viru bog: nature’s treasure

The national treasures of Estonia, the bogs, are the definite must-sees. Viru Bog makes a 6-km-long lap through the forest and the marsh. To see it from above, there is an observation tower in the middle of the trail. This nature’s wonder is accessible with an interesting boardwalk, that makes the hike safe and exciting to walk. Follow the well-marked trail to see the bog’s flora, former dunes, eskers, and forests and enjoy nature, as clean and wild as it gets. 

The Lahemaa National Park, a short drive away from Estonia’s capital Tallinn, is a wonderful destination for a day trip, to get away from the hectic city life and breathe in nature and clean air. Visit this nature’s gem to experience the wildest of Estonia.