Landscape
The main value of the Lahemaa National Park is its great landscape, natural and cultural diversity. This part of the coastal area is rich in peninsulas and bays, the largest being Juminda, Pärispea, Käsmu and Vergi peninsulas with their northwest-southeast direction. The bays have versatile bottom relief, are generally deep and there are plenty of submerged rocks and islands. The larger islands near the coast are Mohni, Hara, Haldi, Alvi, Saartneem and Kasispea.
- Lahemaa is the oldest and largest national park in Estonia.
- Lahemaa National Park was created to protect the landscape types and natural values characteristic of Northern Estonia, such as the sea, rivers, lakes, forests, meadows and mires.
- Lahemaa National Park belongs to the Natura 2000 network of protected habitat and bird sites.
- Lahemaa is the area with the highest number of erratic boulders in the North European glaciation area.
- There are 21 study and hiking trails in the national park, totalling some 120 km.
- There are 68 villages a
The most known and visited place in the area is the museum of the writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare in Vargamäe. The birthplace of the author offers activities and discovery for people of all ages who are interested in history and literature. Walking in the cultural grove of Järva County close to the museum, it is possible to observe the growing of the trees planted by the laureates of Järva County cultural awards. More than a hundred trees have been planted during the period of 25 years.
- Try not to leave any traces in nature.
- For access to marked private property, please ask the owner’s permission.
- You can pitch a tent and make a campfire only in an area prepared and marked for this purpose.
Kõrvemaa Landscape Reserve was founded with the purpose of maintaining the characteristic landscapes, communities and habitats of the area, preserving the diversity of the biota, including protected species. There are large bogs and kames and eskers reminiscent of the Ice Age in Kõrvemaa. It is nice to hike on the alternating landscape.
Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area belongs to the expansive bog and forest zone of Transitional Estonia, comprising a fairly large part of Central and Southern Kõrvemaa. Põhja-Kõrvemaa that expands in the northern part of Transitional Estonia is a separate reserve.
“The woman eyed the area: here a hill, there a hill, a third one in the distance, a fourth one on the left, fifth on the right and a sixth one behind them, a seventh and many more. Fields and buildings on the hills, only bogs around and between the hills, marshes in some places, covered with peaky scrubs.” (Truth and Justice I by A. H. Tammsaare)
According to the valid protection rules, the Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area has been formed with the aim to protect and preserve the natural processes, the diverse landscape and the biota, including protected species and semi-natural communities. The protection aim of the forests in the reserve is the maintenance of natural objects, the conservation of the forest that is an important part of a wholesome landscape, the conservation of the habitats of species and preserving the natural diversity.
- Please do your best to not leave any trace of your presence, and to maintain silence.
- When moving around in nature, follow everyman’s right.
- To move around on private land designated as such or enclosed by a fence, obtain the permission of the owner.
- Camping and making fires is allowed in specially arranged and designated places only (see the map).