Things to Do in Kuusalu Parish
Kuusalu parish lies in Harju County on the Gulf of Finland, roughly 40 to 55 km east of Tallinn. The borough of Kuusalu is a small inland village, so the things to do sit along the parish coast and on the western edge of Lahemaa National Park. A car makes the day much easier.
Viru bog boardwalk and tower
The best-known outing is the Viru bog nature trail run by RMK, the state forest manager. The car park is on the Loksa tee road off the E20, about 52 km from Tallinn. The trail is 3.5 km one way and about 5.5 km as a loop, and 3 km of it is boardwalk. It is free. The observation tower stands about 1.3 km from the car park. Wear boots, stay on the boardwalk and leave bikes behind, because cycling on the boardwalk is not allowed. The bog dries out and burns easily, so keep fire well away. Details are on the RMK trail page .
Guided bog-shoe hikes
Guided bog-shoe (räätsa) hikes start from the northern Viru bog car park. Walking off the boardwalk is for guided groups wearing bog shoes. Prices depend on the operator; trips from about EUR 47 per person turn up in listings, and some operators set a group price instead, so ask what the minimum is before you commit.
Hara submarine base
Hara is a derelict Soviet-era harbour and submarine base on the coast, now run as a heritage site. Tickets cost EUR 10 for adults, EUR 7 for students and seniors, and EUR 22 for a family, with preschool children free. Outside the summer season it opens by reservation, and part of the pier exhibition is closed for now, so write to info@harasadam.ee before you set out. Falling rocks are a real risk. Climbing on the pier rocks or in the abandoned buildings is forbidden, and so is swimming or jumping into the water. Children under 13 must stay with an adult. The Hara base site has the current rules.
Majakivi and the Juminda peninsula
Majakivi is the third-largest erratic boulder in Estonia, about 7 m high and some 32 m around, beside Hara village on the Juminda peninsula. A ladder lets you climb it. The RMK Majakivi-Pikanõmme trail is about 7 km and open all year. Read the trail listing on Visit Estonia before you go.
Tsitre on Kolga Bay
Tsitre is a former seaside summer estate. It has a 0.5 km tree trail, a beach, an observation tower over Kolga Bay and the westernmost RMK campsite on the bay. It is a short stop rather than a full day, and it pairs well with Kolga manor nearby.
Camping
RMK’s official campsites in Lahemaa, including the one at Tsitre, are normally free to use. Bring water, food and a stove, and plan on no facilities beyond the basics.
Getting around
Buses on the E20 stop at the Loksa tee exit, and from there it is about 1.3 km through forest to the Viru bog trailhead. Check times on peatus.ee . Kuusalu village, Viinistu, Hara and Kolga are far easier by car or on an organised tour. Guided bog hikes and Lahemaa day tours from Tallinn can be compared on GetYourGuide .
Read more: Sightseeing in Kuusalu parish covers the museum, manor and tower.