Walking Trails in Kuusalu Parish

Walking in Kuusalu parish means marked forest and bog trails run by RMK, a few short coastal paths and some village strolls. Walks here are self-guided. The one guided option is bog-shoe hiking on the Viru bog. The parish is in Harju County, about 40 to 55 km east of Tallinn, and trailheads are far apart, so most visitors link one or two walks in a day by car.

Viru bog trail

The Viru bog trail is the headline walk. It is marked with white and green tree marks and runs 3.5 km one way, or about 5.5 km as a loop. Some sources give the loop as 5.7 or 6 km. About 3 km is boardwalk. The observation tower stands roughly 1.3 km from the car park, which is on the Loksa tee road off the E20.

Rules and tips:

  • Walk only on the boardwalk.
  • No cycling on the boardwalk.
  • Boots are advised.
  • The tower top holds 25 people, and climbing is closed in thunderstorms.
  • Only the first tower platform is wheelchair-accessible, and the path to the tower is passable by wheelchair only with an assistant.

The trail is free. The RMK trail page lists rules and notices. For questions, write to info.oandu@rmk.ee or call +372 676 7010.

Majakivi-Pikanõmme trail

This RMK trail is about 7 km long, and open all year. It passes Majakivi, the third-largest erratic boulder in Estonia, which is about 7 m high and can be climbed by ladder. The boulder is near Hara village on the Juminda peninsula. See the Visit Estonia trail page .

Tsitre tree trail

The tree trail at Tsitre, on Kolga Bay, is 0.5 km. It runs through a former seaside estate park and has a beach and an observation tower over the bay. It works well as a short add-on to a longer day.

Hara pier and ruins

At the Hara submarine base, visitors walk along the pier and among the ruins of a derelict Soviet-era site. Entry is ticketed at EUR 10 for adults, EUR 7 for students and seniors and EUR 22 for families. Climbing on the pier rocks or abandoned buildings is forbidden, as is swimming or jumping into the water, and falling rocks are a hazard. Off-season visits are by reservation. See harasadam.ee .

Villages and harbours

Viinistu has a harbour worth a short wander, with the art museum and hotel beside it. The Mähu boulders in Pärispea can be climbed with a rope. The northernmost point of mainland Estonia, Pähknemännik, is about 4 km from Viinistu and has a sandy beach.

Guided walks

Guided bog-shoe hikes start from the northern Viru bog car park. Walking off the boardwalk is for guided groups on bog shoes. Operators price by person or by group, and listings begin around EUR 47 per person. Browse options on GetYourGuide .

Getting to the trailheads

Buses on the E20 stop at the Loksa tee exit, then it is about 1.3 km through forest to the Viru bog trailhead. Use peatus.ee for timetables. Other trailheads are best reached by car.

Read more: Sightseeing in Kuusalu parish covers the museums and manors.