Oandu-Aegviidu-Ikla hiking route is a long hiking trail that goes through the whole country, from border to border, from sea to sea. The trail is 370 km long and begins from North-Estonia Lahemaa National Park, goes through Kõrvemaa Landscape Reserve and Soomaa National Park – one of Europe’s biggest bog landscapes. The end of the trail goes on through the forests of Pärnu County reaching finally the small fisherman’s villages of South-West coast and the beautiful sandy beaches of Liivi Bay.
The trail is marked with kilometer posts, signs on turning points and white-red-white paint markings. There are 6 big information boards by the trail that talk about forestry, the legacy of forestry of the past times, culture and recreation. As a rule, there is no drinking water on our campsites (exept, if stated otherwise on website – f.e. Võsu campsite). Tap water is available in nature centres on the trail. Water can be taken from natural bodies of water (rivers, lakes) and make it drinkable by adding disinfection tablet or by boiling.
Section I Oandu-Aegviidu-Ikla/Oandu-Kalmeoja (40 km)
This section starts at the RMK Oandu visitor centre, there is a good place to park your car. Starting to move from Oandu, you can get a good overview of the beautiful Lahemaa. The campsites are nice and a pleasant stay for the tired traveler.
At the beginning of this section the hiker has to cross Viru bog. After Viru bog the RMK Hiking Route crosses Tallinn-Narva highway and enters North-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve. North-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve is a well known place among Estonian hikers. With its diverse landscapes, beautiful forests and solitary lakes it is certainly one of the most interesting parts of the hiking route.
The third section passes through Kõrvemaa Landscape Proection Area, where the nature is beautiful and diverse. This section also feature one of the longest boardwalks in Estonia – the boardwalk over Kakerdaja bog is over 3,5 kilometers long. After Kakerdaja bog there are 17 km of hiking trails alternating with gravel roads through Kõrvemaa to the Paunküla Reservoir Lake. After the Paunküla Reservoir hiker has to cross Tallinn – Tartu highway and then the trail goes along gravelly village roads, finally reaching Rapla County.
This section goes through the central Estonian Sakala Recreation Area. There are 5 possibilities for spending the night: Kellissaare, Kabelimäe, Luite and Hüpassaare campfire site and Saeveski forest hut. A sight worth seeing is C. R. Jakobson’s farmstead at Kurgja, there is also a tavern where you can eat and drink traditional Estonian food. Another possibility to have a proper warm meal is at the Vanaõue Holiday Centre. The section ends at another important cultural sight, composer Mart Saar’s House Museum at Hüpassaare.
This section of the RMK Hiking Route goes through Rapla County passing old villages and farmsteads. Loosalu-Paluküla nature trail and Mukri nature trail offer a change in scenery. Most beautiful natural sights are Loosalu and Mukri bog and Paluküla Reevimägi Hill. Bigger populated places along the trail are Vana-Kaiu, Paluküla and Lelle. In Lelle there is a shop and railroad connection to Tallinn.
This section goes through Soomaa National Park. Soomaa Nationa Park was created to protect bogs, meadows, forests and cultural heritage. This 390 km² area on the edges of Viljandi and Pärnu County away from big population is a place more known for it’s fifth season when melting snow rises the water in Halliste and Navesti River creating an enormous flood. Also by the Hiking Route there is Soomaa Nature Centre where you can get maps and brochures and watch the exposition and a film introducing Soomaa National Park.
This last section of the Hiking Route goes through the forests of Pärnu County. There are several stopping points where you can camp and spend the night. Kabli Visitor Centre welcomes visitors to discover their new exhibition. The trail passes by Kabli Birdstation, a good spot to observe the bird migration in autumn. The village of Kabli has it’s roots in shipbuilding. Also by the trail is the house museum of Captain Markson. And the hungry hiker should definitely make a stop at the Kabli Bakery. The official ending point of the Hiking Route is in Ikla where Estonia ends and Latvia begins. Those who wish to wonder on could take a look at Latvian village Ainaži.
In 2018, the centenary year of the Republic of Estonia, the third RMK hiking route Penijõe–Aegviidu–Kauksi was opened. The three existing routes now form a network of hiking trails, where hikers can choose the beginning and the end of their journey and, for example, hike from Oandu to Penijõe as all the branches of the hiking route meet at Aegviidu.
The 613-km RMK Penijõe–Aegviidu–Kauksi hiking route, which runs on its way through six counties, starts at Penijõe manor in Matsalu National Park and goes through the open flood meadows of the Kasari river towards Rapla County, where it meanders between bogs, large forests, ancient forts and fields towards Harju County, Paunküla hills and finally to Aegviidu, the capital of hiking.
The longer part of the new route, however, is to the east of Aegviidu. In Lääne-Viru County, the route runs along narrow and high eskers over the Neeruti hills, through abandoned military bases to Tudu wetland area at the border of Ida-Viru County.
In Ida-Viru County, the view on the route changes considerably: there are the industrial landscapes of Kiviõli and Püssi with the semicoke and ash hills, the former open quarry of Aidu and the mining park and museum of Kohtla-Nõmme. Also the tall semi-coke plateaus of Kohtla-Järve can be seen from the route.
On the northern coast, the hiking route goes on and under the high coastal klint and visits Estonia’s highest coastal escarpment at Ontika and highest waterfall at Valaste, offering scenic views on the sea and the forest at the foot of the klint, as far as Sillamäe.
The trail eventually turns to the south and goes through the former battlefields of the Battle of Tannenberg Line and the neglected mining settlements, past the Kurtna lakes, through the forests of Agusalu and Alutaguse to the end point at Kauksi on the northern shore of Lake Peipus. The trail is signposted and marked with white-yellow-white paint marks.
The route starts at the Visitor Centre of Matsalu National Park at Penijõe and runs along existing roads and paths towards Varbola. On the way one can see the scenic flood meadows of the Kasari river, where tens of thousands of birds migrating through Estonia stop over during spring and autumn migration seasons. Then there is the former trackbed running to Virtsu, and the karst areas of Märjamaa. Next, the hiking route travels on ancient coastal formations to Varbola stronghold, which is one of the largest forts in Estonia and was used from the 12th to 14th century. The route also goes through the parks of several well-known or less known manors.
In Rapla County, the hiking route goes through the Rabivere and Kõnnu bogs that extend between the small towns of Hageri and Hagudi. Both bogs are located in a hollow and bordered by plateaus. Next, the trail runs through Kohila municipality and the Naisteraba bog in Mahtra Nature Reserve to Paunküla hills in Harju County, where hikers can walk up and down the eskers that were formed during the post-glacial period and offer a pleasant change from the flat terrain. After Paunküla, the trail takes the hiker to Aegviidu, where all the three routes of the RMK hiking trail meet.
From Aegviidu, the trail runs further in Lääne-Viru County, past the town of Tapa to Ohepalu and Neeruti villages, goes through Porkuni village and through the former Soviet missile base territory to the cone dryer at Roela.
Going through Tudu forests, the hiking route arrives at Ida-Viru County. The urban part of the trail starts near Uljaste: it goes through the small towns of Sonda and Kiviõli to Püssi. Next, the hiking route takes you through the former Aidu quarry and the Kohtla-Nõmme mining museum to the sea, where it is possible to enjoy amazing views of the Ida-Viru industrial landscapes. The hiking route runs along the northern coast to Toila park and from there, through Voka park to Sillamäe, and to Mummassaare campfire site in Udria Landscape Reserve.
The last section of Penijõe–Aegviidu–Kauksi hiking route starts at the sea on the northern coast of Estonia, goes past the Kuremäe Convent, then along forest roads to Iisaku, heading to Kotka hiking trail and then further to the inland sand dunes (kriivas) of Agusalu. Next, the trail runs past large mires to Lake Peipus, and along the northern shore of the lake to Kauksi.
In 2013, a new branch was added to the existing Oandu-Aegviidu-Ikla route, taking visitors from Aegviidu to Ähijärve. The new branch was created according to the same principles as the first one, i.e. the existing trails and rest stops were connected into one route. This branch is slightly longer, being originally 628 km long. In 2015, one more section was added to this new branch – the 192-km trail from Peraküla to Aegviidu, which now, together with the Aegviidu-Ähijärve section, make up the RMK Peraküla-Aegviidu-Ähijärve hiking route.
RMK Peraküla-Aegviidu-Ähijärve hiking route goes through nine counties and a number of protected areas, offering along its current 812 kilometres lots of amazing sceneries of Estonia: the spectacular sand and shingle beaches of West Estonia, the dark forests of Harju county, the wonderful grain fields in the fertile Järva county, the impressive wetlands of the Endla bog and Emajõe-Suursoo Reserve, the hilly and light-filled pine forests of Põlva county and Estonia’s best of the best landmarks in Võru county. The trail is signposted and marked with white-green-white paint marks.
Estonia’s longest hiking route starts at Nõva Visitor Centre at Peraküla and runs at first along a nearly century-old cobblestone road to solitary woods and then to the seaside. Along the trail there are spectacular lakes, amazing sandy beaches and wonderful villages.
In this section the hiking route runs mostly along earth tracks and gravel roads through nice pine stands. Several interesting and significant landmarks can be found along the trail, for example Harju-Risti church, Padise monastery, the former open mine at Rummu, and Vasalemma Manor. At Harju-Risti, Padise and Vasalemma there are shops where hikers can restock their food.
This section of the hiking route is quite varied. Although most of the route goes along larger and smaller gravel roads, the trail introduces also some long, narrow and relatively wild paths, which can be challenging to pass. There are study trails along the route, for example the Metsanurme-Üksnurme history and nature study trail. There is also a patch of bog on this route – namely, the Saarte bog in Kiili municipality. In addition, the hiking route runs through the Tuhala-Nabala Nature Reserve, formed for the protection of the karst area. Due to its closeness to Tallinn, in this section one must also cross several larger main roads.
In this section, the hiking route reaches the forests of Kõrvemaa area. In Alavere there is a shop where food supplies can be restocked. Also the Jägala and Jänijõgi rivers are along the route. The end point of this section is at Aegviidu Visitor Centre.
This part of the route starts from the yard of Aegviidu Visitor Centre and meanders its first 30 kilometres in the same track with the Oandu-Ikla hiking route. On Matsimäe esker, the trails branch at the hiking hotel “Rabav”, where the Ähijärve direction turns south. The trail goes over the Seli bog to Simisalu, thereafter to Vargamäe and then over the Kodru bog to Järva-Madise. Here the classic nature hiking ends for some time, as the trail winds through Järva county mainly along roads that are mostly lined with fields and grasslands. Among larger places on the trail there are Järva-Madise, Aravete, Järva-Jaani and Koeru, where hikers can restock their supplies, enjoy civilization or even end or start their journey. The route runs through Koeru along its main street and then, outside the borough, goes towards the Norra springs area. The trail goes along a gravel road to the western part of the Endla Nature Reserve.
This section of the hiking route starts with the miraculous springs area in the western part of Endla Nature Reserve. The hiking route continues up to Hundissaare campfire site between forests and meadows along a gravel road. From Hundissaare, the route meanders in the massive forest along gravel forest rides up to the Jõgeva-Põltsamaa Road and then along a forest road to Siimusti campfire site. The hiking route goes through Siimusti, then along an asphalt road to Härjanurme, next it crosses the Pedja river and runs along gravel roads between fields and in magnificent forests up to the Tartu-Jõgeva Road and the railway. The tunnel under the railroad takes hikers to the other side. One can stop at Kassinurme campfire site. When leaving the site, a wonderful view opens from the top of the drumlin. The gravel road continues along the scenic Vooremaa area with its varied landscape. The trail passes Lake Raigastvere and proceeds to Elistvere Nature Centre, where it is possible to replenish drinking water supplies and ask for information. Parking area for cars and buses, an excellent place to start and end the hike.
A paved road runs to Maarja, thereafter it is a gravel road to the Papi campfire site in a beautiful pine forest at Lake Saare. From there it is possible to go to the Kaiu lakes along a paved road. On this way there are five campfire sites with camping possibilities. The hiking route continues mainly along forest paths and rides through the diverse landscape of the Kaiu kame area and Selgise hills up to Kukemetsa rental hut. From the rental hut, the route takes the visitor along village roads to Tähemaa campfire site and thereafter, along gravel and village roads to Kantsi campfire site at the side of the river Emajõgi. A nature centre has been established in the former Kantsi tavern. There is also the start of the Emajõe study trail.
When you start off at Kantsi campfire site, see that you will arrive at Kavastu in time to catch the cable ferry. Namely, at Kavastu you can cross the river Emajõgi on the cable ferry, walkers are also taken across by boat. On the other side, the trail first goes along an asphalt road up to Kastre village. Then it continues along straight forest rides and paths and later between fields to Võnnu. After Võnnu, the trail goes along gravel and forest roads to Ahja campfire site. From the campfire site you will arrive at Ahja, where there is a shop, cafe, Ahja manor and a pharmacy. On the way there is also a swimming place which is refreshing in hot weather. The trail goes on to Valgesoo Landscape Protection Area. There is a campfire site and it is possible to complete the 2 km Valgesoo study trail and take a look at the wonderful bog scenery through the yellow frame of the National Geographic. Kiidjärve Visitor Centre is located in Kiidjärve village on the bank of the scenic Ahja river. The nature centre is a good place to start and end your hike, as there is a parking area for cars. During the opening hours of the nature centre you can replenish your drinking water supplies and ask for information.
From Kiidjärve, the trail continues along the bank of the Ahja river up to Taevaskoja and then on to Otteni rental hut. The hiking trail passes the places in which one of the most popular Estonian films “The Last Relic” was shot. Next, the trail goes through the town of Põlva, the villages of Peri, Leevi and Paidra to Meenikunno Landscape Protection Area. In the landscape protection area, there are two lakes quite near one another – Lake Valgejärv, one of the most clear-water lakes in Estonia, and Lake Mustjärv, one of the most brown-water lakes in Europe. At Värska, the journey continues through the former Värska ‘Southern Camp’ to Piusa Caves.
Here the route continues towards Võru County. This section could be well characterised using the words “the largest”, “the tallest”, “the deepest”… The trail goes along the bank of the Piusa river, the river with the greatest drop, passes Härma wall, the highest sandstone outcrop in Estonia, Suur-Munamägi, the highest peak, and Lake Rõuge Suurjärv, the deepest lake in Estonia. After Luhasoo Landscape Protection Area the trail gets to Pähni village, where you can find RMK Pähni Nature Centre. Here it is good to start and end the hike. During the opening hours of the nature centre you can replenish your drinking water supplies and ask for information.
This section of the route is characterised by curvy village and forest roads, undulating open fields, numerous lakes and hills, and lots of berries and mushrooms in the forests in summer. From Pähni the hiking route goes along forest, field and village roads to the Paganamaa area, which is rich in legends. The jewel of Paganamaa is the chain of lakes at Piirioja. The Estonian-Latvian border divides the lakes into two. From Paganamaa, cyclists and walkers have to continue along different ways. Walkers are directed into the wild forest and cyclists continue along forest and village roads to Metsavenna campfire site. There is a shop and a tourist farm which introduces the life of “forest brothers” (partisans hiding in the woods during WWII). Next, the trail goes through the village of Naha to the sourthernmost tip of Estonia. After that, it runs along forest tracks to the Tellingumägi hill, where it is possible to enjoy the view of the amazing curvy Mustjõgi river and its floodplains. The hiking trail continues through the beautiful and luminous pine stands of Koiva and the wooded Karula National Park to Ähijärve. At the visitor centre there it is good to start and/or end your hike. During the opening hours of the visitor centre you can replenish your drinking water supplies and ask for information. Accommodation is available in the building next to the visitor centre.
The RMK Hiking Route now extends to the western islands of Estonia.
In autumn 2021, a new branch of the RMK Hiking Route was opened on the island of Hiiumaa – the Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve branch – or the Hiiumaa branch – of the Hiking Route. This branch is an extension of the Peraküla-Aegviidu-Ähijärve hiking trail, which runs in mainland Estonia.
Like on the mainland, the hiking trail is blazed with white-green-white marks. Being just 234 km long, it is the shortest and the most compact branch of the hiking route, running around and through Hiiumaa. The distance between the beginning and the end of the trail is actually only three kilometres.
Regardless of the relatively moderate length, the trail offers much diversity and extremely beautiful and powerful nature experiences. The Hiiumaa trail runs through most of the reserves on the island. A large portion of the hiking route trail can be passed on foot only, because it goes over delicate landscapes that would perish under wheels. The trail starts at Heltermaa Harbour and its first part runs mainly along village roads and local roads. After Kärdla, the capital of Hiiumaa, the trail is completely different – more than 100-km long nature trail which passes through places with very low population density, the most exciting and scenic landscapes of the island: the forests of the Tahkuna peninsula, sand dunes, beaches and different military structures on the northern coast of the island. Thereafter the hiking trail takes a turn to the centre of Hiiumaa, going past the loose sand area of Kaibaldi and the wetland and bog areas of the central Hiiumaa, and finally returning towards the coast. Back on the coast, the trail takes a tour of the Kõpu peninsula, offering magnificent views from high coastal dunes, visiting beautiful beaches at Ristna cape, and stopping at one of the symbols of Hiiumaa – the Kõpu lighthouse. On Kõpu peninsula you will also find the RMK Ristna Visitor Centre.
After Kõpu, the trail heads again towards the centre of the island, through the Vanajõe valley and over Leemeti hills, to Tihu forest hut deep in the woods. At Tihu forest hut, an extension of the trail starts, which takes hikers to Sõru harbour at the southern tip of Hiiumaa. The wild nature trail ends at Tihu forest hut and next the trail goes mainly through agricultural landscapes and along local roads up to the island of Kassari, visiting the sights there. On the way back from Kassari to Hiiumaa, the trail runs over the sea – in dry weather, the path is quite dry but in case of strong winds or elevated sea levels, the water may be knee-high there. In poor weather, it is possible to return to Hiiumaa along the road. The trail finally arrives at Suuremõisa village and to Saare alvars, where the end point of this branch of the hiking route is at Sarve campsite, about 3 km from the Port of Heltermaa. This completes the tour of the island.
Section I Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve/Heltermaa-Kärdla (32 km)
The first section of the Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve branch of the RMK Hiking Route (aka Hiiumaa branch of the RMK Hiking Route) starts at the Port of Heltermaa.
Section II Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve/Kärdla-Ristna (107 km)
The second section of Hiiumaa branch of the RMK Hiking Route starts at the centre of Kärdla. While the first section runs mainly along village roads and local roads, the second section is different.
Section III Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve/Ristna-Tihu (36 km)
The third section of Hiiumaa hiking route starts at Ristna visitor centre and ends at Tihu forest hut. Some of the best known sights of Hiiumaa are located at this section: the idyllic Kaleste beach, Kõpu lighthouse, Korbi hills, etc. This section of the route also runs mostly in unpopulated forest areas.
Section IV Heltermaa-Ristna-Sarve/Tihu-Sarve (56 km)
The final part of the Hiiumaa branch of RMK Hiking Route starts at Tihu forest hut and takes the hikers back towards Heltermaa – to Sarve campsite, located just 3 km from the port. Hikers may also want to head for Sõru harbour, where they can take the ferry to Saaremaa island. On this section of the trail, distances between rest stops are very long and therefore hikers need to prepare for the journey more carefully.
The campfire site a beautiful view opens on the landscape of Otepää and Lake Pühajärv.
Parking facilities
Roadsite parking for 8 cars.
Amenities
The campfire site has 2 outdoor fireplaces, dry toilet, firewood shelter, swing, 2 information boards.
Camping facilities
The maximum number of tents (for 4) allowed is 30.
Sights
View of Lake Pühajärv.
Additional information
The campfire site is located on private land.
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct (freedom to roam), rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
Access by car to the campfire site is not allowed. About restrictions please read here. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board (info@keskkonnaamet.ee, +372 662 5999).
Hiking Options
Possible to hike on Pühajärve hiking trail.
Outdoor Fireplace
Covered Fireplace 2 outdoor fireplaces.
Maintenance
Year-round maintenance
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy The campfire site is located on private land.
Restrictions
Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
Contact
Telephone: +372 676 7122
E-mail: info.kiidjarve@rmk.ee
Object type: campfire site
Location info
Location : Valga County, Otepää Nature Park
Nüpli village, Otepää municipality. Pühajärve hiking trail passes the campfire site.
Navigation instructions : Drive on Tatra–Otepää–Sangaste road (route no. 46). At Otepää traffic lights turn towards Sangaste and drive about 1 km, then turn right onto Otepää–Nüpli–Sihva road (Road no. 23160, sports trail). Drive 3.1 km towards Sihva and turn right onto the forest road. Drive about 20 m up to the traffic barrier where you can park you car. Walk about 100 m from the parking area along the forest path.
Nüpli village, Otepää municipality. Pühajärve hiking trail passes the campfire site.
Navigation instructions:
Drive on Tatra–Otepää–Sangaste road (route no. 46). At Otepää traffic lights turn towards Sangaste and drive about 1 km, then turn right onto Otepää–Nüpli–Sihva road (Road no. 23160, sports trail). Drive 3.1 km towards Sihva and turn right onto the forest road. Drive about 20 m up to the traffic barrier where you can park you car. Walk about 100 m from the parking area along the forest path.
Ida-Viru County, Peipsi põhjaranniku Recreation Area
With high winds, be careful when moving in the park, branches and also trees can break. In winter and with the rain, paths and stairs can be slippery.
Oru park is located in Pühajõe river valley at the mouth of the klint bay on a sandstone cliff. Varied terrain with the seaside plain, Neide cliff and Pühajõe valley slopes make the landscape in the park extremely diverse and scenic. Here you can see high limestone cliff, the floodplain, the terraced slope of the valley at the edge of the cliff, the limestone plain and the deep sandy sea bottom. Thanks to the varied natural landscape, wonderful and interesting views open from the park on the neighbourhood, the sea, and the park itself.
Parking
In Toila town, at the intersection of Mere puiestee and Rannatee Street, the bus station and parking area is on the left.
Wheelchair Accessibility
It is possible to enter the park in a wheelchair from the Karu gates parking lot along the lime tree alley. From the direction of Toila trough the Oru parking lot, along the light traffic road. Access to the entire castle grounds is guaranteed in the park. There is no wheelchair access to the ponds and Hõbeallika Spring Cave and there is no inva-toilet.
Hiking Options
Green energy trail of Oru Park, starting above Hõbeallika Spring. The trail was co-financed by the Estonian EU external border programme.
Maintenance
Year-round maintenance
Sights
Oru Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions with the highest species diversity and the most diverse terrain in northern Estonia. Over the 75 hectare area, you can find 258 different species of trees and shrubs, varieties or types, most of which are of ecdemic origin. Among these are, for example, Siberian pine, Dutchman’s pipe, Euro-american hybrid poplar, sweet birch, Katsura, Douglas fir, the Manchurian walnut, and many other rarities.
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Restrictions
Constitutes the Oru Park Landscape Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.eeAccording to the nature conservation rules, motorised vehicle traffic is prohibited outside the roads and paths.
Contact
Telephone: +372 5681 5722
E-mail: info.alutaguse@rmk.ee
Object type: other
Location info
Location : Ida-Viru County, Peipsi põhjaranniku Recreation Area
Toila town, Toila municipality
Navigation instructions : Drive along Tallinn–Narva road. Proceeding from Jõhvi towards Narva, right after crossing the bridge over the Pühajõgi River, there is a sign pointing to Toila. Drive 5.4 km to the town of Toila. Drive along the Mere puiestee to the entry to the Oru Park, the bus station and parking area is on the left. The second entrance "Karu gates" (coordinates BL: 59.418692, 27.531043).
Ida-Viru County, Peipsi põhjaranniku Recreation Area
Toila town, Toila municipality
Navigation instructions:
Drive along Tallinn–Narva road. Proceeding from Jõhvi towards Narva, right after crossing the bridge over the Pühajõgi River, there is a sign pointing to Toila. Drive 5.4 km to the town of Toila. Drive along the Mere puiestee to the entry to the Oru Park, the bus station and parking area is on the left. The second entrance "Karu gates" (coordinates BL: 59.418692, 27.531043).