Where to go

Oandu old-growth forest nature trail (4.7 km)

 
Lääne-Viru County, Lahemaa National Park
Oandu old-growth forest nature trail runs through a fascinating and mystical primeval forest. There are fallen trees everywhere, and the decaying trunks are home to rare fungi, lichens, mosses, and insects. In place of the fallen old trees, new deciduous brush or young spruces start growing. At the nature trail, you can see the footprints of elks, wild boar, bears, lynxes and many other animals and birds, or traces of their activity; and sometimes you may even be lucky to see some of the wild animals or birds.
The forest is different here on every hill, the marshes are different in every hollow. From the light-filled, dry pine forest the path goes down the Koljaku-Oandu escarpment into the moist drained peatland forest, where pure springs flow and where, between the sand dunes of the one-time coastline, spruce, aspen and common alder stands grow, all several human generations old. On higher slopes one can find ancient pines whose bark is thick and scaly.
We recommend starting the trail with the exhibition “Path to the Virgin Forest” in Oandu Visitor Centre. Here you can take a look at the life cycle in an old-growth forest, and what or who you can meet on the trail.
Parking

Parking pocket for 10 cars or 2 buses, Oandu Visitor Center parking lot

Water

Drinking water in the well of Oandu Visitor Centre, spring on the trail

Amenities

Information boards, partly boardwalk, woodchip track in wetter areas, stairs, benches, signposts, indication, DC, waste bin

Hiking Options

Available

Outdoor Fireplace

Covered Fireplace

Sights

Virgin forest, different forest types, traces of wild animal activities, Oandu visitor centre, exhibition of the visitor centre "Path to the primeval forest"

Additional Information

Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy

Restrictions

The trail is situated in Lahemaa National Park. Further information can be obtained from the Environmental Board +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee

Contact

Telephone: +372 676 7010
+372 329 5555

E-mail: info.oandu@rmk.eeinfo.lahemaa@rmk.ee

Object type: study trail

Location info

Location : Lääne-Viru County, Lahemaa National Park

Oandu, Haljala Municipality, Lääne-Viru County

Navigation instructions : Drive 73 km from Tallinn towards Narva (E20), turn left onto Viitna–Koljaku road and drive 6.5 km to Palmse village, turn right (at the sign 6 km to Sagadi). Drive on Palmse–Sagadi road, cross Rakvere–Haljala road (at the sign 2.5 km to the Sagadi manor) and drive up to Sagadi Manor. Turn left (at the sign 5 km to the Altja fishing village), drive 3 km on Sagadi–Altja road and pass the RMK Oandu campsite. Drive 150 m, the road turns left at the sign to Oandu Visitor Centre. The parking area and information boards, as well as signs to the forest nature trail, are to the left of the road.

Coordinates:

Long-Lat WGS 84
Latitude: 59.565661
Longitude: 26.099849
L-EST 97x: 618691
L-EST 97y: 6604988

Telephone:
+372 676 7010
+372 329 5555
E-mail:
info.oandu@rmk.eeinfo.lahemaa@rmk.ee
Object type:
study trail
Location info
Location:
Lääne-Viru County, Lahemaa National Park
Oandu, Haljala Municipality, Lääne-Viru County
Navigation instructions:
Drive 73 km from Tallinn towards Narva (E20), turn left onto Viitna–Koljaku road and drive 6.5 km to Palmse village, turn right (at the sign 6 km to Sagadi). Drive on Palmse–Sagadi road, cross Rakvere–Haljala road (at the sign 2.5 km to the Sagadi manor) and drive up to Sagadi Manor. Turn left (at the sign 5 km to the Altja fishing village), drive 3 km on Sagadi–Altja road and pass the RMK Oandu campsite. Drive 150 m, the road turns left at the sign to Oandu Visitor Centre. The parking area and information boards, as well as signs to the forest nature trail, are to the left of the road.
Coordinates:

Long-Lat WGS 84
Latitude: 59.565661
Longitude: 26.099849
L-EST 97x: 618691
L-EST 97y: 6604988