Lahemaa National Park, on Estonia’s north coast, was the first national park established anywhere in the Soviet Union. It now protects a landscape of coastal peninsulas, dense forest and bogs, dotted with restored Baltic-German manor houses.
Varied terrain between forest and coast
From Palmse Manor, forest tracks and coastal paths cross the park toward the fishing village of Altja and then the Käsmu peninsula for about 45 km, with 260 m of total elevation gain. The terrain alternates rolling forest tracks with sandier sections along the coves.
How to approach the ride
All-terrain gravel tires around 40-45mm handle most of the park’s tracks well, though sections near the bogs can stay damp even in summer. The elevation gain, modest overall, is felt on the rolling stretches close to the coast.
When to go
May to September, with summer offering the best conditions to pair the ride with a swim in one of the coastal coves. Autumn brings out the color of the Viru bog, reachable via a boardwalk trail just off the route.
Good to know
Palmse Manor, fully restored and set in a landscaped park, is worth a visit at the start of the ride. The fishing village of Altja, with its traditional nets drying on wooden racks, makes for a picturesque midway stop.