Kuusalu Activities From Bog to Submarine Base
Planning a trip to Kuusalu parish starts with one fact: the parish is large and thinly settled, on the Gulf of Finland in Harju County, and the attractions are scattered along the coast. The borough of Kuusalu is a small inland village. The coastal places, Viinistu, Hara and Kolga Bay, are separate stops. This page gives a quick overview, then details for each activity.
Activities at a glance
| Activity | Area | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Viru bog boardwalk and tower | Kolga area, off the E20 | Free, 3.5 km one way |
| Guided bog-shoe hike | Northern Viru car park | From about EUR 47 per person |
| Hara submarine base | Hara, Juminda peninsula | EUR 10 adult, EUR 7 student or senior, EUR 22 family |
| Majakivi-Pikanõmme trail | Hara village | About 7 km, open all year |
| Tsitre tree trail | Kolga Bay | 0.5 km, with beach and tower |
| Viinistu Art Museum | Viinistu | EUR 6 adult, EUR 3 concession |
Viru bog
RMK maintains the trail. It is 3.5 km each way, with a loop of about 5.5 km and a boardwalk of 3 km. You reach the car park from the Loksa tee road off the E20, roughly 52 km from Tallinn. The observation tower is 1.3 km from the car park. Stay on the boardwalk and do not cycle on it. The bog burns easily, so skip fires and cigarettes. The RMK page lists current notices.
Bog-shoe hikes leave from the northern car park for groups with a guide. Pricing varies by operator and group size.
Hara submarine base
A derelict Soviet-era harbour and submarine base, now open as a heritage site. Guests walk the pier and the surrounding ruins. Rules from the operator: enter at your own risk because of falling rocks, do not climb the pier rocks or abandoned buildings, do not swim or jump into the water, keep children under 13 with an adult, leave alcohol and vehicles behind and keep dogs on a leash. Email info@harasadam.ee to confirm opening or book a visit before you go. The official site has the latest details.
Majakivi and Tsitre
Majakivi is the third-largest erratic boulder in Estonia, about 7 m high, and can be climbed by ladder. The RMK trail named for it, Majakivi-Pikanõmme, is about 7 km. Tsitre is a former seaside summer estate with a 0.5 km tree trail, a beach and an observation tower over Kolga Bay. The westernmost RMK campsite on the bay is there, too. RMK campsites in Lahemaa are normally free.
Getting there
A car is much easier. From Tallinn, expect about 45 to 60 minutes. Buses on the E20 stop at Loksa tee; the walk to the bog trailhead is 1.3 km. Look up connections on peatus.ee . If you prefer a guided day, search tours on Viator .
Read more: Day trips in Kuusalu shows how to build these stops into a day.