Kuusalu Day Trips From Tallinn by Car or Bus

The coast of Kuusalu parish is a comfortable day out of Tallinn. The parish is in Harju County, roughly 40 to 55 km east of the capital, and a drive takes about 45 to 60 minutes depending on the stop. Below are three ways to shape the day, from a half day to a full outing with an eastern Lahemaa extension.

Half day: Viru bog and Tsitre

Take the E20 east and turn onto the Loksa tee road for the Viru bog car park, about 52 km from Tallinn. The 3 km boardwalk is free, and the tower lies about 1.3 km from the car park. A round trip to the tower and back is about 2.6 km, while the full loop is about 5.5 km. Afterwards, drive a short way to Tsitre on Kolga Bay for the 0.5 km tree trail, the beach and the bay tower. This plan suits winter, when daylight is short, and it has no tickets to book.

Full day: the coast loop

Start early at Viru bog, then continue to the Juminda peninsula. The Hara submarine base is a derelict Soviet-era harbour, ticketed at EUR 10 for adults, EUR 7 for students and seniors and EUR 22 for a family. Outside summer it opens by reservation, so email info@harasadam.ee first. The Majakivi boulder is next to Hara village, 7 m high and open to climbers by ladder. End the day at Viinistu, where the art museum charges EUR 6 for adults and EUR 3 for concessions. Opening days shift with the season, so check viinistu.ee . In summer the Hara base opens Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00, and the museum runs daily from June to mid-September, so a weekend in high summer fits both.

Long day: adding Lahemaa

Eastern Lahemaa starts beyond the parish boundary. Käsmu, Palmse, Sagadi and Altja are in Vihula parish, in Lääne-Viru County, and they make a second day more than an add-on. The park charges no entry fee, though individual sights do: Palmse manor about EUR 5 and the Sagadi forest museum about EUR 3. The Wikivoyage page is a good overview.

A waterfall on the way

Jägala waterfall lies at Jägala-Joa, in Jõelähtme parish, about 25 km east of Tallinn. It is around 8 m high and 50 m wide, and visits are free. It is outside Kuusalu parish and outside Lahemaa, but it is a short roadside stop. Read the Wikipedia entry for figures.

Without a car

Take a bus along the E20 and get off at Loksa tee; the Viru bog trailhead is about 1.3 km away on a forest road. Timetables are on peatus.ee . From the bog, other parish stops are hard to reach without a car or a tour. Look at tour options on Viator .

Tips for any plan

  • Start before 10:00 so you finish in daylight in autumn and winter.
  • Book Kolga manor and the Kiiu tower ahead, as neither admits walk-in visitors.
  • Skip the tower at Viru in thunderstorms; it is closed to climbing.

Read more: Multi-day trips around Kuusalu spreads these stops over several days.