Harju County is Estonia's most populous county, wrapped around the capital Tallinn on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Visitors find a UNESCO-listed medieval old town, Baroque Kadriorg, the flooded Rummu Quarry, Padise Abbey, Keila-Joa Waterfall, the Pakri peninsula and island day trips to Aegna and Prangli, all within about an hour of the capital.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Aegviidu to Nelijärve Trail, Kõrvemaa
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2
Keila-Joa Park and Waterfall Loop
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3
Rummu Quarry Rim Walk
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4
Paldiski North Cliff and Pakri Lighthouse
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5
Pirita River Valley and Pirita-Kose Path
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6
Pääsküla Bog Boardwalk
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7
Aegna Island Coastal Loop
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8
Prangli Island Road Loop
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9
Kadriorg to Pirita Seaside Promenade
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10
Jägala Gorge Path
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Harju County.
- Spring
- April-May: mud and high water, mosquitoes and ticks begin; waterfalls at their fullest
- Summer
- June-August: best for islands and bogs; long daylight hours
- Autumn
- September-October: colourful forests, fewer insects
- Winter
- December-March: snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; icy cliff edges
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (consider vaccination)
Hazard: Adders (rare) in dry forest and bog edges
Hazard: Slippery limestone and cliff edges at Rummu and Paldiski
Hazard: Mosquitoes in bog areas June-August
Hazard: Short daylight in December (about 6 hours)
Hazard: Wildlife such as elk and wild boar on forest roads at dusk