Lahemaa National Park

Oandu Visitor Centre

Lääne-Viru County, Lahemaa National Park
Oandu Visitor Centre is located in the North-Estonian Recreation Area, 3 km towards Altja from Sagadi Manor. At Oandu the nature and opportunities of nature recreation are introduced, as well as the production and use of forest and timber throughout the ages.
The Visitor Centre operates in a 150-year-old building, which formerly housed the forest district office. As an important topic, the events and programmes provided by the centre also highlight cultural heritage – the traces of the life and work of previous generations.
The topics are supported by film and slide show programmes and exhibitions displayed in the Visitor Centre and its outbuildings, the Cone Hut, the hay barn and the old ice cellar.
PhoneTiina Neljandik, communication manager
+372 676 7010, +372 509 9397
E-mail info.oandu@rmk.ee 
Opening hours15 May to 31 Aug Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00,
Sat-Sun 10.00-18.00
1 Sept-15 Sept Mon-Fri 9.00 -16.00 Sat-Sun 10.00 -17.00
16 Sept to 14 May, Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00 except on public holidays
Type of objectVisitor Centre
Parking facilitiesParking for 2 buses or 10 cars
Amenities
  • Discount campaign programs for comprehensive schools and kindergartens in winter, spring and autumn
  • Paid nature study programs
  • Information materials on the North-Estonian Recreation Area and Lahemaa National Park, also materials about cultural heritage and inventory of cultural heritage
  • An intersection for Oandu hiking and study trails, here everyone finds a suitable route
  • Slide shows and old documentaries about the forest and forestry works in the past;
  • Opportunity to use the libraries of the visitor centre
  • Educational events/seminars on topics related with cultural heritage and forest
  • Forest- and cultural heritage-related events
  • Possible to rent the hall and classroom for nature events: hall, up to 3 hours: 15 EUR/per hour

Exhibitions
Open during the opening times of the visitor centre, 15 Oct - 15 April booking is needed
  • Trees and People – Forestry in the Past
At the exhibition opened in the large hay barn the old photos, folklore and memoirs and tools take the visitor back to the time when forestry works were done with a saw and an axe, and logs were transported on horse-driven sleighs. In the woodpiles visitors can find questions and answers about different trees and their use.
  • From the Cone into a Tree
At exhibition in the Cone Hut visitors learn, with or without a guide, how the seeds of forest trees were collected in the past, try working with the husking machine and the winnower, test their knowledge of the trees found in Estonia, and study cones and seeds both from Estonia and abroad.
Camping facilities Oandu campsite (250 m from the visitor centre)
Outdoor fireplace Oandu campsite (250 m from the visitor centre)
Wheelchair accessibility The exhibition in the barn and Oandu plant trail are accessible with a wheelchair, inva DC in the parking area. 
Assistance is needed to visit the main house.
Water The well
Hiking options Oandu heritage trail (3,4 km),  Oandu plant trail (1 km), Oandu old-growth forest nature trail (4.7 km), Beaver trail (1 km),  Altja nature and culture historical trail (3 km), Oandu–Võsu hiking trail (9.5 km), RMK Oandu-Ikla Hiking Route (375 km)
SightsExhibitions in the nature centre, nature trails of Lahemaa National Park, Altja fishing village (2 km), Sagadi manor (3 km), boulders and other natural sights of Lahemaa National Park.
Additional information Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct (freedom to roam), rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
RestrictionsSituated in Lahemaa National park, view the restrictions on visiting here. Additional information from the Environmental Board: +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee.
LocationOandu, Haljala Municipality, Lääne-Viru County
Object no 2 on the national park map.
Driving directionsDrive Tallinn Narva road (E20) 73 km, turn to Võsu, Palmse direction to Viitna–Koljaku road. Then drive 6,5 km to Palmse village. There turn right towards Sagadi (follow the sign “Sagadi 6 km”). Drive along Palmse–Sagadi road, across Rakvere–Haljala road (follow the sign “Sagadi mõis 2.5 km”), drive to Sagadi Manor and turn left (sign “Altja kaluriküla 5 km”). Continue 3 km along Sagadi–Altja road and pass Oandu campsite. After 150 m you will see the board “Oandu Visitor Centre” by the road, turn right. The parking area with information boards is on the left by the driveway.
Geographic coordinatesLong-Lat WGS 84
latitude: 59.565011
longitude: 26.101993
L-EST 97 x: 6604919.3 y: 618814.7
Oandu Visitor Centre. Exhibition "From the Cone into a Tree" in the Cone Hut Oandu Visitor Centre. Exhibition of beaver life cycle in the Cone Hut Oandu Visitor Centre. Exhibition "Trees and People" Oandu Visitor Centre. Exhibition "From the Cone into a Tree" in the Cone Hut Oandu Visitor Centre. Seminar in the hall of the visitor center The main building of the visitor center Oandu Visitor Centre The entrance of the visitor center Oandu Visitor Center. Exhibition "Forest work through the years" in the main building of Oandu Visitor Center Oandu Visitor Center. Forest manager's office in the main building of the visitor center Oandu Visitor Center. Photo exhibition "Estonian Orchids" in the Cone Hut Oandu Visitor Center. Photo exhibition "Estonian Orchids" in the Cone Hut Oandu Visitor Center. Exhibition introducing the old-growth forest nature trail in the cone Hut