RMK Hiking Route

RMK Hiking Route is a long hiking trail that goes through the whole country, from border to border, from sea to sea. The trail is 375 km long and begins from North-Estonia - from Lahemaa National Park. From there it goes to Kõrvemaa Landscape Reserve, passing through its thick and beautiful forests. The trail also passes Soomaa National Park - one of Europe's biggest bog landscapes. The trail goes on through the forests of Pärnu County reaching finally the small fisherman's villages of South-West coast and the beautiful sandy beaches of Liivi Bay. RMK Hiking Route passes through 6 counties, 2 national parks, 9 nature reserves and ends by the Estonian-Latvian boarder in Ikla.
The trail is marked with kilometer posts, signs on turning points and white-red-white markings on trees and other objects along the trail. There are 6 big information boards by the trail that talk about forestry, the legacy of forestry of the past times, culture and recreation.

To make it easier to handle the trail has been divided into 7 parts according to the areas it passes by.

Part I Oandu - Kalmeoja (40 km)

Hiking Route begins from Oandu Nature Centre, this is also a good place to leave your car. Starting you hike from Oandu allows you to get a good overview of Lahemaa National Park. On the trail there are 3 camping sites: Võsu campsite, Nõmmeveski campfire site and Kalmeoja campfire site. If desirable it is also possible to stay at Oandu campsite. From natural sights the most remarkable are the canyon of River Pärlijõgi, Nõmmeveski waterfall and Vasaristi waterfall.

Part II Kalmeoja - Nikerjärve (38 km)

At the beginning of this section the hiker has to cross Viru bog. After Viru bog the RMK Hiking Route crosses Tallinn-Narva highway and enters North-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve. North-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve is a well known place among Estonian hikers. With its diverse landscapes, beautiful forests and solitary lakes it is certainly one of the most interesting parts of the hiking route.

There are 5 possible campsites by the trail: Järvi Pikkjärve and Pärnjärve campsite, Paukjärve campsite, Jussi campsite, Nikerjärve campsite, 

The nature of North-Kõrvemaa is very beautiful, but extra remarkable are Suru bog, Lake Paukjärv, Jussi Lakes and Jussi Moor.

Largest populated places along this trail section trail is Aegviidu.

Those who pass the hiking route by bike should avoid the Viru bog because biking on the boardwalk is prohibited! Instead you should use the designated forest routes.

Part III Nikerjärve - Hirvelaane (65 km)

The third section of RMK hiking trail passes through Kõrvemaa Landscape Proection Area. Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area (South-Kõrvemaa) might not have so many camping sites as North-Kõrvemaa but the nature is beautiful and diverse. This section also feature one of the longest boardwalks in Estonia - the boardwalk over Kakerdaja bog is over 3,5 kilometers long.
After Kakerdaja bog there are 17 km of hiking trails alternating with gravel roads through Kõrvemaa to the Paunküla Reservoir Lake.
After the Paunküla Reservoir hiker has to cross Tallinn - Tartu highway and then the trail goes along gravelly village roads, finally reaching Rapla County.

There are 4 possible campsites by the trail: Mägede campfire sites, Noku campfire site, Napu campfire site and Hiieveski parking area campfire site.

Remarkable sights along this trail section are Valgehobusemäe Hill, Noku Farmstead, Kakerdaja bog, Paunküla Reservoir Lake and Paunküla Hills.

The Hiking Route goes through or passes the following populated places: Ardu, Paunküla and Kõue.

Part IV Hirvelaane - Kellissaare (72 km)

This part of the RMK Hiking Route goes through Rapla County passing old villages and farmsteads. Loosalu-Paluküla nature trail and Mukri nature trail offer a change in scenery.

Official RMK camping sites in Rapla County are Hirvelaane, Loosalu, Tillniidu and Mukri campfire sites.

Most beautiful natural sights are Loosalu and Mukri bog and Paluküla Reevimägi Hill.

Bigger populated places along the trail are Vana-Kaiu, Paluküla and Lelle. In Lelle there is a shop and railroad connection to Tallinn.

Part V Kellissaare - Hüpassaare (28 km)

This part of the Hiking Route goes through the central Estonian Sakala Recreation Area. There are 5 possibilities for spending the night: Kellissaare, Kabelimäe, Luite and Hüpassaare campfire site and Saeveski forest hut.

A sight worth seeing is C. R. Jakobson's farmstead at Kurgja, there is also a tavern where you can eat and drink traditional Estonian food. Another possibility to have a proper warm meal is at the Vanaõue Holiday Centre. There is also another important cultural sight on this part of the trail, composer Mart Saar's House Museum at Hüpassaare. 

Part VI Hüpassaare - Kopra hut (56 km)

This part of the trail goes through Soomaa National Park. Soomaa Nationa Park was created to protect bogs, meadows, forests and cultural heritage. This 390 km² area on the edges of Viljandi and Pärnu County away from big population is a place more known for it fifth season when melting snow rises the water in Halliste and Navesi River creating an enormous flood.

There are 8 campfire sites on this part: Hüpassaare, Oksa, Mulgi, Kõrtsi - Tõramaa, Läti and Pertlimetsa campfire site. Also there are 2 forest huts: Oksa Hay Barn and Oksa Barn.

Also by the Hiking Route there is Soomaa Nature Centre where you can get maps and brochures and watch the exposition and a film introducing Soomaa National Park.

Part VII Kopra hut - Ikla (76 km)

This last part of the Hiking Route goes through the forests of Pärnu County. There are several stopping points where you can camp and spend the night. 3 campsites, one by Lake Rae and two by the sea at Krapi and Lemme. 2 forest huts - Laiksaare forest hut and Kopra tare forest hut. Also a rental hut at Kilingi-Nõmme and two smaller campfire sites, on near Kilingi-Nõmme and the other near Kabli Nature Centre called Priivitsa campfire site.

The official ending point of the Hiking Route is in Ikla where Estonia ends and Latvia begins.