Visiting restrictions in Lahemaa National Park

The national park is divided into three zones:

• strict nature reserve (0,1% of the area , Esku and Remnispea ). Access is prohibited for people.
• conservation zone (23,8% of the area ). Economic activities are prohibited but wild berries and mushrooms can be freely picked. NB! People are strictly prohibited from entering the conservation zone of Loosaarte, Saartneeme, Ulkkari and Älvi from 1 April to 15 July; in Reiemäe conservation zone from 15 March to 31 August; in Koolimäe, Metsaveere and Rüütli conservation zone from 15 February to 31 July; in Laviku, Loobu, Põhjakalda and Suursoo conservation zone from 1 February to 30 June; in Hara soo (bog) conservation zone from 1 February to 31 August.
• limited management zone. The activities established in the protection rules of the national park are allowed.
  

In the national park we ask you kindly to observe the following regulations:

• Unmarked and unresricted private land may be accessed around-the-clock, except for courtyards. A permission of the owner is required to enter fenced private land or private property marked with posted prohibition signs.
• The shore path can be used by everybody to move twenty-four hours. On navigable bodies of water, the width of the shore path is 10 m from water, the other bodies of water the width is 4 m.
• The use of vehicles is allowed on public and local roads, by bike also on paths.
• Camping is allowed at designated campsites and fires are permitted in pre-existing marked fireplaces. Collect fallen branches and cones to feed your campfire. It is not permitted to cut living or dead trees. Before leaving the campground make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished. Leave the campground clean.

The use of floating vessels on the waters in the national park:

• Non-motorized floating vessels are allowed on rivers and on Käsmu lake;
• The vessels which are not powered by internal combustion engine are allowed on lakes. The exeption to this is Käsmu lake;
• In Hauaneeme conservation zone motorized floating vessels and in Ulkkari conservation zone non- motorized floating vessels are allowed;
• The use of floating vessels is allowed on the sea waters in the conservation zone ;
• Jet skiing is prohibited in Hauaneeme conservation zone and Ulkkari conservation zone and on the waters between Vergi and Vainupea, in Koolimäe bay southwards from the end of the land of cape Lobineem and Pedassaare cape, in Saartneeme conservation zone prohibited 250 m from the boundary of the zone, in Eru bay the line southwards from the end of the land of Ahju ninase up to Palganeeme cape.

Camping and campfire sites

• Use designated campsites and campfire sites.
•  Making fire be sure that there are no restrictions due to wind or dry conditions. 
• Use reserved firewood rationally or collect fallen branches to feed your campfire. When leaving make sure the campfire is gone. 
• Leave no negative trace of your visit!

Fishing

• Fishing is prohibited the year round throughout the rivers: Koolimäe, Vainupea and Kolga. In Mustoja river downstream from the dam of the artificial lake of Vihula manor to the river mouth; in Altja river from Oandu dam to the river mouth; in Võsu river from Laviku dam to the river mouth; in Loobu river from
• Joaveski dam to the river mouth; in Valgejõgi river from Kotka dam to the river mouth; in Pudisoo river from the Tallinn-Narva highway bridge to the river mouth; in Loo river from Loo dam to the river mouth.
• Fishing is prohibited in all rivers from dams 100 m down the river, in fish ladders and 50 m upstream from the ladder.
• Long line fishing, underwater harpooning and catching with a trimmer is prohibited
• From the wellspring of Loobu river to Joaveski dam and from the wellspring of Valgejõgi river to Kotka dam.
• NB! Fishing in Valgejõgi river from Kotka dam to the river mouth. A fisherman must have in possession a valid fishing licence for salmon.
• In the sea fishing is prohibited all the year round closer than 1 000 m to the river mouth of Loobu and Valgejõgi. From 15 August to 31 December fishing is prohibited in the sea closer than 500 m to the river mouth of Mustoja, Loo, Altja , Võsu and Pudisoo river. Fishing is prohibited in ice-free water in Koolimäe bay closer than 500 m to Koolimäe brook mouth from 15 March to 15 May. In the sea fishing is prohibited closer than 500 m to Lohja brook mouth from 1 March to 31 May.
  

Organizing public events

• In the conservation zone public events for more than 50 people are subject to approval from the Environmental Board in pre-prepared and designated sites ( nature trails etc ). In other places the event is subject to approval from the Environmental Board for more than 10 people .
• In the limited management zone at pre-prepared and designated sites ( nature trails, camping sites etc ) the approval for organized public events is not required from the Environmental Board. In other places the event is subject to approval for more than 50 people from the Environmental Board.

Wash yourself and the dishes on dry land:

• Collect used dishwater into a container and drain it into the ground after washing. This way water-bodies are not polluted.
  
• When washing yourself, do the same.
  
• Consider carefully whether you need to use detergent/wash-up liquid. Usually, water is enough.
  

Spending time in nature

It is forbidden to:

• damage trees and bushes ;
• harm the habitats of wild animals and bird´s nests , collect bird´s eggs and take them along or harm wild animals in any other way;
• damage protected natural objects;
• disturb others and the quiet life of local people.