A complete guide to camping in Estonia

Wake up to the sound of the waves. Watch the sun rise over the horizon. Have a cup of coffee and listen to the birds singing. Pitch your tent next to some of Estonia's most beautiful scenery.

Estonia is a dream destination for those who want to immerse themselves in nature. We've rounded up a few places to start your search. Of course, there is much more to see here than what is on this list, so use this as a starting point and go explore!

Thanks to Estonia's freedom of movement policy, you are not limited to the official RMK campsites, although they usually have the basic amenities needed for an enjoyable outdoor experience. Keep in mind that these are wild campsites; you won't find showers, electrical outlets or flush toilets. But many of these locations have fire pits, covered picnic tables, dry toilets and trash receptacles, and the best part... they're free!

Northern Estonia is known for its forests and wildlife, as well as two of the country's six national parks - Lahemaa and Alutaguse. It is near Tallinn, so that you can even organize a short weekend hike.This is the ideal region to get away from it all and enjoy nature.

• If If you're looking for a breathtaking view, the Litse limestone rock will provide you with a real spectacle. About an hour's drive from Tallinn, this is an ideal place for tourists. In spring, you can walk along the Ranniku hiking trail and see the waterfalls. There you will find five indoor fire pits.
• Enjoy a walk along Cape Purekkari in Lahemaa National Park, which will take you to the northernmost point of Estonia. The trail here is about 1.5 km long and takes visitors along the rocky, stone-covered coastline.
• The Võlingi hiking trail takes you through dense forest and leads to the Võlingi spring. You can find an ideal camping spot on the 2.4 km hiking trail.
• If you prefer to go camping by the lake, visit the campsites in the Matsimäe Pyhajärv recreation area. You can wake up next to the sandy shore of the lake and set out to enjoy the varied landscape along a trail through wetlands and pine forests. The trail is open to visitors on foot or by bicycle.
• Those who want to combine camping with sports such as skiing, Nordic walking, running and cycling should visit the Ekkeküla Sports and Recreation Area . Situated near Narva, it is an ideal camping spot for families as well as for those who want to enjoy outdoor sports.
• Tudu campfire site is located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Tudu. The picnic area is equipped with a grill and a toilet with firewood. There is also a forest hut if you are staying overnight which you can use for free. Stop and look at the unique fauna of the area, such as the black stork and flying squirrel.
• The Kauksi-Penijõgi hiking trail passes through the former Aidu slate quarry and has a completely unique landscape. Here you will have the opportunity to cross the canals on rafts and climb the steep slopes of the quarry. Come here to grill and relax by the blue water.
• Iisaku Lookout Tower is the highest natural point in Ida-Viru County. From a height of 122 m above sea level there is a beautiful view of the forest, and in clear weather you can see the domes of the Kuremäe Monastery and Lake Peipsi. The fire pit is located next to the tower and has a rain shelter.

Camping in western Estonia means enjoying the Baltic Sea and beautiful long sandy beaches. You can camp near Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia, or go to the islands for a relaxing holiday.Enjoy swimming, SUP and kayaking during the day and fall asleep to the sound of the waves at night.

• In In the northern part of Saaremaa is Tuhkana Beach, one of the best swimming spots on the island. The sandy beach is 500 meters wide and the water gets deeper than in other parts of the island. Near a pine forest and a volleyball court you can camp if you want to enjoy everything what camping in western Estonia has to offer.
• The Nõva recreation area is located in the lowlands of Western Estonia. You should visit her if you want something more durable. The surrounding area includes large sand dunes, wetlands, lakes and forests. This means you can switch between the sandy beach and inland nature depending on your taste.
• If you want a quiet and sedate spot in the middle of the woods, head to the RMK Lake Rae Hiking Trail and Campground. Here you can swim, fish and enjoy a 1.7 km trail that takes you through the area's varied landscape. There are three fire pits, a woodshed, trash cans, toilets, and a rustic swing.

Southern Estonia is full of lakes, valleys and hills. It is one of the most popular areas of Estonia, where you can take a break from the city, get away from the world and reconnect with nature. Although the region may seem isolated from civilization, you are still just a short drive from Tartu, Estonia's second bustling city.

• The Koiva Heritage Trail is one of the most extensive trails in southern Estonia.The trail, open for walking and cycling, has a total length of 60 km and passes various cultural sites along the river bank Koiva
• The 5.4 km long Taagepera Trail starts and ends at the Taagepere campfire site.The trail sometimes takes visitors along the Õhne River and you will see various sights such as Taagepera Castle and Musukivi Rock. For those who do not want to walk the entire route, there are trails 1.6 and 4 km long.
• If you want a unique hiking experience in Estonia, check out the Green Railway Trail. It follows the route of the Valga/Valka-Ape railway, which closed in 1970. Today, the old railway embankment serves as a hiking trail, combining hiking with a piece of Estonian history.
• If you're near Viljandi, be sure to visit the Ruunaraipe Dunes. They are located in the Raudna Valley and offer visitors an excellent place for a picnic or mushroom picking.
• The Selli Sillaotsa study trail has everything you need for a hike and a picnic. It is located in the Alam Pedja Nature Reserve and takes you through wetlands, forests and to a 12 meter high observation tower.
• Between the port of Mexicoorma and the lighthouse there is a circular walking path that visitors can enjoy. Throughout the hike, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Lake Peipus on a 1.3 km trail.
• On the banks of the Võhandu River, there is the Kaljupealse campfire site, which offers magnificent views of the river and sandy outcrops. Here you will find a table under the roof, a grill and firewood.
• Next to the Erastvere manor park there is the picturesque Erastvere Lake, where you can swim on a hot day. Along the shore you can pitch a tent and cook a delicious lunch over a campfire.
• Find the perfect spot for families with small children at the Aruküla Hill recreation area. In addition to barbecue areas, there is a children's playground with swings and slides on site. The view is excellent, there is plenty of space for vacationers. Visitors can also play disc golf or explore the Struve Geodesic Arc.
• The Lake Verijärve study trail has three fire pits with grills, benches and a children's play area. The approximately 1 km long trail has many posters allowing visitors to learn about local plants and wildlife.
• Take your children for a walk along the trail along Lake Æhijärve near Karula Nature Centre.

Always leave camp cleaner than you found it. If there are no trash cans, be sure to take out all trash and throw it away in the nearest city. The forest will thank you!

Estonia is a digital country, and this also applies to campsites in Estonia. There are hundreds of campsites throughout the country, managed by the Estonian Ministry of Forestry (RMK).

RMK has created an application that allows you to find all (free!) RMK campsites in Estonia. The application gives you information about the location of the campsite, information about the facilities provided and photos of the campsite. Regular maintenance means a clean campsite, and sometimes even free firewood, making it easier to stay warm and cook dinner. You may have to bring water and pick up trash, but you can check all of this in advance in the app.

It's time to talk about what to eat on a hike. Cook like a MICHELIN star chef or load up on snacks - it all depends depending on the amount of time you are willing to spend on preparation.

Typical Estonian products such as kohuke (chocolate-covered curd snacks) and pirukad (savory or sweet pies), travel well in backpacks. You can also stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables - cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and apples are local favorites for a trip into the woods. Better yet, try picking out your own snacks! Depending on the season, you may be able to find wild garlic to add to your sandwich or salad, or wild blueberries or strawberries for a sweet treat on the go.

Cooking over a fire allows you to make a dish as complex or simple as you want. If you have a saucepan or frying pan, you can cook stew, beans, meat or pasta. You can also skewer sausages or marinated meats and roast them directly over hot coals. Campfire bread is also a classic Estonian camping food. Although the idea of ​​baking bread while camping may seem daunting, it really is it's much easier than it sounds. Ready-made bread mixes can be found in many stores. Knead the dough, then wrap it around a stick and cook over the fire.

Tin foil also is an essential tool for campfire cooks.Try wrapping meats and vegetables in foil. Add spices such as garlic, rosemary and thyme and grill over the coals for about 20-30 minutes on each side for a delicious hot dinner.

And of course, no camping trip is complete without some grilling. marshmallow fire!

A camping van creates a romantic atmosphere, especially on bright summer nights in Estonia! There are no restrictions - just take your home and go wherever you want.

In Estonia, you can take your camper or motorhome straight into nature.You can stay in picturesque places in the forest or on the seashore.Campsite or cottage on the seashore with all All the amenities a motorhome traveler might need can be found just a few kilometers from the medieval Old Town of Tallinn.

Estonia is completely covered with map data for GPS devices, road atlases are sold in bookstores, supermarkets and at gas stations, and a system of road signs makes navigation easy.From Estonia you can easily travel to Latvia or take a ferry to Finland or Sweden.

The best time for a caravan trip in Estonia is summer. The days are long, making it safer to drive and giving you more time to take in the magnificent views of nature while camping. Because Estonia has a low population density of just 30 people per square kilometer, outdoor solitude is easy to find.

Estonia has a variety of campsites suitable for people traveling in vans and campers. Most managed campsites are open from May to October, although parking spaces can also be found at RMK sites, which are open all year round.

• Estonia has right-hand traffic and an extensive road system, the quality of which varies.< /li>
• The speed limit on roads outside built-up areas is 90 km/h, in built-up areas - 50 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.
• The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts
• Your car's headlights must be on at all times
• The driver must be completely sober - Estonia has a zero-tolerance policy
• When towing a caravan, you must keep its lights on.
• Drivers must always have their driver's license and vehicle registration documents with them.