Lahemaa to Onion Route and Tartu

Quick Details

Ages: 13+ Years Old
Duration: 7 Days

Witness the scenic views on Lahema National Park in Estonia!

Lahemaa to Tartu tour takes you to Lahemaa National Park treasures like Palmse, Sagadi and Vihula Manors. On your way is small and charming Rakvere with its medieval castle ruins and unique Russian Old Believers row villages with a distinctive atmosphere, along Lake Peipsi shores. Tour ends in the University town of Tartu.

Road alongside Lake Peipsi is called Onion Road. This is the place where two nations and three cultures meet.

Day 1: Bike ride to Valkla. Distance: 45 km / 27 mi

Cycling out of Tallinn until the town of Maardu is on a bicycle road. Tallinn Botanic Garden and TV tower are on your way out of Tallinn. Road then takes you to small town Maardu and continues around old Ülgase Phosphorite Mines to Jõelähtme. Estonia’s most powerful waterfall in Jägala is on your way. Stay in Valkla in a guesthouse next to the beach.

Day 2. Bike ride to Palmse. Distance: 55 km / 34.3 mi

Day 2 you have two routes to continue. One takes you close to the seaside with sandy beaches, great views and hiking trail to the third largest boulder in Estonia – Majakivi (House Stone). The other route takes you to Estonia’s most known nature sight Viru Bog. Both routes meet in Palmse. Stay in Palmse in a guesthouse. An extra day is recommended in Palmse to visit Käsmu and Altja villages.

Day 3: Bike ride to Rakvere. Distance: 65 km / 40.6 mi

Route to Rakvere has a lot to see. Sagadi Manor and Estonia Forestry Museum and Vihula Manor are on your way. After Vihula, the route turns to the seaside and that is one of the most beautiful routes to ride. Sagritsa Museum in Karepa is worth visiting and the break on Karepa beach is the must. Just a short loop away are Toolse Castle ruins – located closest to the sea. The twisty road to Haljala is just a pure pleasure to cycle. Rakvere is your final destination on that day. Castle Ruins are worth visiting here. Stay in a Spa Hotel.

Day 4. Cycling to Sahargu. Distance: 59 km / 37 mi

Day four takes you through Estonian forests and fields to a small Sahargu village. Stay in B&B.
You can combine your cycling tour with bear watching. Sahargu is the pick up point for Bear Watching Tour. Tours are taking place in May-June and Sept-Oct. Night in a cabin in the forest.

Day 5. Cycling to Alatskivi village. Distance: 68 km / 42.2 mi

Route continues to the shores of the fourth biggest lake in Europe – Lake Peipsi. Peipsi area is home to Old Believers, a traditional religious minority recognised as hard-working and skillful fishermen, builders and keen onion cultivators. On your way are authentic and unique Russian Old believers villages and many smoked fish stands. Alatskivi is your final destination on that day and the impressive manor house here is worth visiting. Stay in a guesthouse in Alatskivi.

Day 6. Cycling to Tartu Distance: 48 or 56 or 72 km / 30 or 35 or 45 mi

Last cycling day will take you to small villages along the shoreline of Lake Peipsi. The onion cultivation culture has given the name to the road starting from Alatskivi – Onion Road. If you’re looking for that hearty, home-cooked dinner experience, make sure to have a taste of the many pastries and onion dishes available. Onion Route runs until Varnja, from there the route continues to your final destination – university town Tartu. Stay in a hotel.

Day 7. End of the tour (2 hr 20 min by train or by bus)