Altja nature and culture historical trail (3 km)

The small northern coastal village Altja was mentioned for the first time in 1465 as a fishing site at the mouth of the Oandu River.

Altja, first recorded in 1465 as a fishing place at the mouth of the Oandu river, is the setting for this 3 km loop in Lahemaa. Fishing, firewood shipping and salt smuggling once made the villagers rich enough to own sailing ships; there were three taverns and three shipyards. Under Soviet rule the shore became a border zone and boats were sawn in half. The trail passes the tavern, the cross stone where young people met, a log bridge, the pine-fringed beaches of Laiakari and Merinõmme, a suspension bridge and the restored net sheds on Altja point.