According to geological interpretation, Lake Kahala became a separate body of water 7,500 to 8,500 years ago, when a beach ridge separated the lagoon of the Ancylus Lake from the coastal area. This long natural history offers a special way to discover Kahala: the lake, surrounding bog and historic sites each tell their own chapter of the landscape.
Lake, bog and waterways
Lake Kahala is in the village of Kahala, in Kuusalu municipality, Harju County, about 5 kilometres northeast of Kuusalu. It is part of the Lahemaa nature area and is open to the public.
The lake has a low flow rate. It is fed by the Oldoja stream, drainage ditches from the surrounding fields and springs that emerge from the bedrock. Its outflow runs via the Loo stream to Salmistu Bay. The Kahala bog surrounds the lake in the depression of a former lagoon of the Yoldia Sea. Today’s water flow and former coastal landscapes thus exist side by side, without reducing the lake to a single stage of its formation.
History and cultural traces
Kalamäe, on the southeast shore of the lake, was mentioned in 1241 as a possession of monks. On the east shore lies Kahala hiiemets, a former protected woodland covering 0.9 hectares. The group of Hundikangrud stone-cist graves lies about 1.3 kilometres northwest of the lake on a limestone plateau and comprises around 65 graves.
Toomani Farm also brings together several cultural traces. The Toomani Farm Museum is housed in a former granary belonging to the farm in the village of Muuksi. Architects Erika Nõva and August Volberg also came from Toomani Farm. This shared connection links the history of the museum building with the origins of the two architects.
In Uuri, on the shore of Lake Kahala, a heritage farm preserves, maintains and promotes cultural heritage through training, events, community work and crafts. The Pärimuskoda offers workshops ranging from spinning to woodworking. For those interested in culture, this offers a different perspective on the area than its landscape and settlement history.
Muuksi: early settlement and views
Muuksi hillfort was first settled in the 1st millennium BCE; its rampart was built only at the end of prehistoric times. The two dates mark different stages, from early settlement to the later construction of the rampart. From the car park, a staircase leads to the edge of the limestone cliff, which offers a beautiful view of the sea.
Hiking, cycling and a stay by the lake
Lahemaa Retked offers a guided nature hike along the paths between Muuksi and Tsitre. It leads to Muuksi Hill; the cliff edge along the route offers views of Kolga Bay and the Juminda Peninsula. Another guided option is a 30-kilometre cycling tour in Lahemaa National Park, with a stop at Muuksi hillfort. You can compare the two options by their different points of reference: the hike links trails, the hill and the views, while the cycling tour is defined by its distance and stop at the hillfort. Check in advance whether the guided activities are available.
On the shore of Lake Kahala, Hiie Farm offers a fully equipped motorhome and caravan park year-round. In summer, boating, canoeing and fishing are available as activities associated with Hiie Farm.
Discover more destinations: Triigi, Kahala, Kiili Parish, Vasalemma, Kõue Vald, Keila Vald, Saue, Kernu.
For the main travel overview: Harju.
