Kata – Karst Landscape, Hiking Trails and Nature Experiences

• A 2.5-kilometre hiking trail runs through the Tuhala Karst Area and is also suitable for family hikes.
• Guided hikes to the Tuhala Nõiakaev and through the karst area are available year-round. Groups must arrange them in advance with the nature guide.
• The Kataveski hiiekadakas in Kata küla is over 300 years old and surrounded by a stone enclosure.

Near Kata, the Tuhala River flows through the karst area. It is 26 kilometres long, with 6 kilometres running through three underground branches. These figures make clear that the river does not flow underground along its entire length: the underground section is divided among three branches.

One of the area's distinctive natural features is the Tuhala Nõiakaev, a temporary rising spring in the Nabala-Tuhala Nature Reserve. It lies above an underground river in the Tuhala Karst Area. The Nõiakaev can overflow and “boil” at a rate of 100 litres per second. In 2012, it was voted a Wonder of Estonia. For visitors interested in water and karst landscapes, the spring is a striking destination nearby; however, the overflow described is possible, not a permanent feature.

The 2.5-kilometre trail through the Tuhala Karst Area is a clearly defined option for a hike and is also suitable for family walks. If you would like to explore the landscape with a guide, guided hikes to the Tuhala Nõiakaev and through the karst area are available year-round.

Groups must make arrangements with the nature guide in advance. If you are planning a guided hike as a group, be sure to take this step before your visit. Nearby, the Tuhala hiking trail starts at the car park near the Tuhala Nõiakaev. The Tuhala Karst Trail, in turn, starts beneath the Kooli Oak in the centre of the village. These different starting points offer practical guidance for finding each trail.

At Polli Zoo, visitors can see and touch various animals and birds; pony rides are also available. This is a very different experience from a hike or a visit to the karst spring. If you are travelling with children, you could consider the animal encounters as a separate activity, while the hiking trails offer another way to spend time outdoors.

There are also places of historical interest in Kata küla. The Kataveski hiiekadakas is over 300 years old and surrounded by a stone enclosure. The enclosure is part of the described appearance of this ancient tree. The Tuhala Kaarli kirik also stands in Kata küla, Kose vald. Count Karl von Mellin commissioned its construction; the church was built between 1775 and 1777.

How long is the hiking trail through the Tuhala Karst Area?

The hiking trail through the Tuhala Karst Area is 2.5 kilometres long and is also suitable for family hikes.

When are guided hikes available?

Guided hikes to the Tuhala Nõiakaev and through the karst area are available year-round. Groups must arrange them in advance with the nature guide.

What can visitors experience at Polli Zoo?

At Polli Zoo, visitors can see and touch various animals and birds. Pony rides are also available there.

To the main travel overview: Kose.