Lohkuse: Purtse, Local History and Hiking Trails

• The Lohkuse dam is in the village of Lohkuse on the Purtse River.
• Approximately 7,200 m³ of contaminated sediment and soil were removed from the section between the Püssi and Lohkuse dams.
• In 2020, a temporary riverbed was excavated between the Lohkuse dam and the Tallinn–Narva railway bridge to prepare for the cleanup of the 1.4-kilometre-long, most heavily contaminated section.
• Nearby, the Aidu hiking trail starts at the Aidu-Liiva campfire site. An RMK route runs through the area, with a 30-kilometre section between Uljaste and Aidu-Liiva.
• On the section of the RMK route that passes through the Aidu quarry, a canal must be crossed by raft.
• The Aidu Veeseikluskeskus area is scheduled to host the 2026 sprint canoeing championships and the Baltic Cup 2026 rowing regatta.

The Lohkuse dam is in the village of Lohkuse on the Purtse River. The contaminated section of the river between the Lohkuse and Püssi dams was cleaned up. Approximately 7,200 m³ of contaminated sediment and soil were removed. The volume in cubic metres describes the amount of material removed, not the length of the river section.

Another account concerns work carried out in 2020: a temporary riverbed was excavated between the Lohkuse dam and the Tallinn–Narva railway bridge. It was intended to prepare for the cleanup of the 1.4-kilometre-long, most heavily contaminated section. The quantity of material and this section length therefore refer to different details of the work on the Purtse.

As part of LIFE IP CleanEST, solutions for the Püssi and Lohkuse dams on the Purtse were also assessed or planned. This should be distinguished from the cleanup already carried out: this refers to an assessment or planning status, while the other concerns sediment and soil that were removed. Together, these facts provide a timeline and overview of the work on the river without conflating the different measures.

Lohkuse is recorded as a Karjamõis in 1796 and as a village around 1900. Another historical account tells of a Lohkuse manor village with eight farms. Its former site was a field of the same name near Püssi; the village was relocated to Voorepere, near the Aa manor, when manors divided up villages.

This account is about a village of eight farms and its relocation, not just the dating of the name. The change of location is important for understanding the story: the former Lohkuse manor village was near Püssi and was relocated to Voorepere. This historical account adds a distinct settlement history to the records of Lohkuse as a Karjamõis and later as a village.

The Aidu hiking trail starts at the Aidu-Liiva campfire site. A 30-kilometre section of the RMK Penijõe–Aegviidu–Kauksi hiking route also runs near Lohkuse, between the Uljaste and Aidu-Liiva campfire sites. The 30 kilometres refers to this section of the route; the Aidu hiking trail is a separate trail reference.

On the section of the RMK route that passes through the Aidu quarry, a canal must be crossed by raft. This is a specific condition of that section of the trail that you should take into account when planning your hike. Check current route information before setting out, especially for the canal crossing. This will help you compare the two trail options based on their different details, rather than treating them as a single route.

The 2026 Estonian sprint canoeing championships and the international Baltic Cup 2026 rowing regatta are scheduled to take place near the Aidu Veeseikluskeskus. These are two different water-sports events. If either one matters to your travel plans, check the dates against your planned stay in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lüganuse.

Where does the Aidu hiking trail start?

Near Lohkuse, it starts at the Aidu-Liiva campfire site.

What is known about the cleanup on the Purtse?

The contaminated section between the Lohkuse and Püssi dams was cleaned up. Approximately 7,200 m³ of contaminated sediment and soil were removed.

What historical account is there about the Lohkuse manor village?

According to the account, a village with eight farms was relocated from a field of the same name near Püssi to Voorepere, near the Aa manor.

For the broader travel overview: Lüganuse.