Tapa: Nature, Culture and Routes for Your Trip Planning

Tapa combines the landscapes of the Pandivere Upland with museums, historic sites, nature trails and special places associated with limestone and springs.

Tapa Parish is located on the Pandivere Upland. Here, agricultural landscapes, forests and springs with clean water come together. One of the well-known protected natural areas in Tapa Parish is Kõrvemaa.

The Tapa Museum collects, preserves and exhibits objects, photographs and documents relating to the history and culture of Tapa Parish. Admission to the museum is free.

Which landscapes and natural sites define the surroundings?

The connection between water, landscape and history is particularly vivid at Lake Porkuni. The lake is fed by springs and is the source of the Valgejõgi River. The Porkuni Landscape Protection Area preserves the southern part of the Porkuni–Neeruti esker range as well as the karst lakes and forest communities of Võhmetu–Lemküla–Porkuni.

The Porkuni Limestone Museum is located by the lake in a preserved gate tower of a castle built in 1479 on an island in Lake Porkuni. The exhibition extends across five floors of the tower and explains the formation, fossils, distribution and use of limestone. At the top of the tower is an observation platform with views of Lake Porkuni, the manor complex and the surrounding area.

Tamsalu also shows how closely nature and industrial history can be connected. Tamsalu Lime Park combines industrial ruins, abandoned quarries, spoil heaps and the natural forests between them along nature and cultural heritage trails. At Tamsalu Lubjapark, an educational trail presents the more than one-hundred-year history of Tamsalu’s lime industry, including earth kilns, quarries and the ruins of ring kilns.

Which cultural sites are worth including in your plans?

In Moe stands a factory complex built by Jakob Kurberg between 1887 and 1890. It is considered one of the most representative examples of industrial architecture in Lääne-Virumaa. The Eesti Piiritusetööstuse Muuseum – Külastuskeskus welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Saturday exclusively by prior reservation.

The present-day building of Jäneda Manor was built by Johan von Benckendorf between 1913 and 1915 and is associated with Maria Zakrevskaya Benckendorf. Jäneda Manor can be viewed from the outside every day. Groups can book visits to the interiors and museum in advance.

At the Handicraft Center in Jäneda, you will find a diverse selection of Estonian handicrafts. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work.

Which routes and activities suit different interests?

The Tamsalu Health Trails offer fitness, hiking and winter hiking routes with varied terrain. They include a 3.7-kilometre illuminated loop.

The Puhta Vee Theme Park offers hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing and cycling tours. It also rents out the necessary equipment. For people with disabilities, the park offers nature walks and rehabilitation services.

In Jäneda, the Presidents' Hike follows forest paths associated with Estonian presidents Konstantin Päts and Arnold Rüütel. In Moe, a MOEKale walk is also offered on and around the Kurberg factory grounds.

For an overnight stay outdoors, the Tõõrakõrve lõkkekoht has space for up to four four-person tents. It has a covered table-and-bench set, four separate benches, a covered fire pit, a dry toilet, a woodshed, a rubbish bin and an information board.

Which events and regional flavours are part of the experience?

Jäneda is also known for its recurring events. The Garden and Flower Days were held for twenty consecutive years and attract around 10,000 interested visitors annually. The Farm Days in Jäneda take place on the last weekend of July.

In Moe, Moe Krog serves food in a freshly renovated historic taproom in an old beer cellar. As many local ingredients as possible are used in the dishes, along with Moe products in sauces and marinades.

What train connections are available from Tapa Parish?

From Tapa Parish, train connections run towards Tallinn, Tartu and Narva.

For further comparison, you can also view Tapa, Rakke, Käsmu, Viru-Nigula, Väike-Maarja, Vihula, Sagadi and Rakvere.

FAQ

Is admission to the Tapa Museum free?

Yes. Admission to the Tapa Museum is free. It collects, preserves and exhibits objects, photographs and documents relating to the history and culture of Tapa Parish.

When can the Eesti Piiritusetööstuse Muuseum – Külastuskeskus be visited?

The Eesti Piiritusetööstuse Muuseum – Külastuskeskus in Moe welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Saturday. Visits are possible exclusively by prior reservation.

How many tents are permitted at the Tõõrakõrve lõkkekoht?

Up to four four-person tents can be set up at the Tõõrakõrve lõkkekoht. Available facilities include a covered table-and-bench set, four separate benches, a covered fire pit, a dry toilet, a woodshed, a rubbish bin and an information board.

When do the Farm Days in Jäneda take place?

For the higher-level travel overview: Lääne-Viru.