Kahala between the lake, nature and history

Kahala between the lake, bog and coast

Lake Kahala defines Kahala. The body of water is located in Harju County, in Kuusalu Parish and the village of Kahala, about 5 kilometres northeast of Kuusalu. As a publicly accessible body of water, it lies within the Lahemaa Nature Reserve (EE0010173). Between 7,500 and 8,500 years ago, the lake became a separate body of water when a beach ridge separated the lagoon of Ancylus Lake from the coastal area.

The lake has a weak flow and is fed by the Oldoja stream, drainage ditches from the surrounding fields and springs emerging from the bedrock. It drains via the Loo stream into Salmistu Bay. The Kahala bog surrounds the lake in the depression of a former lagoon of the Joldia Sea.

For further orientation during your trip, you can also include Triigi and Kahala in your itinerary.

Historic places by the lake

Kalamäe lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Kahala and was mentioned in 1241 as the property of monks. On the eastern shore is also the Kahala sacred grove, a formerly protected 0.9-hectare wooded area. The Toomani farmstead is also connected with the cultural history of the area: the Toomani Farm Museum is located in a former granary of the farmstead in the village of Muuksi. The architects Erika Nõva and August Volberg came from the Toomani farmstead.

Muuksi hillfort was first settled in the 1st millennium BC; its rampart was built only at the end of the prehistoric period. A staircase path leads from the Muuksi hillfort car park to the limestone cliff edge, which offers a beautiful view of the sea. About 1.3 kilometres northwest of Lake Kahala, on a limestone plateau, lies the group of Hundikangrud stone-slab graves, comprising around 65 graves.

Guided trails and activities

Lahemaa Retked offers a guided nature hike on the trails between Muuksi and Tsitre. This nature hike leads to Muuksi Hill; from the cliff edge, views open up over Kolga Bay and the Juminda Peninsula. A 30-kilometre guided cycling tour in Lahemaa National Park includes a stop at the Muuksi hillfort.

In Uuri, a heritage farm on the shore of Lake Kahala preserves, maintains and promotes the cultural heritage through training, events, community work and handicrafts. Pärimuskoda offers workshops ranging from spinning to woodworking. In summer, boating, canoeing and fishing are available at Lake Kahala as activities connected with Hiie Farm. Hiie Farm also offers a fully equipped motorhome and caravan park on the shore of Lake Kahala, open all year round.

Documented events

The Ümber Kahala Järve Jooks race took place for the third time on a Sunday, 18 August. On 1 March 2026, the “Kahala Järve Jääkas 2026” event took place on Lake Kahala.

For the overarching travel overview: Harju.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Viimsi, Paldiski Linn, Harku Parish, Kose, Kuusalu, Jõelähtme.