Rebala Heritage Nature Trails

What trace has one era or generation of people left behind?

The nature trails of Rebala’s heritage landscapes introduce landscapes shaped by humans over the past 3,000 years, where you can simultaneously experience the impact of the activities of different human generations on the surrounding landscape and natural environment as a whole.

Rebala Children’s stone-cist graves offer glimpses of ancient human activities, old burial sites, and ancient fields.

On the nature trails of the Võerdla and Rebala quarry forest, we can see the traces of the Soviet-era phosphorite mine and the gradual recovery of nature following the cessation of mining activity. On the Rebala side path, you can see (and occasionally smell) the Tallinn landfill built on the lands of the native farms of Rebala village, representing modern man’s environmental footprint.

Before you set off, remember…

  • The nature trails are located in the buffer zone of the Rebala Heritage Reserve;
  • The nature trails are meant for walking, cycling and horse riding (there is a motorcycle restriction zone;
  • The nature trail of the Võerdla and Rebala quarry forest consists of two interconnected trails (marked in green and red). From the parking lot of the red Rebala trail, you can access the Children’s stone-cist graves trail (yellow trail on the map);
  • The length of the Children’s Stone-cist Graves trail is approximately. 500m, Võerdla Quarry Forest Nature Trail (approx.) 4.2km, Rebala quarry forest nature trail approx. 4.5km. The Rebala trail can also be cut shorter;
  • The starting coordinates of the Võerdla quarry forest trail: 59.466560152158465, 25.067672139910155
    The starting coordinates of the Rebala quarry forest nature trail and the Rebala Children’s stone-cist grave trail: 59.47184729592588, 25.09564078702992
  • Choose shoes according to the weather. After the snow melts, the track is accessible without rain boots; the soil is somewhat sandy in warm weather.

As you set off, beware...

  • There may be radiation on the disturbed ground, so do not take anything with you, and if you are tired, do not sit directly on the ground but on the benches made for this purpose or on the trunks of fallen trees;
  • Look in front of your feet (vipers live here);
  • It is forbidden to make a bonfire here because of the fire hazard;
  • Please take your own and other people’s trash with you when you leave;
  • The nature trail has video surveillance (many trail cameras to monitor wildlife).