Lau: Hiking Trails, Nature and Rural Culture

Lau combines diverse hiking experiences with a rural cultural landscape whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. Those planning a trip involving nature, regional traditions and special activities will find a variety of reasons to stay here. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is therefore particularly useful to consider which activities you would like to make the focus of your days.

Hiking between Laukataguse and Kõnnumaa

A guided hike lasting up to two hours with Rain leads through the village of Lau. Along the way, you learn about the history of the holiday village and forest management before the route eventually reaches the Scottish Highland cattle. This guided tour combines the landscape and local history in one clearly defined experience.

The hiking trails from Laukataguse also lead to the Kõnnumaa Landscape Protection Area. In the area, you can hike through the Palasi bogs. This opens up different possibilities for planning your day: you can choose a guided tour with a local focus or make the bog landscape a central part of your itinerary. Activities on foot or by bicycle are also possible in the Keava Hills.

Special Experiences in Different Seasons

At Madise Farm, carriage rides are offered in summer, while sleigh rides are available in winter. This seasonal distinction is important when planning your trip: depending on the date, you will experience the surroundings in a different way. Another unusual experience is the Pärna smoke sauna at Laukataguse Holiday Village. It was built from linden logs and covered with a natural grass roof. Visitors can cool off in the pond or, in winter, in an ice hole.

The smoke sauna is therefore not only a place to relax, but also a notable example of a distinctive construction style and an experience that differs clearly from an ordinary hiking stage. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether you would like to focus on such special activities, the landscape or the historical traces of the village.

History and Oral Traditions

Keava Linnamägi, which is protected as a state archaeological monument, provides an important historical reference point. Linnusemägi in the Keava Hills dates back to 1054. Lau küla village was first mentioned in 1241 under the name Laucataux. Otsa Farm in Lau küla was also recorded in writing at an early date, first in 1712.

Lau also preserves oral traditions. Lau küla's cultural heritage includes a song about Otsa Kaarel. According to tradition, Noor-eit lived in a sauna in the village. Together with the village shop building, this creates a multifaceted picture of local history: the village shop building was erected in 1914 by Jaan Meinberg, the distiller of Ingliste Manor.

Planning the Right Stay in Lau

A holiday apartment or holiday house in Lau is particularly suitable for your plans if you would like to combine nature experiences, seasonal activities and culture. Before searching, decide whether guided hiking, the bog landscape, cycling, the activities at Madise Farm or historical discoveries should take up the most space in your itinerary. This allows you to choose the location of your accommodation according to your preferred daily routine and structure your trip sensibly.

For further orientation, you can also view the entries for Kehtna, Lokuta and Kenni.

For the broader travel overview: Kehtna Parish.