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Hidden legends and forest trails: a self-guided journey through Nõmme
Discover another side of Tallinn by boarding a train to the most forested district in Tallinn. Whether you’re new to the city or rediscovering your own backyard, this walking route through Nõmme lets you get a taste of local life in Tallinn: green, calm, historic, and charmingly eccentric.
The following guide combines walking directions with descriptions and historical context, allowing you to set your own pace while you stroll through the green and calm Nõmme district. The walking route is 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) long.
Here's a teaser for what you'll see and do on your journey:
- Take a train to Hiiu, a quiet residential area in the district of Nõmme.
- Explore Glehni park – a serene green area with fantastic sculptures and a castle that stand as a testament to the founder of Nõmme.
- Take a leisurely stroll through the pinewood forest in the Nõmme-Mustamäe Landscape Protection Area.
- Enjoy the bustle of the historical Nõmme market.
- End your adventure at Nõmme train station, visit the local Nõmme Museum or wait for your train with the Dozing Stationmaster.
Click on the map above to open the Nõmme route in Google Maps.
Depart from Balti jaam
Your journey begins at Balti jaam, Tallinn’s main railway station and a historical crossing point between the city and the world beyond. Today, its platforms are your gateway to a day filled with greenery, heritage, and charm. Trains towards Hiiu run frequently and take you just 15 minutes away from the city centre — and a world apart.
Arrive at Hiiu and head towards Glehn Park
Once at Hiiu, cross the street and head straight along Hiiu-Suurtüki street until you reach the end of the street and see the pinewood forest in front of you. Turn left onto Vana-Mustamäe street and walk until you reach the romantic woodland of Glehn Park – a natural oasis rich with local legend and artistic whimsy. Towering trees shade winding paths that guide you past some of Nõmme's most iconic landmarks:
- The atmospheric Glehn Castle, built in the 1880s by Baron Nikolai von Glehn, the visionary founder of Nõmme.
- The mighty stone statue of Kalevipoeg, Estonia’s national hero.
- The whimsical Crocodile sculpture, which hints at the baron’s creative spirit.
Let the forest’s hush accompany you, and perhaps take a moment to imagine the baron himself strolling these very paths.
Discover the heart of Nõmme
After a while, you’ll notice the pathway heading upward onto a pedestrian bridge. Take a moment to enjoy the view both ways. To your left, a road leads towards Mustamäe district. To your right, you’ll see the charming centre of Nõmme. Across the bridge to your right, you’ll notice a monument to the Baron von Glehn - the founder of Nõmme.
In the centre of Nõmme, stop in at:
- Nõmme Market (Nõmme turg) – a charming local market selling fruits and vegetables, but also chocolate, pastries and other goods. The lovely wooden market building was built in the 1930s and is one of the last of its kind.
- Kalev Chocolate Shop – tucked within the market, this sweet-smelling stop lets you indulge in Estonian confections and nostalgia.
Have a meal on your way to the station
From the market, head further into Nõmme towards Jaama street. You’ll pass some great places for a meal:
- Kius is a stylish restaurant right next to the market, serving contemporary international cuisine.
- Sõõrikukohvik, on Jaama street, is a legendary eatery beloved by locals for their delicious Estonian style doughnuts, although they also serve more substantial meals.
The end of the road – Nõmme railway station
Your adventure comes to an end at the end of Jaama street. Here lies Nõmme railway station, a picturesque spot with roots as deep as the pine trees surrounding it. This is where Baron Glehn’s dream of a garden city began to take shape. Nearby stands “Tukkuv jaamaülem” – the “Dozing Stationmaster”, a sculpture by Lembit Onton that reminds passersby that in Nõmme, time doesn’t just slow down — it takes a nap.
But this building isn’t just a train station! It also houses the local Nõmme Museum – it’s small and cosy but tells a big story: the birth and growth of Nõmme. The museum is only open on Wednesday afternoons and on Sundays, but they have a comprehensive free audio tour on their website, allowing you to learn more about this charming, forested district.
