E9 section 60: Tabasalu - Tallinna sadam

The E9 Section 60: Tabasalu – Tallinna sadam is a 25 km point-to-point coastal trail in northern Estonia, gaining roughly 150 m of cumulative elevation over a single day. Rated easy to moderate, it threads the limestone klint cliffs of Tabasalu Nature Park before delivering hikers straight into Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town and the Port of Tallinn.

About the E9 section 60: Tabasalu - Tallinna sadam

This 25 km stage is one of the closing sections of the Estonian leg of the E9 European long distance path, the continent's great coastal trail that runs 9,880 km from Tarifa in southern Spain to Narva-Jõesuu on Estonia's Russian border. Estonia's portion, known locally as the Ranniku matkarada (Coastal Hiking Trail), covers about 622 km across roughly 30 stages, each waymarked with the distinctive white-blue-white blazes painted on stones, trees and posts.

Section 60 carries walkers eastward from the seaside town of Tabasalu, about 13 km west of the capital, into the heart of Tallinn and its historic harbour, the Tallinna sadam (Port of Tallinn). The route is managed under the umbrella of the European Ramblers Association, the federation of national walking clubs that coordinates all twelve E-paths across Europe. What makes this stage memorable is the contrast: it opens among the wild, wooded limestone bluffs of the North Estonian Klint and ends amid medieval merchant houses and ferry terminals bound for Helsinki and Stockholm.

Because Estonia is one of Europe's flattest countries — its highest point, Suur Munamägi, reaches just 318 m — there are no sustained climbs here. The modest elevation gain comes entirely from repeatedly dropping to beach level and climbing back up the klint escarpment, which rises as much as 30–35 m above the sea near Rannamõisa. For most reasonably fit hikers this is a comfortable full-day walk on good surfaces.

Route Overview & Stages

The section is naturally split into four manageable legs. The table below breaks down distances, the gentle elevation changes and the standout features of each segment.

Total distance comes to 25 km with around 150 m of accumulated ascent — a profile that flatters even the average tester of ultralight backpacks, since you'll rarely carry the weight on a real climb. Walking time runs about 6–7 hours including breaks.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Tabasalu Nature Park — a 100-hectare protected coastal park of pine forest and the dramatic North Estonian Klint, the limestone escarpment that runs for hundreds of kilometres along the Baltic.
• Rannamõisa cliff (pank) — a roughly 30 m limestone bluff with a wooden viewing platform offering one of the best sea panoramas near Tallinn.
• Türisalu cliff — lying just west of Tabasalu, this striking red-tinged klint (visible on a short detour) rises about 30 m and is a landmark of the Harju coast.
• Kakumäe peninsula — a leafy residential headland with a modern marina, calm swimming bays and easy forest paths.
• Stroomi beach — Tallinn's relaxed northern city beach, backed by a wooded park and a boardwalk promenade.
• Kalamaja & Telliskivi Creative City — a former industrial and fishermen's district now full of wooden houses, cafes, street art and the Telliskivi hub.
• Tallinn Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval centres, with Town Hall Square, Toompea Hill and the city walls.
• Port of Tallinn (Tallinna sadam) — the busy Old City Harbour, gateway to Helsinki (roughly 2 hours by fast ferry) and Stockholm, marking the official end of the section.

Best Time to Hike the E9 section 60: Tabasalu - Tallinna sadam

The clear standout window is June through August, and if you must pick a single best month it is July. Estonian summers are mild and exceptionally long on daylight: around the June solstice Tallinn enjoys close to 18–19 hours of usable light, so a 25 km day is unhurried even with frequent stops. July averages a comfortable 17–21°C, the Baltic is warm enough for a swim at Stroomi or Kakumäe, and the coastal paths are dry and firm.

May and September make excellent shoulder-season alternatives — fewer crowds in the Old Town, cool but stable weather (often 10–16°C), and good trail conditions. As of 2026, late-spring and early-autumn hiking remains the local sweet spot for avoiding the peak cruise-ship and ferry crowds that flood central Tallinn at midsummer. Winter (November–March) is feasible for hardy walkers but expect snow, ice on the klint platforms, short daylight of 6–7 hours, and temperatures that frequently sit below freezing. Spring thaw can leave forest sections muddy from late March into April.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because the section ends in the capital, lodging is plentiful at the eastern end. In central Tallinn, hostel dorm beds run roughly €20–35 per night, while mid-range hotels in or near the Old Town cost about €70–130 for a double. Budget guesthouses in Kalamaja sit around €50–80. At the Tabasalu end, options are limited to a handful of small guesthouses and holiday apartments (around €60–90), so many hikers base themselves in Tallinn and travel out to the start. Wild camping is not permitted within Tallinn's urban area; if you want to camp, use designated RMK sites further along the coast, which are free of charge.

Getting There & Back

The start at Tabasalu is easily reached from Tallinn by regional bus — lines from the Balti jaam / city centre take roughly 25–40 minutes. The finish, the Port of Tallinn, is a short walk or tram ride from the city centre and Balti jaam railway station. The nearest major airport is Tallinn Airport (TLL), about 5 km from the Old Town and 20 minutes away by tram line 4. International ferries from the Port of Tallinn reach Helsinki in around 2 hours, making this a popular finish for those continuing across the Gulf of Finland.

Permits & Fees

No permit or fee is required to walk Section 60. Estonia upholds the "everyman's right" of public access, so the coastal paths, nature park and beaches are free to use. There are no entry charges for Tabasalu Nature Park or the Rannamõisa cliff viewing platform. The only costs you'll encounter are transport, food, accommodation and any optional museum entries in the Old Town.

Gear & Packing List

This is a one-day, low-elevation coastal walk, so a light daypack is all you need. A 35–55 litre pack handles a day's water, layers and lunch with room to spare — the Abisko Hike 35 is an ideal size for this distance, while the 2400 Windrider suits anyone wanting an ultralight option. If you're stringing several E9 stages together with camping, step up to the Arc Haul Ultra 50L. Pack a waterproof shell (Baltic weather shifts quickly), sturdy trail shoes, sun protection for the exposed cliff-tops, and at least 1.5–2 litres of water since reliable refills only appear in the urban eastern half. Bring enough trail snacks to match a full day of walking — our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you plan portions.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the gentle gradients and sea air of this section appeal, Estonia's E9 has more in the same vein. The flat, coast-hugging stages further south offer comparable distances and the same white-blue-white waymarking, ideal for stitching a multi-day Baltic coastal walk together.

• E9 section 33: Häädemeeste-Uulu (Estonia, 26 km) — a similarly easy coastal stage on the western Pärnu Bay shore.

For something more mountainous and dramatic once you've caught the long-distance bug, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike E9 Section 60?
July is the single best month, with comfortable 17–21°C temperatures, dry coastal paths and up to 18–19 hours of daylight. June and August are nearly as good. May and September are excellent quieter shoulder-season choices, while winter brings snow, ice on cliff platforms and only 6–7 hours of daylight.

How difficult is the Tabasalu to Tallinn Port section?
It is rated easy to moderate. Estonia is extremely flat, so the roughly 150 m of cumulative ascent comes only from short climbs up and down the limestone klint. Surfaces are good throughout — forest paths, beach promenades and city pavements — making it suitable for most reasonably fit walkers without technical skills.

How long does the 25 km take in a day?
Most hikers complete the full 25 km in about 6–7 hours including breaks, averaging a relaxed 4–5 km per hour on the flat terrain. With Estonia's long summer daylight you can start mid-morning and still finish at the Port of Tallinn comfortably before evening, leaving time to explore the Old Town.

Where can I stay along the route?
The section ends in central Tallinn, where hostel dorms cost about €20–35, guesthouses €50–80 and Old Town hotels €70–130. At the Tabasalu end, lodging is limited to small guesthouses around €60–90, so many walkers base in Tallinn and bus out to the start each morning.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No. Estonia's "everyman's right" grants free public access to the coast, beaches and Tabasalu Nature Park, with no entry charge for the Rannamõisa cliff platform. There are no permits to arrange. Your only expenses are transport, food, accommodation and any optional Old Town museum tickets.

For the official route framework and waymarking standards, see the European Ramblers Association E9 page, and for Estonian trail maintenance, protected areas and camping facilities consult the State Forest Management Centre (RMK).