Lau – Hiking and Village History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Lau, specific interests can help you plan your stay. Topics include hiking, seasonal activities, a smoke sauna, and the history of Lau küla. You can decide in advance whether you want to focus on time in nature, a guided activity, or local history. The offerings vary by topic, season, and, in some cases, duration.

Hiking and Landscape

The Laukataguse hiking trails lead to the Kõnnumaa Landscape Conservation Area. You can also hike in the Palasi bogs within the protected area. For orientation, these are two distinct locations: the trails lead to the conservation area, while the Palasi bogs are a hiking area within it.

You can also explore the Keava Hills on foot or by bicycle. Linnusemägi in the Keava Hills dates back to 1054. Keava Linnamägi is a state-protected archaeological monument.

Activities and Seasons

A guided hike with Rain takes you through the village of Lau and lasts up to two hours. It introduces the history of the holiday village and forest management, before ending with the Scottish Highland cattle. If you’d like to learn about these topics on a guided hike, the tour offers a specific way to do so.

Madise Farm offers carriage rides in summer and sleigh rides in winter. The season is the key difference between the two rides. Ask the provider about dates if one of them is important for your travel dates.

The Pärna smoke sauna at Laukataguse Holiday Village was built from lime tree logs and has a natural grass roof. Visitors can cool off in the pond, or in winter, in an ice hole. If the winter option is key to your plans, check the seasonal conditions before you arrive.

Two distinct planning considerations stand out when choosing between the offerings: the guided tour lasts up to two hours, while the Madise rides are tied to a particular season.

Local History and Oral Tradition

The village of Lau küla was first mentioned in 1241 under the name Laucataux. Otsa Farm is one of the oldest farms in Lau küla and was first mentioned in 1712. The building that houses the Lau village shop was built in 1914 by Jaan Meinberg, the schnapps distiller for the Ingliste manor. The three dates mark different milestones: the first mention of the village, the first mention of the farm, and the construction of the building.

Lau küla’s oral heritage includes a song about Otsa Kaarel. According to one account, Noor-eit lived in a sauna in the village. The song and the story add another way of engaging with local history alongside the dates: while the dates place the village, farm, and building in time, the oral traditions belong to the cultural stories of Lau küla.

Discover more destinations: Kehtna, Lokuta, Kenni

For the broader travel overview: Kehtna Parish.