Saunaküla: Meadows, Lake and Village History

Get to know Saunaküla through its landscape, paths and local history. Points of interest include the low Estonia Hills, Lake Estonia and the route between Kaerepere, Saunaküla and Kumma, designated as a nature trail. There are also stories about the founding of the village, the origin of its name and traditional crafts of earlier times.

Meadows, Hills and Wooded Areas

The Estonia Hills—Eesmägi, Keskmägi and Tagasoomägi—are low rises amid meadows. Through human activity and ongoing maintenance, these meadows have developed into species-rich wooded meadows and are listed as locally significant nature conservation sites. The named rises are individual landscape features; the surrounding area also includes extensive natural areas.

There are lightly used coniferous and mixed forests of various ages, meadows and a few clear-cut areas. Lake Estonia is also located in the Saunaküla area. The oaks at Tammiku Farm are described as valuable natural features. Thus, in addition to the low rises and the lake, wooded areas and open spaces are among the village’s varied landscape features. The wooded meadows combine ongoing maintenance with rich biodiversity; the forests include coniferous and mixed stands of various ages.

Paths and Getting Around

The main road through Saunaküla starts in Kaerepere and leads to the meadows and the Estonia recreation area, with its lake and Estonia Hill. The Kaerepere–Saunaküla–Kumma route is separate: it is designated as a nature and cultural history trail and is one of the public hiking trails in Kehtna Municipality. Thus, the road connects to the recreation area, while the trail focuses on nature and cultural history and names three places.

The local roads in Saunaküla and Kaerepere lead to the Tallinn–Türi highway, which lies a few kilometres from the village boundary. This information helps with orientation by identifying both the road connection and its proximity to the village boundary. Kehtna Municipality also mentions the Estonia recreation areas in connection with summer sports activities and swimming.

Origins and Community Life

Saunaküla is said to have originated with families who moved west and north from the older villages of Kumma and Kaerepere as land use expanded. The name Saunaküla probably derives from landless saunas that served as accommodation for workers on the Valtu Manor estate. The first explanation concerns the village’s origins; the second, the origin of its name—two distinct questions of local history.

Historically, farming households in Saunaküla earned additional income through crafts, particularly woodworking and wagon making. Community life in the village included joint spring clean-up events and celebrating Jüripäev. Eight summer gatherings of current and former villagers were also held, five years apart.

Discover more destinations: Rappel, Kastna, Käru, Kõrbja, Märjamaa, Kuusiku

Back to the main travel overview: Rapla.