After I first started researching Estonia when applying for my Digital nomad visa and its interesting history, I stumbled upon a company offering lantern hikes on a night-time exploration of Tallinn’s subdistrict of ‘Astangu’, an area rich in history, intrigue and adventure!

Our knowledgeable guide tells us that during the era of Soviet occupation, the military constructed several underground tunnels, bunkers, and a military base in Astangu in the World War one era of 1917, and plans were drawn up for 39 U-shaped ammunition storage tunnels that were to hand-carved from the limestone cliffs that characterise the district.

Whilst only six were started, two were completed and then discarded at the end of the conflict – yet the remnants of them are still visible and some accessible to explore (see the pictures I took) along with a number of crumbling buildings left over from the soviet occupation.

The hike was hugely interesting, especially at night, with a very insightful commentary (in English) by our knowledgeable guide, and went on for around 2 hours, with some traverses some moderate slopes and unstable terrain – so definitely wear good footwear. We also found it helpful to take a headtorch to navigate the rockier sections, however you’d get on fine without it.

The cost was €20 per person and well worth it for the history of this otherwise unknown history!

More information: 

https://www.asseeninestonia.com/lantern-hikes-aka-laternamatkad

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