Highest peak of Tallinn – a trash pile

Photo: Jaanus Leesment

As discovered by cartographer Marek Karm last week, the top highest spot of Tallinn is not Nõmme but a closed down Pääsküla garbage dump.

In media and other sources, references to highest peak of Tallinn are rare while all cite the hill surrounded by the streets Seljaku, Hiiu-Suurtüki and Vana-Mustamäe, in the district of Nõmme. The latest data says the hill is 64.4 metres above sea level.

According to OÜ Mapest cartographer Marek Karm, the hill does remain the highest natural spot in Estonia’s capital – but the Pääsküla garbage dump, by now closed, towers 2.2 metres higher at 66.6 from sea level. Relative height is 33 metres, quite a 9-storey house.

Despite the awesome relative height for Tallinn, the peak remains largely outside of townsfolk view. When driving towards Laagri along Vabaduse Avenue, for instance, it isn’t seen.

The discovery might have been made by anyone interested – the height data freely available in Land Board Geoportal. «In the land Board portal, Estonian height data has been measured by laser impulses from airplane and are very precise,» said Mr Karm.

While the garbage dump height remains to be officially ratified, Mr Karm says the aero scanning data are precise enough for confirmation of the discovery.

Namely, on open areas, the vertical data precision by a device named LIDAR is about ten centimetres. The measuring flights were performed by land Board in 2008–2011.

Mr Karm said the dump may not remain top peak forever as the waste inside the hill sinks. «Hope remains that the former top peak regains its status,» he said.

The abovementioned heights can’t be visited, neither are they in any way marked. In Nõmme, the hill is on fenced private land; in Pääsküla, the dump is closed to visitors without licence.

According to Tallinn deputy mayor Arvo Sarapuu, the dump is linked to EU projects at the moment and for several years the city may not build anything on or next to it. The hill features inbuilt pipes collecting gases. Some day, with no more gas coming from it, the hill will be «ready» and further projects may then be considered.

Mr Sarapuu cites grand global experience: former dumps have been successfully engaged for various purposes.

«At the moment, the destiny of the hill is undecided and various options are under consideration. To me personally, if seems the prudent thing to do would be a sports and leisure centre,» said Mr Sarapuu. «Travelling the world and beholding the old dumps, one spots fantastic developments: bird-watching towers, picnic areas, sports opportunities, bandstands, playgrounds, and solar power stations.»

The Pääsküla dump near Pääsküla swamp was established in 1972 as a thing temporal but remained for 30 years the deposit for trash from Tallinn and its surroundings. Finally closed by June 2007, it was covered by plastic and clay

Tallinn is running for European Green Capital 2018.