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I cautiously stepped off the narrow wooden boardwalk and settled my foot onto what looked like a patch of rusty grass. And then my foot sank. Not all the way, just an inch or so—enough for the cold, red-tinged water hiding underneath to squish through and remind me that what I was actually trying to do here was walk on water. They are rich with vegetation and revered as carbon sinks. Estonia has one of the largest peat bog systems in Europe , and you can go hiking in it. Or, on it. Aivar Ruukel grew up in the area of Soomaa National Park and has been leading tourist activities since soon after the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in My guide was Aivar Ruukel, who grew up in this area and opened a bed-and-breakfast along the Navesti River in —just a year after Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union. Called haabjas , they are made from a single tree and have been indispensable to the region for centuries, not only because of the four rivers that wind through the land here, but also because the rivers have a tendency to rise so high in the spring that they submerge roads, forests, houses, and meadows. When that happens, residents can only get around in canoes. These marshy wetlands cover about 6 to 7 percent of the country. After Ruukel canoed our small group across the river, we made our way through a thin band of trees to the boardwalk. He picked wild blueberries and bog bilberries from the underbrush, and my whole face puckered when I popped them into my mouth. I made a mental note to try to find riper ones in cakes and jams later in my trip. We ambled for a couple minutes and then emerged into the sun, and the sight wowed me: a far-reaching plain of mottled yellow, red, and green, like something out of a Van Gogh painting. Green trees lined the horizon, and closer in, I could see a few open ponds that had broken through the peat and grass. One even had a wooden swimming platform, where, Ruukel told me, people in the area often come for a dip in the cold water. After a short stroll on the boardwalk, I kicked off my sandals and slid my bare feet into the special bog shoes Ruukel had brought. They are similar to plastic snowshoes, with an oval frame and rubberized straps, and Ruukel pointed out that their wide footprint would distribute my weight to keep me from sinking more than an inch or so on the peat. As I stood up, I realized that they are also hilariously awkward. I felt like a toddler plodding around in them—exaggerating each stride so as not to trip over my own feet, and failing to stifle a delighted giggle every time I watched my foot squelch down into the mossy carpet. The sensation was mind bending: The buoyant peat beneath me felt securely thick and supportive but just unstable and bouncy enough to send signals to my brain that I was definitely not walking on solid ground. The only thing I could think to compare it to was imaginary: like walking on a wet, squishy cloud—sensorially disorienting in the most delightful way possible. Bog hiking is also called bogshoeing, after the specialized plastic footwear that helps you stay afloat. I eventually got the hang of it and waddled over to the swimming hole, where the peat opened to reveal a pool of deep, umber water. The natural acidity of the bog water prevents bacteria from growing—plus, it is rich with organic compounds that supposedly soften the skin. And so, in I went. On that hot late-August day, the water felt deliciously cool. Ruukel and I floated around for a spell, talking more about the bog and the park and his life in Estonia. Then we rested on the platform while drying off in the summer sun and eventually made our way back to the canoe and his lodge across the river for drinks and snacks. His company, Soomaa. But to me, nothing measures up to the wonderful weirdness of bog hiking. It offers a variety of tours and information about the area. In Tartu, Hotel Lydia is perfectly situated a block from the main square and walking distance to just about everything. Bring the usuals for a hike a hat, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen , plus watersafe shoes or sandals and a swimsuit if you want to take the plunge. Ruukel or one of his guides will provide bog shoes, and you can wear them over your regular shoes or use them barefoot. Trip Ideas. By Billie Cohen. Copy Link copied. Estonia is dotted with raised bogs, peaty wetlands that do double duty as carbon sinks. Photo by Billie Cohen. The Riisa boardwalk extends about three miles through the bog in Soomma National Park. The peat layer in Riisa bog can be as much as 10 feet thick. Billie Cohen. She works on all types of content but has a soft spot for nerd travel, including maps , libraries, architecture , science , dessert , music , and Oreo flavors around the world. Follow her billietravels. Natural Wonders. Water Sports. Looking for an Active Beach Trip? Check Out This Coastal Destination. Sponsored by Visit Corpus Christi. Sponsored by Visit Richmond. Where to Travel Next. Where to See Art and Music in Richmond. Sustainable Travel. Sponsored by Lufthansa Group. See More. Sign up for our newsletter. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter. Email required. Holiday Travel. Katherine LaGrave. Stay Here Next. We Got an Early Look. Tim Chester. Outdoor Adventure. Matt Kirouac. Road Trips. Tanvi Chheda.

The Viru Bog Trail: Estonia’s beautiful bogs

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The Viru bog trail is one of the many hiking trails in Estonia. Estonia is a land of forests, bogs, mires and wetlands. Viru Bog is located in Lahemaa National Park, one of the oldest and largest national parks in the country. Lahemaa National Park is only 1 hour away from Tallinn and the Viru Bog trail is an easy hike of 6 kilometers. This makes it a perfect day trip and nature get away from the capital. Viru bog is only one of the many bogs in Estonia. Bogs are the oldest landscapes in the country and some are up to years old. They formed in the last ice age when glacial melt water collected in depressions. Dead plant materials accumulated into layers of peat. In most bogs in Estonia the layer of peat can be up to 7 meters thick. Bogs in Estonia are shrouded in myths and legends. People used to be afraid of the bogs and they were associated with supernatural events. Hunters did venture into the bogs to hunt moose and beavers, but most stayed away and feared the spirits living there. Among them Eksitaja who made people get lost in the bogs or the water spirit of Nakk that appears as a human or animal. Things changed in the 13th century when the Swedes, Germans and Danes tried to conquer the country. People now used the bogs as a place to hide. Foreign powers had less respect for the bogs. The Soviets started large scale draining of the wetlands and extraction of the peat. Luckily, activists called for protection of the bogs to preserve its fragile ecosystem. In recent years there is more attention for the protection of bogs, because of their important role in preventing climate change and water regulation. We know, for example, that bogs act as carbon sinks. They store large amounts of carbon in the form of dead plant material that accumulates over centuries. The water in the bogs slow down the decomposition of organic matter, leading to the accumulation of carbon in the soil. Bogs also act as natural sponges, absorbing and holding water. This helps regulate water flow, reducing the risk of flooding and storing water during dry periods. Plants are adapted to the acidic and waterlogged conditions with lots of mosses and lichens, like sundews and cotton grass. While large mammals are less common, bogs are rich in insects and birds. Viru Bog is therefore a great place for birdwatching. To make the bogs accessible for visitors there are a number of well marked trails in the country. Most use boardwalks so you can see this unique landscape without damaging the bogs. So why visit Viru bog of all bogs in Estonia? For me this was mostly a practical decision. It is the only one accessible by public transport from Tallinn. Most other bog trails are better explored when you have your own transport. Something I plan to do for my next trip to Estonia. I was quite impressed by the natural beauty and would love to visit more off the beaten path bogs in the country. Because of its easy accessibility from Tallinn, Viru bog is one of the most popular bog trails in Estonia. On weekends the parking is full and the boardwalks crowded. Unfortunately, it is not necessarily the quiet and peaceful experience you might expect. It was a cold day and the bog was covered in a white layer of snow. In this case it was an advantage that there were at least some other people around. Otherwise it might have been easy to get lost. Even the boardwalk was completely covered in snow and we had to follow the footsteps of the people that went before us. The Viru bog trail is thus an easy way to get to see the bogs of Estonia as an independent budget traveller. There is no need of having your own car or going on an expensive tour. The Viru bog trail is an easy and worthwhile day trip from Tallinn. The full Viru bog trail is a loop of 6 kilometers. With a lunch break in between it took me about 3 hours to hike from start to finish. The Viru bog trail is marked and in between there are information boards about the flora and fauna of the bog. The nearest bus stop from the start of the hike is Loksa Tee. From there it is only meters to the parking lot where the Viru Bog trail starts. Sebe bus is the most convenient bus to take and runs from Balti jaam train and bus station near the old town to Loksa tee. There are not many, but there is one in the morning and two buses that return in the afternoon. Check Google for the current schedule. There are a few other options that require a change of buses or that stop at the Tallinn bus station on the outskirts of the city. The first part of the trail is even accessible to wheelchairs. The trail starts in the forest and after about meters you enter the boardwalks over the bog. This part of the trail is most crowded as well and ends after 1. Here you have beautiful views over Viru Bog. After the watchtower the boardwalk continues through the Viru bog. After the watchtower the trail became more quiet and it was just us and lots of snow. Everything was covered in a white layer of snow. Even the narrow boardwalks that were sometimes difficult to follow. A few times I almost stepped too much to the side and got my feet wet. Luckily my hiking shoes were waterproof indeed. After about 3 kilometers we made it back to the forest and walked back to the parking lot and bus station. There are no hotels or guesthouses near Viru Bog. It is best to stay in Tallinn. I stayed in Hestia hotel Il Marine where I could get a good winter deal. There are no places to eat in or near the Viru bog so bring enough drinking water and food with you. The Balti jaam market in Tallinn is a great place to do so. Meie Gruusia sells delicious Khachapuri Georgian cheese bread that makes a perfect picnic lunch on the trail. There is no wrong time to visit the Viru bog and it makes for a great day trip any time of the year. Estonia experiences a Northern European climate with distinct seasons. Basically every season has its own charm. During this time, you can witness the bog coming to life with the emergence of new plant growth and the return of migratory birds. The weather is generally mild, and the bog is not as crowded as it can be in the summer. Summer July to August : Summer is the peak tourist season. The weather is typically warm and dry. However, it can be crowded during this time, so if you prefer a quieter experience, try visiting in the early morning or late afternoon. Autumn September to November : Autumn brings a beautiful transformation to Viru Bog as the surrounding trees change color. Winter December to February : Winter offers a unique experience in Viru Bog, especially if you enjoy snow-covered landscapes. I did the Viru bog trail in winter and I thought it was absolutely spectacular. There was a thick layer of snow, the bogs were frozen and it was a magical winter wonderland. In short, it was a very cold, but also a magical winter wonderland. When you visit in winter I can recommend to dress warm and bring a thermos of tea. Sturdy shoes : because most of the walk is on board walks there is no need for professional hiking boots. The trail is flat and easy. In winter I was happy with my waterproof hiking boots though. Mosquito repellent : in summer there will be lots of mosquitoes at Viru bog. Bring a strong mosquito repellent. Sunscreen : once you are in the bogs there is little shade. Use enough sunscreen on a sunny day, even in winter. Like in many Scandinavian countries, such as Swedish Lapland , there is free access to nature. You are free to wander in nature and pick berries and mushrooms as you like. The bogs are fragile though. I encourage you to take all your trash back with you and dispose of it responsibly. In other words, leave no trace of your visit. Even better is when you bring something to pick up any of the trash that other people left behind. To avoid single-use plastics, invest in reusable items. For example, you can bring your own water bottle with a filter. Bog shoes : It is possible to walk through the bogs with bog shoes, but only do this on a guided tour. The guide will know where you can go without disturbing nature. Disclaimer : This post about the Viru bog trail contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support! Is it easy to find you way throuth the path without guide? I walked the entire trail without snowshoes and in the weekend there were enough people that have walked through the snow that the path was visible. It might be more difficult when there is fresh snow. Your email address will not be published. Bogs and Climate Change In recent years there is more attention for the protection of bogs, because of their important role in preventing climate change and water regulation. Viru bog The Viru bog trail The Viru bog trail is thus an easy way to get to see the bogs of Estonia as an independent budget traveller. Step 1: Getting to the start of Viru bog trail. Viru bog trail Step 2: Hiking to Viru bog watchtower The first part of the trail is even accessible to wheelchairs. From the watchtower you can decide to walk the same way back or continue through the bogs. Viru bog Step 3: Viru bog After the watchtower the boardwalk continues through the Viru bog. Where to eat There are no places to eat in or near the Viru bog so bring enough drinking water and food with you. Meie Gruusia sells delicious Khachapuri Georgian cheese bread that makes a perfect picnic lunch on the trail When to visit There is no wrong time to visit the Viru bog and it makes for a great day trip any time of the year. Viru bog in winter What to pack Sturdy shoes : because most of the walk is on board walks there is no need for professional hiking boots. Sustainable travel to Viru Bog Like in many Scandinavian countries, such as Swedish Lapland , there is free access to nature. Author: Ellis Veen. Filed Under: Eastern Europe , Estonia. Tags: Estonia , Hiking , Tallinn , Viru bog. Tallinn in winter: the ultimate travel guide. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kale by LyraThemes.

Bog Walk buy snow