Bog Walking in Estonia 2024-2025

One of the unique and most exciting activities you can try in Estonia is bog walking. There are a lot of wetlands and swamps, such as Selisoo, Viru Bog, and Soomaa National Park. Visitors can also explore the wetlands and swamps of Lahemaa National Park. Some places are really hard or even impossible to reach on foot. For an exciting nature exploration experience, visitors can walk through the forest and swamp landscapes of these destinations, discovering unique flora and fauna throughout the journey.

Bog walking in Estonia provides sightings of various wildlife, including flocks of migrating birds returning in spring and different sounds of birds like Cuculus, Saturnus, and Ciconia. From late summer to autumn, the lush mushroom growth is an attraction. You might see occasional migratory birds resting on the bogs before their southern migration. Sightings of wild animals on the snow, including foxes, bears, and lynx, during snow-shoe hikes in winter are not uncommon. Estonia is also known for its flood season, labeled as the fifth season when bog shoes are especially needed. Many bogs in Estonia are equipped with wooden boardwalks for such activities. Each season has its perks when it comes to bog walking and bog shoeing tours.

Spring

March and April are known as the "fifth season" that brings spring floods. Bog tours usually combine hiking, canoeing and walking with special bog shoes while listening to the interesting stories about the local animals. You might be lucky to see flocks of migrating birds returning to Estonia. Some companies also offer picnics and warm tea.

In May, nature awakens, bog plants start flowering, and explorers can hear different voices of birds such as Cuculus, Saturnus, and Ciconia. Nature lovers head to Viru bog, one of the most accessible bogs in the country that runs through the forest and swamp landscapes characteristic of Lahemaa National Park.

Summer

In summer, bogs are at their best with a scent of heather and wild rosemary, and days are long enough to spend as much time as you need to take hundreds of photos. Bog tours familiarize nature explorers with herbs while hiking and canoeing through the marshlands. The summer season also offers white nights hiking experience after the sunset. On a sunny day, you can enjoy a swim in the open water in the bog. Wild berries and mushrooms peak in late summers, so a dose of natural vitamins awaits you there.

Autumn

Autumn brings fabulous hues of nature, Moose mating season (yeah-yeah, you might hear them at night!), and a variety of mushrooms and bog berries. Migrating birds take rest on bogs before departing southward, and the air over bogs is full of their sounds.

Late autumn brings silence to the bogs and woods of Estonia. Local companies offer Christmas wreath collecting and decoration workshops. As soon as winter takes over the land, the area becomes silent. On a snow-shoe hike you can find traces of wild animals on the snow, reach previously inaccessible areas (thank you, ice!), and end your day with campfire stories about local animals and mythological themes. Night owls can go on moon hiking tours with locally produced mulled wine and food products. The lucky adventurers might even hear wolves howling.

Whatever season you choose, Estonian bogs will amaze you with their beauty and bring silence to your soul. Many travel companies, such as Nature Explorer, Soomaa, and Kaasiku, include bog walking tours in their packages. Visitors can choose from a range of options, from canoeing and hiking to picnics and tea drinking. Each tour allows visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Estonian bog environment. These companies offer pick-up and drop-off services from any location in Estonia. Before booking, visitors must check portfolios and customer ratings to find the ideal tour matching their interests and preferences..