A Land of Bogs

Estonia is one of Europe’s most bog-rich countries – nearly one fifth of the mainland is covered by mires and bogs. Around 208,000 hectares remain today, many in pristine condition within national parks and nature reserves. These landscapes are not just wetlands – they are vast open spaces, shaped over millennia, where silence, fresh air, and endless skies create a truly Nordic sense of freedom.

Bogs Through Time

For centuries, bogs have been part of everyday life in Estonia:

• Foraging: cloudberries and cranberries are treasured seasonal delicacies.

• Fishing & hunting: bog lakes and wetland edges once sustained local communities.

• Refuge: hidden mineral islands offered safety in wartime.

• Winter roads: frozen bogs served as natural highways for sleds and horses.

Today, this heritage is alive again – through sustainable nature-based tourism.

Easy Access – Boardwalk Trails

Over 40 bog boardwalks across Estonia make these wild landscapes accessible to all. Many trails have parking, information boards, and viewing towers for panoramic views. Popular choices include Viru Bog in Lahemaa National Park, Tolkuse Bog near Pärnu, and Riisa Trail in Soomaa National Park – the “Land of Bogs”. Trails range from short 30-minute walks to half-day adventures.

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Guided Bog Experiences – Beyond the Boardwalk

Local guides offer unique ways to explore:

• Bog-shoe hikes – step off the trail into untouched nature.

• Overnight camping on bog islands, with stargazing by the fire.

• Winter snowshoeing or skiing across frozen wetlands.

• Nature photography & birdwatching in serene habitats.

• SUP or canoeing on mirror-still bog lakes.

Many tours combine nature with local food, smoke sauna traditions, and cultural storytelling.

Sustainable Bog Tourism

With thousands of visitors each year, responsible travel keeps Estonia’s bogs healthy:

• Avoid bog-shoeing in the nesting season (late April–late June) without special permission.

• Spread foot traffic to protect vegetation.

• Keep groups small and carry out all litter.

These guidelines are created jointly by tourism operators, scientists, and conservationists to ensure bogs remain wild for generations to come.

Why Visit?

Estonian bogs are more than wetlands – they are places of solitude, ancient stories, and natural wonder. Unlike in many countries where bogs are avoided, here they are celebrated – as part of living heritage and as a source of inspiration.