The boardwalk
Walking over the bog among the pools.
Abrget47j — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FrDr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · FrDr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dimuska — CC BY-SA 4.0
Viru Bog is a raised peat bog inside Lahemaa National Park, close to the Tallinn to Narva road. Covering 235 hectares, it is crossed by a well-known boardwalk that lets you walk over the surface among dark pools and stunted pines, one of the easiest ways to see this side of Estonian nature. After the ice melted, a lake sat here, and its sediments still lie at the bottom. The bog grew as the lake filled, limited by surrounding dune ridges. The peat is about three metres thick and grows about a millimetre a year, which puts the bog's age at around 3,000 years. Its name comes from its position in eastern Harjumaa, facing Virumaa. The boardwalk starts among pines, then emerges onto open ground dotted with small pools that reflect the clouds and colourful moss islands. Along the way an observation tower gives a full view of the path winding between the pools. The ground holds red and yellow bog plants, including the tiny insect-eating sundew, so leave them undisturbed. The bog lies about 50.1 km from Tallinn and 18.7 km from Palmse Manor in a straight line. Stay on the boardwalk at all times, since the bog is dangerous off it and the pools are deep. It gets slippery after rain or in frost, and you will want mosquito repellent in summer. Early morning, with mist rising, is the loveliest time.
Walking over the bog among the pools.
A full view of the path and pools.
A tiny insect-eating plant.
Viru Bog Trail, Kuusalu Parish, Estonia
No, it is a mostly level boardwalk, though it turns slippery after rain or in frost.
Better not. Stay on the boardwalk, since the pools are deep and the bog is dangerous off it.