Viru bog trail

Viru bog is located in the Lahemaa National Park, on the way from Tallinn to Loksa. The hiking trail in Viru bog is a 3.5-kilometer circular route that introduces people to the typical Estonian raised bog and vegetation typical of such areas.

Viru bog is suitable for visiting at any time of the year, and the hiking trail is safe for visiting with children. Half of the trail runs on a wide wooden boardwalk, at the end of which stands a viewing tower.

Description of the Viru bog trail

Viru bog is famous for its lakes, which can be admired during the hike or from the height of several meters while resting on the viewing tower. The vegetation in the bog is typical of such places, although some differences from other bogs in Estonia can be found here. For example, trees sometimes grow quite densely, hiding the lakes from view.

Along the trail, information boards are installed with descriptions of the plant species that can be observed in the area. In late summer and early autumn, you can indulge in blueberries here, and in the deep autumn, you can also find cranberries. Sometimes, noble mushrooms can be found near the educational trail.

The hiking trail in Viru bog starts from the car park. You need to walk about a hundred meters before reaching the beginning of the wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk is quite wide, and two adults can easily walk side by side. However, after the viewing tower, the path becomes narrow, and you can only move along it one after another.

The route is circular. After walking along the boardwalk, you will find yourself in the forest, where you should follow the white and red markers on the tree trunks. Eventually, you will reach a fork in the road with a signpost indicating either a new circle or the car park.

Observation Tower of Viru Bog

The observation tower of Viru Bog is located a few hundred meters from the start of the trail. A wide wooden path leads to it. From the tower, there is a view of the entire bog. You can see all the lakes and plants from here.

The tower is a wooden structure with two viewing platforms. The first one can be accessed by an wheelchair. The upper one can be accessed only without additional equipment.

Photo gallery

Parking

There is a car park at the entrance to Viru Bog. The number of spaces here is limited. If there are many cars, you can park along the road on the roadside. There are no places for making fires or having picnics in the vicinity. Information boards are installed along the wooden path that describe the nature of the area. The text is in Estonian and English.

Location on the map

Other bogs in Estonia

• The tourist bog of Pääsküla is located right in Tallinn. Here you can walk several hiking trails.
• In the direction from Tallinn to Haapsalu, you can visit the picturesque bog of Valgejärve. Here you can swim in the lake and see various types of forest.
• One of the most popular trails in Lahemaa National Park is Majakivi-Pikanõmme. Here you can see a giant boulder from the Ice Age and climb to the top via a ladder.