Lost on purpose - nature journey through Estonia’s bogs and lakes
This is not just a hike – it’s an invitation to get lost in nature… on purpose. Are you ready to step into the untamed wilderness of Central Estonia?
Nature invites you on a pathless journey, where time follows no clock and direction is guided by your instinct and nature itself.
It’s a journey where the destination doesn’t matter.
As you step onto the softly springing moss underfoot, you’ll feel the rest of the world fade away.
These extraordinary bog trails are, at the same time, surprisingly easy to reach.
What to expect on the route
- Main attractions: Ingatsi bog, Kakerdaja bog, Parika`s small heart-shape lake/tower, Hot air balloon, WPark near Põltsamaa, Männiku Forest Farm
- Distance: Flowing along your own path
- Duration: To experience all the sights and adventures to the fullest, plan for two days.
- Season: from early spring to late fall
- How to get here: own transport
- Suggested Starting Points: Kakerdaja bog
A mist-shrouded morning
In Soomaa’s Ingatsi bog, clouds drift lazily across the mirror-like pools, while nesting bog birds chirp along the shores as if welcoming you. In Järvamaa’s Kakerdaja bog, the early morning mist often hangs like a veil, as if nature is briefly hiding something. Then, from behind that soft curtain, a paddleboarder slowly glides across the bog lake—drawn there to soak in the morning’s quiet magic. That could easily be you. Your feet move steadily along the boardwalk, while your thoughts wander far and free. There’s no rush here.
Photo author: Elo Kulla / Visit Järva
On a night when the wind sleeps
Parika’s small, heart-shaped lake keeps its secrets close. The path that winds around it invites you to circle back again and again. As you test the water’s warmth with a toe before a swim, the ripples you create spread slowly outward—just like the peace that settles inside you. There’s nothing you need to do. You simply are.
To feel that stillness even more deeply, spend the night atop a bog observation tower. Wrapped in your sleeping bag under an August sky full of stars, you’ll be surrounded by the quiet symphony of the wild. The hoot of a distant owl, the whisper of a sudden breeze, the rustle of forest creatures going about their night. And when dawn finally kisses the night goodbye, the sunrise appears like a newborn gift—silent, radiant, and powerful. Estonia’s bogs are dotted with these towers, waiting for those who wish to listen to the night.
Photo author: Silver Köster / Visit Järva
Rise Up
And if you wish to rise even higher, let a hot air balloon carry you over the early morning bogscape. You’ll float above a blanket of mist, where crooked pine trees rise like grey sentinels and the dazzling blue mosaic of the bog pools inspires awe and wonder. The sun is just beginning its day, while you’re already adrift between earth and sky, where thoughts become clearer and breathing easier. There’s no fear here.
Photo author: Jaano Rässa
Reflection of the Milky Way in the water
But maybe you’d prefer to experience the night from an entirely different perspective—like peering into the depths of water, to see if an ancient castle or a kissing mermaid might be hiding beneath the surface. Then wait for dusk and join a magical lighted canoe trip. You become the light in the dark. As your paddle dips gently into the water, slow ripples form on the surface. The gentle splashing sounds like a girl’s laughter echoing through the night. The sky turns a deep violet, stars blink into view, and everything around you becomes enchantingly surreal. Oh, what a night!
Photo author: Priidu Saart
Splashes and Adventure
For those who connect with nature through adrenaline rather than stillness, WPark near Põltsamaa turns up the water level — sometimes literally waist-high. SUP boards take flight, and wakeboards are pulled across the lake by zipline. Find your balance on the water! Whether you glide gently or crash in with a splash, this is the place to dive headfirst into summer. And if you do fall in, take it as nature’s refreshing hug — its own wild way of waking you up.
Photo author: WPark
A Call to a Sacred Site
Tucked away in the calm of Männiku forest farm, where time walks slowly in mossy slippers, you’ll find the grande finale of your journey: the smoke sauna. A sacred place in Estonian tradition, this isn’t just about sweating—it’s a ritual. A place to cleanse your body, clear your mind, and let tangled thoughts unravel. When your smoke-scented skin has been gently whipped with birch twigs, you can return to the world with a calm heart. Or just head to the kitchen, where something delicious is always waiting after a proper sauna.
Photo author: Taavi Bergmann
This is a journey not measured in kilometers, but in feelings. Let the wild guide you, and your spirit move to its own rhythm. Because when you’re lost on purpose, you always end up exactly where you need to be. This is the kind of nature that awaits you on a “Lost on Purpose” adventure in Central Estonia—ready to welcome you, on your terms, if you’re willing to wander.
Last updated
21.10.2025