Tips for getting lost on purpose — a journey through Estonia’s lakes and bogs
This is not just a hike; it’s an invitation to get lost in nature… on purpose. Are you ready to step into the wilderness of Central Estonia?
A journey without a destination
The landscape of Central Estonia invites you on a journey where time doesn't follow the clock and instinct and nature itself guide the way. As you step onto the boardwalk that winds through the bog, you’ll feel like you've entered a whole new world while your stress fades away.
Though you might feel far away, these extraordinary bog trails are surprisingly easy to reach.
What to expect on the route
- Main attractions: Ingatsi Bog, Kakerdaja Bog, Parika's small heart-shaped lake and observation tower, hot air balloon, WPark near Põltsamaa, Männiku Forest Farm
- Distance: It depends on how much of each trail you hike.
- Duration: To experience all the sights and adventures on the list, plan for at least two days.
- Best time to visit: From early spring to late fall
- How to get here: A car is recommended, and you can rent an electric one for a more eco-friendly way to travel.
- Suggested starting point: Of the places on the path, Kakerdaja Bog is the closest to Tallinn. Start there and head south, or drive to the furthest point, Koorküla's Lake Valgjärv, then head north. The article doesn't lay out the destinations in any particular order, so choose the place that calls to you the most and plan accordingly!
A mist-shrouded morning
Bogs are magical places, nothing like the dreaded, dark swamps of fairytales. In fact, they are incredibly photogenic. They change in every season, and the light plays on the surface of the water during sunrise and sunset. Plus, they provide a habitat to an incredible number of plant and bird species.
In Soomaa’s Ingatsi Bog, clouds drift lazily across mirror-like pools, while nesting 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 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.
Let 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 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: Evolumina
A view of the bogs from above
For a bird's-eye view of the landscape, let a hot air balloon carry you over the bog in the early morning. You’ll float above a blanket of mist, where crooked pine trees rise like grey sentinels and a dazzling mosaic of bog pools reflects the blue of the sky.
The sun is just beginning its day, while you’re already adrift below the clouds, 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 watery depths of a lake, to see if an ancient castle or a shy 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 into the water, slow ripples form on the surface. The gentle splashing sounds echo like laughter 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
A splash of adventure
For those who connect with nature through adrenaline rather than stillness, WPark near Põltsamaa turns up the excitement. SUP boards are launched on the water, and wakeboards are pulled across the lake by a zipline. Try to keep your balance! 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: Timo Müürsepp, WPark
Listening to the call of a sacred site
Tucked away in the calm of Männiku Forest Farm, where time walks slowly in mossy slippers, you’ll find the grand 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 a birch whisk, you can return to the world with a calm heart. Or head to the kitchen, where something delicious is always waiting after a proper steam.
Photo author: Taavi Bergmann
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.
We are ready to welcome you, on your terms, if you’re willing to wander.
Get is
Last updated
22.11.2025