Viru Bog, Estonia Visual Diary

Photography – Laetitia Wajnapel
📍 – Viru Bog

I am not much of an explorer of the wild, generally my holidays revolve around cities and include some sort of nature escapades, but nothing too intense. I once stayed in a cabin in the woods in England and barely lived to tell the tale… I never once in my life went camping either, which means I have never been able to explore natural wonders in much depth.

It all changed in December, when I was taken to Laheema National Park for a couple days during a trip to Tallinn. Before heading back to London, we went on an epic 2hour walk on the Viru Bog study trail, through the forest, marshes and lakes. We walked in a single file on wooden trails, wide enough to put one foot in front of the other. It was like a super tame and condensed version of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild – way tamer and way more condensed, OK, because Viru Bog is one of the most accessible bogs in Estonia.

While on our way, we learned about the flora, former sand dunes, ridges and heath woodland. We stopped by the viewing tower to take in the whole scene from above which was breathtaking, and not only because of gale force winds threatening to blow the beanies right off our heads.

The Viru Bog (or Viru Raba in Estonian) is only an hour and a half drive from Tallinn, making it the perfect day trip. For more information about it, check out VisitEstonia.com.