Page 44 iGap travelguide 2023
P. 44
iGap Travel Guide
44
One of the highlights of Laheem National Park is Viru
Bog. Its accessibility means it is a well traversed part
of Estonia, and many keen hikers and tourists have
passed through the forest and marsh landscapes
that are typical of this section of the park. Bog-
shoeing trips are organised by experienced experts
who will take you through a true winter wonderland
– take your camera with you and get a glimpse
of Estonia’s rich animal kingdom, with moose,
deer, boar, lynx, foxes, wolves, hares, squirrels and
countless birds. The study trail provides information
about the flora in the bog, the former sand dunes,
the ridges and the heath woodland. A boardwalk
winds its way through the bog, at the centre of
which is a viewing tower which offers a breath-
taking panorama of the wondrous surroundings.
Estonia has thousands of small bodies of water and
picturesque bog lakes, but perhaps one of the best
known is Lake Peipus. On the north shore you can
enjoy the privacy of the longest sandy beach in Estonia
that measures over 30 kilometres. Along the eastern
shore of the lake, take time to visit the unique villages
of the Old Believers, a traditional Russian community.
Lake Peipus is the fifth largest in Europe. Like much
of Estonia, when winter comes along the lake under
goes a grand transformation. The lake is frozen over
completely and many Estonians venture out to do a
spot of ice fishing – you can join them too, just be sure
to bring some bait! This beats fishing at your local lake
or river, because where else can you warm yourself up
with some locally brewed vodka?
VIRU BOG
LAKE PEIPUS
44
One of the highlights of Laheem National Park is Viru
Bog. Its accessibility means it is a well traversed part
of Estonia, and many keen hikers and tourists have
passed through the forest and marsh landscapes
that are typical of this section of the park. Bog-
shoeing trips are organised by experienced experts
who will take you through a true winter wonderland
– take your camera with you and get a glimpse
of Estonia’s rich animal kingdom, with moose,
deer, boar, lynx, foxes, wolves, hares, squirrels and
countless birds. The study trail provides information
about the flora in the bog, the former sand dunes,
the ridges and the heath woodland. A boardwalk
winds its way through the bog, at the centre of
which is a viewing tower which offers a breath-
taking panorama of the wondrous surroundings.
Estonia has thousands of small bodies of water and
picturesque bog lakes, but perhaps one of the best
known is Lake Peipus. On the north shore you can
enjoy the privacy of the longest sandy beach in Estonia
that measures over 30 kilometres. Along the eastern
shore of the lake, take time to visit the unique villages
of the Old Believers, a traditional Russian community.
Lake Peipus is the fifth largest in Europe. Like much
of Estonia, when winter comes along the lake under
goes a grand transformation. The lake is frozen over
completely and many Estonians venture out to do a
spot of ice fishing – you can join them too, just be sure
to bring some bait! This beats fishing at your local lake
or river, because where else can you warm yourself up
with some locally brewed vodka?
VIRU BOG
LAKE PEIPUS
