Back in June this year, I desperately wanted to drive somewhere and explore a place I had not been to yet here in Estonia, which is not too far. So I opened up Google Maps and started searching the possibilities. So I found a bog named Väätsa bog, in central Estonia, about an hour and a half drive from me. It looked interesting enough from the photos, and I had never been there.
Having made the plan, I collected the stuff I needed and drove there. I arrived about half past 8 in the evening. But it was mid-summer, so darkness is not much of a problem at this time. I began on a trail that started from quite a thick bush.
Soon after, I stepped into a real forest. It was pretty moist everywhere; it had been raining recently, and most of this forest is quite swampy anyway.
It didn't take long for the forest to take on a bog-like appearance. Trees are getting shorter, and the underside of the forest is getting cleaner.
In no time, I made it to Väätsa bog itself. Quickly, I realized that it doesn't look like most of the bogs do here in Estonia. It was a bog that is in its end stages of being a bog, really. Usually, there are short trees and open landscape in the bogs, but here it was not the case. Tall pine trees surrounded the empty wet areas in this bog, and I saw no open water anywhere.
You can't go walking in these empty areas. These are still very wet and soft. You will quickly fall through the ground and worst case, drown in the mud.
These wet areas resemble a golf course from afar lol. Smooth and green. It was so cool to see a bogscape but with tall trees. I loved to take photos there. Looking so different.
All these green areas used to be bog lakes many years ago, but over time, the lakes grew full of vegetation. It takes many years, but there will come a time when those green areas will be full of pine trees like the areas next to them.
Soon, I reached the central area of this bog, and there I could still see the open water. These parts of open water are in the process of growing full of vegetation too. After about 100 years, there's most likely no open water left.
The lakes were still surrounded by tall pine trees, so the landscape was still definitely foreign to see for me.
I was a bit bummed that the weather was cloudy and overcast. It's not a recipe for good photos usually.
I found a bench there, so I sat for about 20 minutes. Stared over this bog and enjoyed the nature sounds.
The island in the middle of this lake sure does look scenic.
Took some more photos there before walking away from this area.
While I continued with my hike along the trail through this wetland, I reached the area that started to look like a regular bog landscape we usually have here in Estonia. Short pine trees and open landscape.
I followed the trail, made my way through the forest, and circled back towards where I started the hike. I found a fireplace location at the side of the trail. Someone had been there recently. The fireplace was still hot and smoking.
I didn't see anyone while I was out there on the trail.
It was such an interesting round trip, and I saw so many different forms of landscapes on this trail. If you travel in Estonia and want to see the wilderness we have, then I strongly recommend this trail for the variety of different scenes and beauty.
I'm going to add this photo here as well, of this countryside road I drove on later. The time was about 10 in the evening, but it was not enywhere near getting dark yet. I already miss those bright times so much because now the sun goes down at 6.35 in the evening already.
[//]:# ([//]:# (!worldmappin 58.93634 lat 25.46208 long d3scr))
Damn that place is stunning. It looks like a fairy territory. Maybe the fairies did the fireplace as their way of welcoming you :P
To think of it. That might be the possibility yesss! Although they forgot to remember that it might be a fire hazard there😬
You explored the different stages of the bog, it’s amusing to see how nature slowly transforms those old lakes into lush green areas surrounded by tall pines.
Yep, I love to see how places form geologically. It was something different for sure.
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That sounds like such a peaceful and beautiful experience! I love how you described the bog and its changing landscape, it really makes me want to visit and see it for myself.
This place reminds me my childhood, when I was tripping the road was kind of similar, a lot of similar trees, it takes me back to another time!
Beautiful pictures, specially the lake, so beautiful!
Going there really need to be cautious as you said that there are parts that are wet and soft. But what really made me stunned was the beauty of the surroundings. If the area is not watery, I think it's amazing to to do camping there.😄