Tallinn ↔ Lahemaa Tour: Viru Bog and Jägala Waterfall

Lahemaa is the largest national park in Estonia. It lies just 60 km east of Tallinn, about a 40-minute drive. Founded in 1971, it was the first national park in the former USSR and covers more than 747 square kilometers. The park offers dense forests, a beautiful sea coast and unique bogs. This private day trip from Tallinn to Lahemaa National Park is ideal for families and small groups. The main highlight of this tour is Viru Bog with its wooden boardwalk and observation tower. The tour takes 3 to 5 hours depending on your wishes.

Viru Bog

Viru Bog, Viru raba in Estonian, is one of the main sights of Lahemaa. The main trail is 3.5 km long, and there is also a loop trail of 5.5 km. A short walk takes about an hour, while the long loop lets you go around the whole bog. The wooden boardwalk makes the walk safe and comfortable without harming nature. The trail leads through pine forest and open bog, where you can see the full variety of local plants.

Along the route there are information boards about the plants and animals of the bog, and an 11-meter observation tower offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. The trail is suitable for visitors of any age and fitness level, and the first 1.4 km are wheelchair accessible with an accompanying person.

Interesting Facts about Viru Bog

The bog began to form more than 5,000 years ago, and its peat layer is up to 6 meters thick.
Despite its dark color, the water in the bog pools is very clean thanks to the natural moss filter.
Cranes live in the bog, heather grows here, and in summer cottongrass blooms like a snow-white carpet.
Guides share local legends about the bog, which makes the walk a little mystical.
Swimming in bog pools in summer is an Estonian tradition, and the soft water of Viru Bog is well suited for it.

Winter Tour to Lahemaa: Viru Bog and the Frozen Jägala Waterfall

In winter Lahemaa looks completely different. Snow, the silence of the forest and frozen bog lakes make this trip especially atmospheric.

The winter route is easy to combine with a stop at Jägala Waterfall, which lies right on the way from Tallinn.

Jägala Waterfall on the Way to Lahemaa

Jägala Waterfall is about 25 km east of Tallinn, around a 30 minute drive. It is the widest natural waterfall in Estonia: about 8 metres high and more than 50 metres wide.

In frosty weather the water freezes into a glistening ice wall with huge icicles. Sometimes a real ice tunnel forms between the icicles and the rock face.

The waterfall is open to visitors all year round, day and night.

Viru Bog in Winter

The Viru Bog trail is open all year round. In winter the boardwalk and bog lakes are covered with snow, and the 11 metre observation tower offers a view over the snowy bog.

For active travellers, guided snowshoe hikes in Viru Bog are organised in Lahemaa and must be booked in advance.

Tips for a Winter Trip

Daylight is short in winter, so it is best to set off in the morning.

Bring warm clothes and shoes with non-slip soles, as the boardwalk and paths can be slippery in winter.

Between stops you warm up in a heated car while your driver waits for you at the car park.

Want to See More of Lahemaa

If you would like to see not only Viru Bog but also Jägala Waterfall, the captains' village of Käsmu and the Palmse, Sagadi and Vihula manors in one day, choose our Tallinn ↔ Vihula tour through Lahemaa National Park. You can also visit Palmse Manor separately on our Tallinn ↔ Palmse tour.

Why Choose a Lahemaa Tour with Artsantaxi

We offer a car with a private driver and, if you wish, a guide. The driver meets you at the agreed point: a specific address, the airport, the port, the bus station or the railway station. Our service works around the clock, so the tour can start at any time.

We have sedans for small groups and minivans for groups of up to 8 people, and for larger groups we offer buses. All vehicles pass regular technical inspections and are equipped with climate control, drinking water and wet wipes. Child seats are available, and the driver stops at gas stations at the request of passengers.