The most beautiful autumn trails in Estonia: 20 hiking trails

1. Viru Bog nature trail – an autumn classic in Lahemaa

Viru Bog is one of Estonia’s best-known nature trails for good reason. In autumn, the bog plants turn copper-red and golden, while the dark pools reflect the clouds and colorful bog pines.

Raja keskel asub 11,4 meetri kõrgune vaatetorn. Umbes 1,3 km stretch from the car park to the tower is also suitable for people using a wheelchair or pushing a stroller, provided they have an assistant. Beyond the observation tower, the boardwalk becomes narrower.

Why visit in autumn? Early-morning mist, low sunlight, colorful bog vegetation and the panorama from the observation tower make Viru Bog one of Estonia’s most photogenic autumn destinations.

Official information: RMK Viru Bog nature trail →

2. Keila-Joa Park nature trail – a waterfall, manor and golden park

If you’d like to see a real autumnal deciduous forest instead of bog landscapes, head to Keila-Joa. The circular trail follows the Keila River, passes through an old manor park and crosses suspension bridges.

The main attraction is, of course, Keila Waterfall. In autumn, when there may be more water in the river after rainy spells and the park turns yellow and red, this is one of the most spectacular short walks near Tallinn.

Official information: RMK Keila-Joa Park Nature Trail →

3. Majakivi–Pikanõmme Hiking Trail – bog, dunes and a giant erratic boulder

The Majakivi–Pikanõmme Trail is one of the best choices if Viru Bog is starting to feel too familiar. Here, dry pine forests alternate with sand dunes, old beach ridges and boggy areas.

One of the trail’s biggest attractions is Majakivi, considered Estonia’s third-largest erratic boulder. Another notable stop is the Pikanõmme observation tower, which offers views of Aabla Bog and the forests of the Juminda Peninsula.

Autumn’s trump card: in a single outing, you can see golden forest, sandy hillocks and reddish-brown bog landscapes all at once.

Trail information: Visit Harju →

4. Paukjärve Nature Trail – lakes in the heart of the Kõrvemaa forests

The Paukjärve Trail is different from classic bog trails. Here, you’ll find forested eskers, valleys, different types of forest and picturesque forest lakes.

The trail starts and ends at the Kaksiksilla car park, and there is also an observation tower along the route. Autumn is especially beautiful when yellow birches and dark green pines are reflected on the lake’s surface.

Official information: RMK Paukjärve Nature Trail →

5. Kakerdaja Nature Trail – one of the most beautiful bogs in Kõrvemaa

Kakerdaja is one of those places where autumn is especially striking. The boardwalk runs through a vast bog, passing bog pools and the Lake Kakerdi area.

The trail can be completed in different sections. Bog enthusiasts can choose a boardwalk section about 4 km long through Kakerdaja Bog, while the Kalajärved area offers a loop of approximately 3 km.

Official information: RMK Kakerdaja Nature Trail →

6. Mukri Nature Trail – a short trail with lots to see

Mukri is a good example of how you don't need to walk ten kilometres to have a great experience. The trail runs through Mukri Bog and passes many bog pools and bog lakes.

One of the trail's strongest points is the observation tower, which offers a sweeping view of the entire bog landscape. In autumn, Mukri becomes especially vibrant: dark bog pools, reddish-brown ground, and yellow birch trees make for a very photogenic combination.

Official information: RMK Mukri Nature Trail →

7. Käsmu Hiking Trail – forest and sea on one trail

Käsmu is not a classic bog hike. The trail loops around the Käsmu Peninsula, and about 10 kilometers of it runs close to the sea.

Along the way, you will encounter pine forests, large erratic boulders, rocky shores, and quiet coves. The combination of a stormier autumn sea and colorful coastal forest makes Käsmu one of the most distinctive autumn trails in Estonia.

15 km loop starts near the Käsmu cemetery and chapel. If the full-length trail seems too long, you can also choose the shorter umbes 4,2 km nature and cultural history trail in Käsmu.

Official information: RMK Käsmu Hiking Trail →

8. Uljaste Hiking Trail – lake, esker, and old-growth forest

Uljaste is a good choice for those who want to see an autumn lake, forest, and esker landscape instead of bogs. The trail introduces visitors to Lake Uljaste, the bog, old-growth forest, and the Uljaste esker.

In autumn, it is worth taking your time here: the lake water, tall pines, and colorful deciduous trees give the area a very peaceful atmosphere.

Official information: RMK Uljaste Hiking Trail →

9. Männikjärve Bog Study Trail – over a hundred pools

Männikjärve Bog is part of Endla Nature Reserve, and from its 7-meter-high observation tower you can see the entire 210-hectare bog.

According to RMK, there are over 120 pools in Männikjärve Bog. This makes the view especially striking in autumn, when the bog islands and vegetation between the pools turn red, brown, and gold.

Official information: RMK Männikjärve Bog Study Trail →

10. Taevaskoja Hiking Trail – autumn in the ancient valley of the Ahja River

When the bogs turn red in autumn, Taevaskoda turns golden. The combination of the Ahja River, tall sandstone outcrops, and colourful forests makes it one of the most spectacular autumn destinations in southern Estonia.

The loop trail includes Suur Taevaskoda and Väike Taevaskoda, springs, caves, and the Ahja River. Part of the trail is also suitable for visitors with reduced mobility, and it is possible to reach Suur Taevaskoda by wheelchair by following the appropriate directions.

Official information: RMK Taevaskoda Hiking Trail →

11. Meenikunno Hiking Trail – a lake in the middle of an autumn bog forest

Meenikunno matkarada moodustab 5,8 km pikkuse ringi. Umbes 2,4 km kulgeb laudteel ja 3,4 km on the forest trail.

The trail’s great strength is its changing landscapes. You don’t walk through open bog the whole time here—the boardwalk, forest, lakes and bog vegetation keep alternating. This makes Meenikunno a very good choice in October, when the forest is already yellow but the bog itself is reddish-brown.

Official information: RMK Meenikunno hiking trail →

12. Pühajärv Hiking Trail – one of the best autumn loops in South Estonia

If you want to see a classic South Estonian autumn, the area around Pühajärv is one of the best choices. The circular trail goes around the lake through forests and rolling hill country.

Along the route are Pühajärv, Armuallikas, the source of the Väike Emajõgi, Koolirand, Murrumets, the Pühajärv War Oak and the War Oak Grove.

14 km means you should set aside several hours for this. It is precisely because of the longer hike that Pühajärv is well suited to those who are not looking only for a short boardwalk stroll.

Official information: RMK Pühajärv Hiking Trail →

13. Ööbikuoru Short Hiking Trail – 450 metres that don’t feel too short

Ööbikuoru Trail is the shortest on this list, but it is definitely worth including in autumn.

The trail runs along stairs and footbridges through a short ravine, or tsori, that leads into the Rõuge Primeval Valley. From the trail, you can see Ööbikuorg and Linnamägi, and the Ööbikuoru hydroelectric workshop is also nearby.

It is at its most beautiful here when the deciduous trees on the steep slopes have turned yellow and orange.

Official information: RMK Ööbikuoru Short Hiking Trail →

14. Õisu Hiking Trail – Mulgimaa Taevaskoda

Õisu is one of the less obvious but very good choices on this list. The trail runs through the Õisu Landscape Protection Area, between the river valley and the forest.

In autumn, flowing water, varied terrain and a deep valley give the colorful forest much more character than an ordinary flat forest trail.

Official information: RMK Õisu Hiking Trail →

15. Hüpassaare Nature Trail – the silence of Kuresoo

Hüpassaare takes hikers through a drained mire forest to the edge of Kuresoo. Kuresoo is Estonia’s largest bog massif, where pools, wet hollows, bog islands and tall pines alternate.

The place also has a strong cultural connection to composer Mart Saar, who drew inspiration for his work from this very landscape.

Official information: RMK Hüpassaare Nature Trail →

16. Ingatsi Nature Trail – up to the Kuresoo bog

The Ingatsi trail starts in the forest and reaches the Kuresoo bog. The first section passes through a wet swamp forest dominated by water-loving black alders.

One of the trail’s distinctive features is a high bog slope. After climbing it, hikers arrive at the open bog landscape of Kuresoo. There is also an observation tower on the trail.

In autumn, the contrast between the dark, wet forest and the vast golden-red bog landscape is especially striking.

Official information: RMK Ingatsi Study Trail →

17. Riisa Nature Trail – a classic, easy route in Soomaa

The Riisa trail runs through a picturesque bog and the forests around the Navesti River. You can see both open bog landscapes and wetter, more wooded nature.

Riisa is a good choice for those who want to explore Soomaa without taking a very long or difficult hike. In autumn, the area around the boardwalk is especially colourful, and the open bog is a great place to observe how the light changes throughout the day.

Official information: RMK Riisa Nature Trail →

18. Rannametsa–Tolkuse Nature Trail – bog and sea from a single observation tower

Tolkuse Trail is one of Estonia’s most distinctive trails, where dunes, pine forest and bog come together.

The 2,2-km circular trail is covered with a boardwalk ning tõuseb Tornimäele. Seal asub 21,57-metre-high observation tower offers views of the Häädemeeste coastal meadows and Pärnu Bay on one side, and Tolkuse Bog on the other.

It’s a great place to enjoy as many different views as possible on a relatively short hike.

Official information: RMK Rannametsa–Tolkuse Study Trail →

19. Marimetsa Hiking Trail – a long boardwalk and true bog tranquillity

Marimetsa starts in woodland and meadow, continues through a spruce forest along Marimetsa Stream, and only then reaches the bog.

The boardwalk passes through fen, transitional mire and raised bog kuni laugasteni. Raja lõpus asub 7,6-metre-high observation tower offers a sweeping view of Marimetsa Bog.

In autumn, this is a great alternative to the more famous bogs for those looking for a hike where you actually have to walk a little to reach your destination.

Official information: RMK Marimetsa Hiking Trail →

20. Koigi Study Trail – a Saaremaa bog

Saaremaa is about more than just the sea, junipers and coastal cliffs. Koigi Study Trail is in Saaremaa’s largest bog and is one of the island’s most special places to visit in autumn.

The trail winds through the bog around Pikkjärv. Along the way, there is a boardwalk, bridges, viewing platforms and a 9-metre-high observation tower.

Most people visit Saaremaa in summer, but Koigi is a good reason to come to the island in autumn too—the bog landscape is more peaceful, and the autumn colours give it a completely different look.

Official information: RMK Koigi Study Trail →

When are Estonia’s hiking trails at their most beautiful in autumn?

It is impossible to predict the exact week in advance, as the peak of autumn colours depends on the temperature, rain and wind. The stronger autumn colours usually start appearing in Estonia in the second half of September, and the end of September and the first half of October often bring the greatest range of colours at once.

In bogs, the colours last longer. Even when the trees have already lost most of their leaves, peat mosses, heather and other bog vegetation can be shades of red, orange and brown.

Early morning is especially lovely in bogs. Mist, reflections in the bog pools and the low autumn sun can make the same trail look completely different from how it does at midday.

Which autumn trail should you choose?

For a walk with children or a shorter stroll Viru Bog, Keila-Joa, Mukri, Taevaskoda, Riisa, Ööbikuorg and Rannametsa–Tolkuse are all good choices.

For the strongest bog experience choose Kakerdaja, Mukri, Marimetsa, Hüpassaare, Ingatsi, Männikjärve and Koigi.

For a longer day hike choose Käsmu, Pühajärve or Marimetsa.

For forest and autumn colours consider Pühajärve, Õisu, Taevaskoda, Paukjärve and Keila-Joa.

For a combination of sea and nature Käsmu is one of the most interesting options.

What should you bring on an autumn hike?

An autumn hiking trail can be much more slippery than in summer. Boardwalks become covered with wet leaves and moisture, and after a prolonged rainy spell, forest trails may be muddy or partly flooded.

It is worth bringing waterproof or water-resistant footwear, layered clothing, a rain poncho and drinking water, as well as something to eat for a longer hike. Since the days are shorter, it is worth setting off early for longer trails.

Especially in protected areas, always check RMK’s latest information before setting off. Trail conditions may change because of storms, flooding, reconstruction or other temporary restrictions.

The most important thing, however, is not to rush. Estonia’s autumn nature does not always call for a long hike—sometimes a couple of kilometres, a thermos of a hot drink and a well-timed stop are enough to see a familiar place in a completely new light.

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