Meenikunno Bog

The Meenikunno Nature Park was formed in 1981 as a bog protection area with the aim of protecting the Meenikunno bog, Lakes Must and Valge bordering it to the eastand the undulating landscape around them.The nature park is in Veriora municipality on Ilumetsa forest district land. While marshes in Estonia generally formed when the thousands of lakes left by the lastice age became overgrown, Meenikunno mostly came about as a result of theswamping of the dry, sandy land, beginning in the boreal climatic period more than 8000 years ago. The bog’s peat layers are saturated with water with only a partial layerof sand beneath them, giving the impression of it "hanging in the air". What this meansis that the groundwater is deep and there is a dry layer under the bog. The process of forming the bog has lasted thousand of years and continues veryactively to this day, with hollows and 3 bog lakes having been produced, a bog pool inthe making, and large numbers of islands – the largest of which are Pikksaar and Pähklisaar. Local stories say that the Swedes built a wooden pathway through Meenikunno during the Northern War.

The landscape reserve comprises Meenikunno bog. A plain cabin for hikers, a place to make a camp fire and a lookout providing magnificient views of the bog have been built near the bog. A boarded path, which is 2.4 km long, leaves hikers’ feet dry in the bog. During the hike you get to know peculiar nature and can listen to the sounds of the bog. The hike will end at the Sunset loghouse, where you can light a camp fire, and upon reservation, stay overnight. From the balcony of the second floor of the house you can admire the marvellous sundown in the bog. Two lakes are situated next to each other in the landscape reserve: the waters of Lake Nohipalu Valgejärv are one of the most transparent in Estonia and in contrast to them the waters of Lake Nohipalu Mustjärv are among the darkest in Europe. Both lakes are good for fishing and bathing. It is possible to order trail rides to be organised in the nature reserve and its surroundings.