Information about hiking trails is allso given by State Forest Management Centre (RMK). Before your go hiking, please contact RMK to register you visit. Contact: Eerika Purgel, eerika.purgel@rmk.ee, Phone +372 5067248.


Nature

Bogs. There are eight bog complexes separated by rivers, boggy forests and Lake Endla. The most representative domed bogs with scenic bog pool systems are found in the eastern part of the reserve. The largest are the Linnusaare Bog (1200 ha) and Toodiksaare Bog (1100 ha). In the Männikjärve Bog close to the Centre of the reserve the planking path and viewing platform are constructed for visitors. Sphagnum mosses dominate in the bog creating an environment that is poor in nutrients and therefore only about twenty species of vascular plants (among them Leather leaf Chamaedaphne calyculata, Heather Calluna vulgaris, Marsh andromeda Andromeda polifolia, sundews etc.) can survive. The plant communities are mosaic as higher hummocks and ridges interplace with low watery hollows and bog pools.

Springs. The western part of the nature reserve is remarkable for the number and size of its springs. The water originates from the Pandivere Upland, where creviced karsted limestone lay under thin surface. The springs (over thirty) are grouped together. The Võlingi and Oostriku springs are among those of the highest flow rate in Estonia. The deep funnels of picturesque Vilbaste springs can be found by the Võlingi Stream. The Sopa Spring with its 4.8-metre depth is the deepest. The temperature of the refreshing spring water is between two to eight degrees Celsius all year round.

Lakes. Six lakes are remnants of the ancient Great Endla that are very slowly dying out today. Extensive reed-beds cover the lakes Endla and Sinijärv, quagmires surround Tulijärv, Kaasikjärv and partly Männikjärv.

Birds. The bird fauna includes 182 species, 153 of them are breeding birds.
Lake Endla is one of the richest bird lakes in Estonia. Ducks, terns, seagulls, grebes, cranes, harriers, and lot of other birds nest in reed-beds and floating islands. In spring and autumn migration period, large flocks of geese and swans stop in Lake Endla and Sinijärv. Capercaillie lives in old pine forests. The Black Grouse and Hazel Grouse are quite common.
If lucky, four different species of eagles (Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Osprey) can be observed within a day.

Plants. 461 species of vascular plants and 165 of moss species (among them 25 Sphagnum species) have been noted. 
34 vascular plant species are listed as protected, among them 19 species of wild orchids.Most noteworthy are rare and endangered Lady´s Slipper, Lesser Twayblade, Fragrant Orchid, White Adder´s Mouth, Coralroot Orchid, Arctic Bramble.


Hiking routes

A network of partly overlaping hiking routes introducing bog, lake and forest ecosystems of the eastern part of the reserve takes the beginning at Tooma.
Booklets with maps and explanations are available in the Centre of the nature reserve.

Männikjärve Bog rout
Tooma - Männikjärve Bog - Tooma (5 km, 1,5 - 2 hours)
The 1.3-kilometre-long planking path leads over the bog, lookout tower offers a beatiful view of bog landscape.

Lake Endla rout
Tooma - Kaasikjärve Bog - Lake Endla - Männikjärve Bog - Tooma (11 km, 4-5 hours)
The rout leads the hiker across the bogs and through wet forests to Lake Endla. From watching tower (15 m) one can see the lake and the landscape of the Kaasikjärve Bog.
NB! During the floods some parts of the trail can be really wet and hard to pass through.

The springs of the western part of the reserve can be approached through Koeru or Tapiku village. Moving along the Norra-Jõeküla road special signs help to find the paths leading to springs.