Selisoo Hiking Trail
Seli bog is an established bog with its characteristic stunted pines, hollows and well-developed pools. The numerous bog pools of Seli make it one of the more beautiful bogs of Virumaa County.
Hiking Trail Description
The Seli trail follows a board walkway.
Camping is possible at the beginning or end of the trail with fireplace areas for picnics. A bird watching tower and trail shelter are located on Seli Lake.
The hike can be started from Milloja settling pool or from Metsküla village.
Trail length:
From Milloja settling pool to Kõrve farm - 4 km
From Milloja settling pool to Picnic area - 0,5 km
From Picnic area to Bird watching tower - 2 km
From Bird watching lower to Korve farm - 1,5 km
From Kõrve farm to Rabamaa Educational and Tourist Centre 400-600 m
Site descriptions
1. Milloja settling pool.
Dependent upon season and precipitation, 12 - 25000 m3 of water is pumped to the surface each day from the Estonia mines.
2. Bog ridge.
On Seli trail the transition to the bog ridge is quite noticeable. The ridge is rather steep with a taller pine forest.
3. Pine.
The Pine is the most common tree in Estonia, due to its adaptable nature it grows in sand as well as in bogs and swamps.
4. Bog pool.
The trail passes by numerous bog pools. The edges are generally quite abrupt and with a depth of 3 m.
 5. Peat moss is the king of the wetlands;
water makes up about 9/10 of it weight.
6. Marsh andromeda - "bog key" is of great help.
By following the spots where this plant grows it is possible to return from cranberry picking with dry feet.
7. Seli Lake is gradually perishing.
The terrestrialization of the lake is advanced by humus producing water plants.
The lake is a stopping ground for various migratory water birds. There is a tower for bird watching by the lake.
8. Heather.
Clumps of evergreen heather cover the banks of Seli Lake. It is a good nectar plant producing 200 kg of honey per hectare.
9. Mosses.
A mosaic of grey tones can be observed on the tree trunks along the trail.
10. Bog pines.
Stunted and twisted pines grow on the bog pool islands and peat hummocks. Their roots generally reach a depth of only 20 em.
11. Hollows.
A stage in the terrestrialization of a bog poolis the hollow. It is characterized by a muddy surface and light yellowish colour of sphagnum moss. Cotton-grass, mud sedge, white beak sedge and sundew are common plants here.
12. The Sundew is an insectivorous plant.
This unique plant was believed to have magic powers and a life elixir was prepared from it. The plant is poisonous.
13. The cranberry keeps under the snow till spring. In the spring they taste especially good, with less acids and more sugar than in the fall.
 HAPPY TRAILS!
Project supporters:
- EAS Programm for the Areas of Industrial Structuring www.erda.ee
- Mäetaguse Parish Government
Project performer:
- Alutaguse Hiking Club
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