Located in Soomaa national park, Öördi bog holds the memory of a larger lake that once stood there. A short bumpy forest path lined with cranberries, blueberries and height-challenged trees leads to a beautiful clearing in which the remnant lake lies.
Near the lake a musty but refreshing smell of peat moss, moving water and sun-stroked earth fills your lungs, prompting you to, just for a second, stop, close your eyes and draw in the thick forest air.
Dark peat moss lining the lake bed has made the sun pay extra attention to this small lake. The water was warm, almost soup-like. This usually leads to the growth of algae, but not here. Fresh springs, flow-through and the peat itself all contribute to keeping the lake free of algae.
Time for a swim.