Soomaa NP is home to a raised bog complex, which is valued to be one of the best preserved bogs in Estonia and also in Europe. The largest of the Soomaa bogs, Kuresoo, is designated as the wilderness zone of Soomaa NP.
Soomaa National Park
Exploring the ’Land of Bogs,’ - Soomaa is a truly special experience
Water is all over in Soomaa National Park - offering extraordinary views in many different ways: mist over the bog fields early in the morning, water until the eye can see in the flood season, picturesque forests surrounded by water on the floodplains, meandering rivers criss-crossing the landscape. And all this is there be explored in funny and special ways such as walking on water that is snowshoeing on bogs in any season, canoeing in traditional dugout canoes or exploring the park’s wilderness from special boardwalks. As scarcely inhabited by people, Soomaa leaves today space for wildlife: in early spring and late autumn the call of wolves is rather a regular sound to be heard and there is chance to track its rich wildlife throughout the year incuding beaver, lynx, elk or wolf.
Experience Soomaa’s wilderness in dugout canoes
Snowshoe on bogs throughout the year
Go on beaver safaris
Estonian Soomaa’s freshwater wilderness boasts the largest raised bog complex in Europe. They even have a ’fifth season’ – as claimed by locals – when naturally meandering rivers create drastic floods changing the landscape.
Flora
In Soomaa altogether 537 species of vascular plants have been identified, among these 29 are protected by Estonian law. The most impressive highlights among the plants in Soomaa are Siberian Iris and wild gladiolus on floodplains. In Soomaa also more than 360 species of fungi have been found.
Fauna
185 species of birds have been recorded in Soomaa, among these 150 are breeders. Among rare and endangered species the most impressive species that live in Soomaa are black grouse, willow grouse, golden eagle, black stork, lesser spotted eagle and great snipe. The bogs in Soomaa are one of the most important habitats for golden plovers, whimbrel and other waders. In the edges of the bogs breed Capercaillie and further into the forest Soomaa offers home for several woodpecker species, owls and many others. On the floodplains one can hear calling corn crakes and great snipes. During migration season the bogs are a staging site for geese and swans.
There are 43 mammals known to be living in Soomaa National Park. Roe deers are easily spotted alongside the roads, with a bit more luck one can encounter elk or wild boar. The large carnivores inhabiting Soomaa - lynx, wolf and bear are timid and for most of the people only tracks they leave behind refer to the fact that these species feel rather good in Soomaa.
What to see
Largest natural raised bogs in Europe
Flood season
The flood is called the fifth season in Soomaa. During the periods of heavy rain or melting of snow, when large amounts of water run down the Sakala Upland through the rivers of Soomaa, the riverbeds just can't manage to contain it all. The water flows over flood plains, but also over villages and roads connecting them. In some years the spring floods have risen the water level by a meter a day for 3–4 days. The Riisa flood area covering 175 square kilometres at its largest, is the biggest flood area in Estonia. Steep-sloped, raised bogs stand as islands in the water.
Riverine landscapes
The naturally meandering rivers and floodplain forests and meadows are worth to be explored also whilst there's no flood. While the bogs might be considered poor in biodiversity, as only specialist species live in this habitat poor in nutrients, then the floodplains are very rich in biodiversity.
Living together with wilderness
The small community living within the national park knows how to live together with wilderness. Cut off from the rest of the world during floods the people have been forced to keep their traditional skills. So the few people who live in the villages in the national park still bake their own bread, they have cattle and other livestock. Also the tradition of carving boats from aspen tree logs has been kept live here, so that at present day also tourists can experience trips on log-boats on the river or even participate in a workshop where such boats are made.
Villages surrounding Soomaa National Park
The villages around Soomaa have surprising heritage. Here you can find Kõpu manorhouse with replicas of famous frescoes from Villa Cicero in Pompeii. One of the higlights is surely Tori horse farm - one of the oldest horsebreeding farms in northern Europe that has been founded to breed and protect special tori heavy-weight horses that have been bred from the Estonian aboriginal horse. Another thing that one can’t miss around midsummer is the Suure-Jaani music festival when also concerts are organised in wilderness.
The closest towns around Soomaa NP are Pärnu and Viljandi
Pärnu is a resort in western Estonia with well-established traditions that has held the title of summer capital and heart-warming town for over ten years. During the sunny summer period, the beautiful, sandy beaches that invite both baskers and bathers become the heart of Pärnu. Pärnu is also a former Hanseatic town and will host the 30th International Hanseatic Days medieval festival in 2010.
Viljandi is an ancient town situated on a hill by a beautiful lake. Green parks, old wooden houses, monuments and small art galleries allow for pleasant walks in town. Summer in Viljandi culminates with the annual folk music festival, which brings friends of folk music to town from all over the world. The town has the honour of being the home of Estonian folk music, and the former manor ham located at the foot of Viljandi castle hills is renovated into the building of the Estonian Traditional Music Center.
What to do
Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Soomaa is challenging. This is not a site to get high number of species in short time, but here it is possible to see different rare and endangered species in their natural breeding environment. Highlights: different woodpeckers, capercaillie, golden eagle, black stork, great snipe, lesser spotted eagle.
Animal tracking
As scarcely inhabited by people, Soomaa leaves today space for all typical boreal mammals. European beaver, lynx, elk or wolf are the typical animals for Soomaa. You can trace them throughout the year. Rich wildlife is especially exciting in winter, when ice covered landscape opens up leading you to areas, where disturbance could occur in summer. In early spring and late autumn the call of wolves is rather a regular sound to be heard in Soomaa.
Canoeing
Rivers have been filling the role of roads in Soomaa through centuries - its the best way of exploring the national park also today - on log boat, canoe or a kayak. Rivers of Soomaa are interesting to explore - the water of soomaa rivers does not run too fast, so one can get to know the surroundings - find the trails of the beavers or other wildlife, see the remains of former settlements or if you're lucky and happen to Soomaa during floods, paddle to the forest or over the meadows.
Sauna
Heat up in a sauna and cool off in a river or snow - depending on the season.
Wintertime
When in Soomaa during wintertime one can experience kick-sledging or cross country skiing. Sudden cold during flood season offers perfect skating fields.
Snowshoeing over bogs
Estonians have a tradition of using snowshoes year around. It doesn't mean we have snow all year around, just we have a lot of wetlands, where it's easier to walk on snowshoes. In bogs snowshoes make it bossible to access parts of bogs that otherwise people could never see - hollows.
Adventure tips
PAN Parks offer a wide variety of wilderness experiences. We collected those adventures that help you best experience PAN Parks wilderness.
Bog walking
Experience wilderness using bog shoes (snowshoes). Quite an experience to walk on water in the open endless bog fields.
Local partner offering an activity related to this adventure:
soomaa.com
Discover the land of the bogs on boardwalks
Hike on boardwalks, special trails to discover wilderness in Soomaa’s Kuresoo bogs. You start in old-growth forests to reach the endless bogland which you should explore walking on the boardwalks for both safety and conservation reasons.
Track animals
European beaver, lynx, elk or wolf are the most typical animals for Soomaa and you can track them throughout the year. Rich wildlife is especially exciting in winter, when ice covered landscape opens up leading you to areas, where disturbance could occur in summer. In early spring and late autumn the call of wolves is rather a regular sound to be heard in Soomaa.
Local partner offering an activity related to this adventure:
soomaa.com – beaver safari
‘Fifth season’ – experience the forces of nature
People living around Soomaa have a so-called ‘fifth season’ when the landscape is flooded by the wild meandering rivers. In this period of spring the only way to get around is in a canoe or boat. A real adventure – special time to visit the Estonian national park.
Climate
Considering its climatic conditions, Soomaa constitutes a transition region between an area directly influenced by the sea (Baltic Sea climatic region) and the region of Southern Estonian plains (Inner-Estonian climatic region). The annual average temperature in Soomaa is +4,5°C to +5°C, in July +16,6°C and in February -6,6°C. The average annual precipitation 670 mm.
What to bring
One can experience Soomaa also on high heels, as many of the trails and sites are accessible without no special gear but we recommend sensible outdoor gear depending on the season to fully enjoy Soomaa. If you plan to take part in different organised tours, be sure to ask your tour provider what to bring. If allergic to mosquitoes (horseflies etc.) be sure to carry repellent and your medicines.
Maps
Regio Road Atlas 1:1 000 000
Regio online map : http://kaart.otsing.delfi.ee/
For more detailled maps, ask at Soomaa NP visitor centre.
How to get there
By air
Tallin, Tartu in Estonia and Riga in Latvia are the closest airports. From there you can take a rental car or go by bus.
By bus
Closest point to get to Soomaa with public transport is Pärnu - located 45 km from the park visitor centre - here you will find several buses departing torwards the national park region daily - www.peatus.ee : departure from Pärnu destignations Tori, Jõesuu and Riisa
By car
From Tallinn: via Baltica / E4 to the direction of Pärnu and Tori village 132 km ( Tori village )
From Tartu and Viljandi: E92 / to the direction of Kõpu village 97 km / 20 km ( Kõpu village )
From Riga, Latvia: via Baltica / E4 to the direction of Pärnu Estonia 184 km
Entrance/access points
From Pänu: Tori village is located in Pärnu county, 20 km away from the national park visitor centre. Tori has good public transport connections and all primary services needed for a visit to the park.
From Tartu and Viljandi: Kõpu village, located in Viljandi county 24 km away from the national park visitor centre, is the southern gate for Soomaa. Kõpu village provides all primary services needed and public transport connections to Viljandi, but has relatively poor direct access to the park
Visitor Centre
Soomaa National Park Visitor Centre is located in the middle of the park, 45 km away from Pärnu and Viljandi towns. The aim of the Visitor Centre is to give information about the national park and its values. They have printed information as well as media guides, films and small public library.
National park centre is open all year long: in winter between 10am – 4pm and in summer from 10am – 6pm
phone: +372 43 57164 / +372 52 61 924
e-mail: soomaa [dot] teabepunkt [at] rmk [dot] ee
web: www.soomaa.ee
Park Facilities
- 8 nature trails for different landscapes (1- 5 km in length)
- 1 hiking trail (21 km)
Rescue service
To get in contact with rescue in case of emergencies in the national park call 112
Overnight stays in the park
- 2 cottages to stay overnight
- 1 cottage to stay overnight – available for fee (with sauna)
- 10 public campingsites
Rules
Guide of conduct is available at the Soomaa webpage. Ask for more information at the Soomaa visitor centre.
2011:09:07 22:10:40
Country:
Estonia
Location:
The Soomaa National Park lies in the South-Western part of Estonia in the forest-rich zone of transitional Estonia.
Area:
39,640 ha
Wilderness area:
11,000 ha (28.20% of total area)
Number of visitors per year:
Website:
designed by