Soomaa National Park

Soomaa rahvuspark

A vast wilderness of raised bogs, floodplain forests and meandering rivers famous for its 'fifth season' when spring floods submerge the land. Visitors explore by canoe, dugout boat and bog-shoe hikes across ancient peatlands.

Things to do

• Canoe the flooded forests — Paddle through submerged floodplain woodlands during the famous 'fifth season' when spring meltwater drowns the land.
• Riisa Bog Trail boardwalk — Walk the popular 4.8 km boardwalk loop across the raised bog with viewing platforms over pools and stunted pines.
• Bog-shoe hike into the peatland — Strap on wide bog-shoes with a guide to trek off-trail across the quaking surface of the ancient mire.
• Build and paddle a haabjas dugout — Learn about the traditional single-log aspen dugout boat, a UNESCO-listed craft still used by locals on the rivers.
• Ingatsi study trail — Hike this 3.5 km trail to a small waterfall and across open bog with a lake-viewing tower.
• Beaver-watching by the rivers — Take an evening paddle on the Halliste or Raudna rivers to spot beavers, elk and abundant birdlife.
• Meiekose nature trail — Follow this short riverside trail past old farmsteads to a scenic rapid on the Lemmjõgi.

Food to try

• Black bread (must) — Dense dark rye sourdough bread is the Estonian staple, often served warm with butter at guesthouses.
• Smoked river fish — Locally caught pike, perch or bream smoked over alder wood, a specialty of these river communities.
• Mulgi puder — A hearty barley-and-potato mash from the neighbouring Mulgimaa region, traditionally served with fried pork and onions.
• Foraged bog berries — Cranberries and cloudberries gathered from the peatlands appear in jams, kissel and desserts in late summer.
• Kama — A roasted grain flour mixed with kefir or buttermilk, eaten as a traditional cooling snack.
• Farmhouse sauna meal — Many guesthouses pair a wood-fired sauna with a simple homemade spread of soup, bread and pickles.

Local customs & good to know

• Plan around the fifth season — The flooding usually peaks in late March and April, so check water levels before booking canoe trips as conditions vary yearly.
• Book guided tours in advance — Canoe, dugout and bog-shoe excursions require local guides and gear from operators like Soomaa.com, especially outside summer.
• Respect the fragile bog — Stay on boardwalks and marked trails as the peatland surface is easily damaged and can be dangerous underfoot.
• Sauna etiquette — A wood-fired sauna is a cherished ritual here, taken naked or with a towel and often followed by a plunge into the river.

Nearby

• Pärnu — 32 km
• Viljandi (Central Estonia) — 34 km
• Lottemaa Theme Park (Pärnu and the Southwest) — 42 km
• Paide (Central Estonia) — 56 km