Soomaa National Park, Estonia
| country: | Estonia |
| location: | Soomaa National Park |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Why should I visit?
Founded in 1933, Estonia's Soomaa National Park is best known for having five unique seasons. The fifth season being the high-water season. Located in Transitional Estonia, the Soomaa National Park was established to protect the many large raised bogs, flood plains, forests and meandering rivers. The land inside the park is mostly covered with large mires and is divided only by the four rivers (Navesti, Halliste, Raudna and Lemmjogi) of the Parnu River Basin.
Only after visiting this region can an outsider truly understand the so called "fifth season" and the importance the flooding rivers play in developing the area's natural beauty.
What can you do here?
The fifth season (coined by the locals) gives way to majestic flooding in the Soomaa National Park. The floods are essential for the continued develop-ment of the park's ancient bogs. An absolute must to visit is the Kuresoo Bog, one of the best surviving large bogs in all of Estonia. Almost 200 spe-cies call the bog home and its effect on the area is unparalleled.
In the winter there are snowshoe tours over the bogs and frozen rivers, while in the other seasons nighttime canoe tours are available. There is even a beaver safari available for outdoorsmen.
Local accommodations are plentiful in Vijandy and a "must do" is to eat traditional Estonian food served at Sookolli Soogituba (Ogre's Dining Room).
What makes Soomaa National Park special?
It is an ecosystem like no other. Surrounding the massive maze of bouncing bogs are magnificent meadows and forests. In June, the meadows are filled with Siberian Iris' and their radiant blue color. For wildlife enthusiasts, the region is home to over 185 different types of birds such as cranes and the Ural owl. In addition, carnivorous animals such as lynx, wolves and brown bears roam the lands.
The Soomaa also has played a key role in Estonia's history by sheltering many antagonists and freedom fighters. Some of the more famous Estonians to call the area home have been C.R. Jakobson, L. Koidula and M. Saar.
What makes it sustainable?
In an area that floods so heavily, the locals understand what life is like being cut off from the outside world. At times a 175-square kilometer region of the park can be flooded with water rising nearly a meter a day for 3-4 days straight. Roads are completely impassable during the fifth season.
The local municipalities value the isolation the flooding brings and have taken steep measures to protect the lands from intrusion. The types of spe-cies are monitored and water levels are recorded to see what effect the dif-ferent levels have on the ecosystem.
What should I look for in...
Spring: Retreating flood waters give way to blossoming flowers Summer: The Kuresoo Bog's thriving ecosystem Fall: Scores of wildlife preparing for the impending winter Winter: Snow covered land giving way to looming floods
Highlights of the Soomaa National Park:
The smell of wild orchids in the summer Drifting aimlessly down the river in a canoe Snowshoeing through powder filled meadows Bouncing on a bog
There is always a song to be sung in Viljandi. Music is a character shaping element of this Estonian Hanseatic town and its local habitants, which is the stimulus for recurring events, such as a unique puppet festival and several other authentic music and dance fiestas.
Founded in 1933, Estonia's Soomaa National Park is best known for having five unique seasons. The fifth season being the high-water season. Located in Transitional Estonia, the Soomaa National Park was established to protect the many large raised bogs, flood plains, forests and meandering rivers. The land inside the park is mostly covered with large mires and is divided only by the four rivers (Navesti, Halliste, Raudna and Lemmjogi) of the Parnu River Basin.
Only after visiting this region can an outsider truly understand the so called "fifth season" and the importance the flooding rivers play in developing the area's natural beauty.
What can you do here?
The fifth season (coined by the locals) gives way to majestic flooding in the Soomaa National Park. The floods are essential for the continued develop-ment of the park's ancient bogs. An absolute must to visit is the Kuresoo Bog, one of the best surviving large bogs in all of Estonia. Almost 200 spe-cies call the bog home and its effect on the area is unparalleled. In the winter there are snowshoe tours over the bogs and frozen rivers, while in the other seasons nighttime canoe tours are available. There is even a beaver safari available for outdoorsmen.
Local accommodations are plentiful in Vijandy and a "must do" is to eat traditional Estonian food served at Sookolli Soogituba (Ogre's Dining Room).
What makes Soomaa National Park special?
It is an ecosystem like no other. Surrounding the massive maze of bouncing bogs are magnificent meadows and forests. In June, the meadows are filled with Siberian Iris' and their radiant blue color. For wildlife enthusiasts, the region is home to over 185 different types of birds such as cranes and the Ural owl. In addition, carnivorous animals such as lynx, wolves and brown bears roam the lands.
The Soomaa also has played a key role in Estonia's history by sheltering many antagonists and freedom fighters. Some of the more famous Estonians to call the area home have been C.R. Jakobson, L. Koidula and M. Saar.
What makes it sustainable?
In an area that floods so heavily, the locals understand what life is like being cut off from the outside world. At times a 175-square kilometer region of the park can be flooded with water rising nearly a meter a day for 3-4 days straight. Roads are completely impassable during the fifth season.
The local municipalities value the isolation the flooding brings and have taken steep measures to protect the lands from intrusion. The types of spe-cies are monitored and water levels are recorded to see what effect the dif-ferent levels have on the ecosystem.
What should I look for in...
Highlights of the Soomaa National Park: other EDEN destinations in Estonia
Viljandi (2008)There is always a song to be sung in Viljandi. Music is a character shaping element of this Estonian Hanseatic town and its local habitants, which is the stimulus for recurring events, such as a unique puppet festival and several other authentic music and dance fiestas.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach somewhere in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainability. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's creatures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
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