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Soomaa National Park

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Practical info — Soomaa National Park

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

The 'fifth season' usually occurs in late March or April; the only way to get around during this time is by canoe.
Always stay on the wooden boardwalks in the bog areas to protect the fragile moss and avoid sinking.
Bring strong insect repellent if visiting in summer, as the wetlands are full of mosquitoes.
Look out for traditional 'haabjas' (dugout canoes); booking a guided tour in one is highly recommended.

🍽 Food

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Cloudberries and cranberries

Forage them yourself in late summer or try local preserves sold at guesthouses.

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Wild mushroom soup

A staple in the region; look for it in local farm stays or the visitor center cafe.

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Smoked fish

Often available at local homesteads offering accommodation along the rivers.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Wooden handicrafts

Small carved items and souvenirs are available at the main visitor center.

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Local honey

Buy directly from local beekeepers or at small roadside stalls in the national park villages.

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Riisa Bog Trail

Come here at sunrise for a magical, misty atmosphere with very few other hikers.

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Kuresoo Bog observation tower

Provides vast, uninterrupted views of the wetlands, great for birdwatching in silence.

Soomaa National Park, literally 'land of bogs', is situated in southwestern Estonia. It is celebrated for its pristine raised bogs and floodplain forests. The park's most unique feature is the 'fifth season', the annual spring flood where melting snow causes rivers to overflow, submerging much of the landscape. During this time, the park is best explored by water. The traditional dugout canoe, or 'haabjas', is a centerpiece of local culture and is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Heritage list. Visitors can walk along beautiful bog trails like the Riisa boardwalk or join guided canoe trips to spot beavers and migratory birds. Soomaa is a haven for ecotourists and those seeking true wilderness and silence. It is most accessible from the cities of Pärnu or Viljandi. Spring is the highlight for the flood experience, while late summer is excellent for hiking and berry picking in the bogs.