Soomaa National Park
Pärnumaa
Soomaa National Park, established in 1993 in southwestern Estonia, protects 390 square kilometers of diverse wetlands including raised bogs, floodplain grasslands, paludified forests, and meandering rivers. The park is famous for its characteristic spring floods, often called the 'fifth season', when rivers overflow and flood vast areas, creating a unique natural spectacle. It contains Europe's largest intact peat bog wilderness, featuring the notable Kuresoo Bog with an 8-meter steep slope. The park's landscape also includes the highest dunes on the Estonian mainland, such as the Ruunaraipe Dunes. Soomaa is a vital habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna, including over 200 plant species, rare birds like Bewick's swan and common crane, and large mammals such as elk, roe deer, brown bear, Eurasian lynx, and grey wolf. The park is an Important Bird Area, a Ramsar wetland site, and part of the Natura 2000 network. It also serves as a key research area for large carnivores and herbivores. Visitors can explore the park via its visitor center in Tipu village, which offers interactive exhibitions, nature education programs, and information about the park's natural and cultural heritage. Motorized vehicles are restricted to protect the fragile peat soils, encouraging sustainable tourism and wilderness preservation.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Soomaa National Park is during the spring floods, typically in late March or early April, to experience the unique 'fifth season'. It is advisable to check flood conditions and park regulations in advance. Tickets and guided nature programs can be arranged through the visitor center in Tipu village. Visitors should respect protected areas by staying on designated paths and avoiding motorized vehicles off roads. Discounts may be available for groups and educational visits. The visitor center provides WiFi and charging facilities for hikers on the Oandu-Aegviidu-Ikla trail.
Faits intéressants
- •Soomaa National Park is home to Europe's largest intact peat bog wilderness.
- •The park experiences a unique natural phenomenon called the 'fifth season', when spring floods can cover areas up to 7–8 km across.
- •Kuresoo Bog within the park has an 8-meter steep slope rising over 100 meters, one of the highest in Europe.
- •The Riisa flood area is the largest regularly flooded area in Estonia and Northern Europe, covering up to 175 square kilometers.
- •Soomaa supports important bird populations including more than 1% of the global populations of Bewick's swan and common crane.
- •The park hosts large mammals such as brown bear, Eurasian lynx, grey wolf, elk, and wild boar, some of which are rare elsewhere in Europe.
Histoire
Soomaa National Park was officially established on December 8, 1993, to protect the unique raised bogs, floodplain meadows, and forests of southwestern Estonia.
The name 'Soomaa', meaning 'land of bogs', was coined by academician Teodor Lippmaa to describe the region's extensive wetlands.
In 1989, the area was recognized as an Important Bird Area, followed by its designation as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1997.
In 2004, it became part of the Natura 2000 network, highlighting its ecological significance.
In 2009, Soomaa joined the PAN Parks network, acknowledging its excellence in wilderness conservation and sustainable tourism.
Guide du lieu
Visitor Center in Tipu Village1997 (established as visitor center)
The visitor center is located in a renovated main building of the former Kõrtsi-Tõramaa farm, surrounded by bogs, rivers, and floodplain forests. It offers interactive exhibitions like 'Haabjaga läbi Soomaa' showcasing the park's landscapes and habitats. The center provides nature education programs for all ages, seminar facilities, WiFi, and charging stations for hikers.
Kuresoo Bog
Kuresoo is the largest and one of the most ecologically valuable raised bogs in Estonia, featuring a steep southern slope that rises 8 meters over 100 meters, creating a distinctive landscape. It hosts a high diversity of plant species and serves as habitat for numerous bird species, including Eurasian whimbrel and golden eagle.
Riisa Flood Area
The Riisa flood area is the largest regularly flooded zone in Estonia and Northern Europe, covering up to 175 square kilometers during peak spring floods. It creates a vast temporary wetland where raised bogs appear as islands. This flooding phenomenon is central to the park's ecology and visitor experience.
Ruunaraipe DunesPost-glacial period (approx. 11,200–10,600 years ago)
Located on the eastern edge of the park, the Ruunaraipe Dunes are the highest dunes on mainland Estonia, reaching up to 12 meters in height. These dunes are remnants of ancient coastal formations from the Baltic Ice Lake era, about 11,000 years ago.
Contact
Téléphone: 506 1896