Location: Viljandi County Map
Area: 359 km2 (139 sq mi)
Official site
Soomaa National Park was established on December 8, 1993 to
protect the swamps, floodplain meadows and forests of the
southwestern part of Central Estonia. The national park (with an
area of 398 km²) consists of five swamps. Being located on the
border of Lower and Upper Estonia - on the western slope of the
Sakala upland and the Pärnu lowland - in the Navesti, Halliste and
Raudna river basins, Soomaa still remains in Lower Estonia.
The name Soomaa comes from the academician Teodor Lippmaa, who used
this name for the marshes on the border of South-West and Central
Estonia.
There are five bogs in the territory of Soomaa National Park:
Valgeraba, Öördi bog, Riisa bog, Kikepera bog and Kuresoo bog.
Kuresoo, which forms the main part of Soomaa, is also the largest bog in
Estonia. Kuresoo consists of three parts: Smokesna, Leetva and Toonoja
bogs.
Next.svg More in the article Soomaa suurvesi
One of the most
well-known attractions in Soomaa is the so-called fifth season -
suurvesi. Floods usually occur in the spring during sudden snowmelt and
freezing. The snow waters of the Sakala highlands, which flow into
Soomaa via larger rivers, cannot fit in the river beds and flood the low
plains. Only through the Halliste river can the water move.
Soomaa has almost 540 species of vascular plants, over 200 species of bryophytes and over 360 species of fungi. There are at least 29 protected species.
The following mammals with high conservation value have been found in
the area: wolf (Canis lupus), European flying squirrel (Pteromys
volans), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), otter (Lutra lutra), brown bear
(Ursus arctos) and the European beaver (Castor fiber).
avifauna
Among the birds recorded in the National Park, the following species are
of particular importance: the great snipe (Gallinago media), kingfisher
(Alcedo atthis), whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), golden plover (Pluvialis
apricaria), corncrake (Crex crex), golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos),
Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Wood
Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga),
Merlin (Falco columbarius), Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus), Lesser
Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) and Red Grouse (Lagopus). lagopus).
fish
The water surfaces and interconnected water systems
represent an ideal and important habitat for the pike (Esox lucius).
Shellfish
The river mussel (Unio crassus) has been found in
streams and rivers and is an internationally endangered species that is
under special protection.
The visitor center of Soomaa National Park is located in Tipu village. Since 1997, the NGO Soomaa Sõprade Selts has been operating to support the balanced development of the national park.