Soomaa National Park

Soomaa National Park, located in southwestern Estonia, is one of the country's most unique natural environments. Covering around 390 square kilometers, this wilderness area is famously known for its "fifth season" - a flooding period when the park's rivers overflow and transform forests and meadows into a massive water landscape, making it only accessible by canoe or boat.

The park consists of large raised bogs, floodplain grasslands, and forests that provide habitat for numerous species including elk, deer, wolves, lynx, and over 180 bird species. These pristine wetland ecosystems have remained largely untouched for thousands of years, offering visitors a glimpse into Estonia's primeval landscapes.

Soomaa (which literally means "land of bogs" in Estonian) has a rich cultural heritage too. Local communities have developed special skills and traditions adapted to the flooding environment, including distinctive boat-building techniques. The traditional dugout canoe or "haabjas" - carved from a single aspen tree - represents a craft that has been practiced here for centuries.

The park's visitor center provides excellent information about the area's ecology and offers guided tours that help visitors understand this complex ecosystem. While relatively unknown to international tourists compared to other European parks, Soomaa represents one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe and gives a perfect opportunity to experience Estonia beyond its medieval towns and digital innovations.