Soomaa National Park
| Soomaa National Park | |||
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| Location: | Estonia | ||
| Next city: | Parnu | ||
| Surface: | 370 km² | ||
| Founding: | 1993 | ||
The Soomaa National Park (Estonian Soomaa rahvuspark ; "Soomaa" literally means "marshland") was founded on December 8, 1993 to protect the moors , swamps, floodplains and forests of southwest Estonia . Its four large moors, Kuresoo, Valgeraba, Kikepera and Öördi, lie in the catchment area of the Pärnu River and are separated from each other by other rivers.
In 1997 the national park became a CORINE biotope and thus included in the circle of important nature reserves in Europe . On June 17, 1997, it was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands, and in 1998 it was proposed to add Soomaa to the UNESCO World Heritage List . The so-called "fifth season" is characteristic of the park. During this period between winter and spring there are regular floods, which in the so-called "Riisa flood area" extend to a maximum area of 110 km².
115.3 km² in the core zone of the national park belong to the wilderness areas certified by the European Wilderness Society .
A visitor center with an exhibition is located in Tipu.
Flora and fauna
524 species of higher plants, 172 species of birds (including various types of eagles ) and 46 species of mammals (such as elk , beaver , wolf and bear ) have been identified in the park, many of which are on the Red List of Endangered Species .
free time activities
The park is ideal for exploring by canoe and kayak. In summer and autumn after the floods, there are some marked trails for hiking. In winter it is also possible to enter the moor on foot, with skis or snowshoes.
There are some resting places, especially along the rivers, which can therefore also be used by water sports enthusiasts, where camping and making a fire are permitted. Picking berries and mushrooms as well as fishing is permitted in specially protected areas of the park (information in the visitor center), with a few restrictions.
