A tour of Soomaa's scenery and authentic rural life
Soomaa and the surrounding region on the edge of Pärnu County offer rare moments of quiet and untouched nature, alongside lively rural farm life.
Looking for a slow, relaxing holiday close to nature?
A tour of Soomaa is just the ticket.
Take an adventurous canoe trip, enjoy the fresh air, and stop at places you’ve never been to before. The pace of the tour is up to you. It's possible to do the route in one day, but then it may not be the relaxing trip you're craving. Stay in Soomaa for at least a couple of days to sync up with the rhythms of local life.
The Soomaa region combines fertile farmland, abundant wildlife, and a rare kind of peace and quiet that's difficult to find nowadays. It is worth coming back to Soomaa again and again, because every season — every day, really — looks a little different. It is especially magical to discover Soomaa during the spring floods, Estonia's famous fifth season.
What to expect
- Main attractions: Around the national park, you can admire the beautiful landscape, enjoy traditional foods, become familiar with local wine culture, visit a farm dedicated to Estonia’s very own breed of horses, and perhaps even take part in a sauna experience.
- Length: Approx. 160 km
- Duration: Soomaa is perfect for a day trip, but we recommend spending at least two days to experience the region's true peace, tranquility, and beauty.
- When to visit: Year-round, though, for some small farms, visits must be booked in advance. Not all small producers may be open to visitors during the low season.
- How to get here: The tour is designed to be explored in your own car or a rental car.
- Sustainable options: Cafés and small producers along the route offer locally sourced products that you can try out and purchase on the spot. Soomaa National Park is a protected area. As you explore the area, please respect nature and the birds and animals that live here.
Hitch a ride into Estonia's past
Tori Horse Breeding Farm
Did you know that the oldest horse breeding farm in Estonia is located in Pärnu County, in the tiny town of Tori? Horses have historically played an important role in Estonian farm culture. When there were no tractors or farm machinery, horses were used to plough fields and harvest crops.
The Tori Horse Breeding Farm is located in a beautiful, recently renovated stable complex belonging to Tori Manor, which was built in 1862. To this day, the oldest horse breeding farm in Estonia breeds and raises Estonian and Tori horses. The farm also features a museum where you can learn how big Hetman, the father of the Tori horse breed, was and discover the history of horse breeding in Estonia.
You can get here by car from the Pärnu city center in about 30 minutes. Set aside at least an hour for your visit. Horse riding and horseback riding are available when booked ahead.
Hours
- June to August, Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00
- September to May, Wed-Sun 9:00-17:00
More things to see and in & around Tori
While in Tori, look for the brick-and-stone Estonian Soldiers Memorial Church and the mysterious Tori Hell cave. It is in the heart of Tori, on the banks of the Pärnu River. The cave is nearly 6 meters wide and, according to legend, 32 meters long. The supposed "passage to hell" has collapsed, but the area still has a mysterious air. You can get to the cave by following the stairs down to the river that start from Tori Cemetery.
You can also see the cave entrance from the water. To do this, head to Levikivi Nature Farm, where you can rent a canoe. Levikivi also has a stonemasonry workroom and a craft shop where you can buy locally made natural stone products. If you have some extra time, you can learn to make your own stone necklaces, stone instruments, and toy blocks.
Photo author: Priidu Saart
Raise a glass to craft creations
Tori Cider Farm
In the old days, almost every farm had a few oak barrels where wine or stronger spirits were aged. But what about craft cider and craft wine today?
You can find the answers to these and many other questions by visiting Tori Cider Farm on the edge of the Soomaa National Park, a family farm where organic cider and wines are produced using traditional methods and zero waste. It only takes about 8 minutes to get from the Horse Breeding Farm to the Cider Farm, but make sure to set aside at least an hour for your visit.
The handcrafted beverages from Tori Cider Farm have received several awards in Estonia and internationally. The drinks are made using local apples, rhubarb, blackcurrants, and other fruits and berries.
You can join a production tour or enter the cider master’s workshop. It is also possible to explore the Nordic grape-growing area and the apple orchard. Challenge yourself at the Cider Farm’s Disgorgement Workshop, where you will learn how the yeast is removed from the bottle and the sparkling wine cap is put on after the drink has settled. To visit the farm and participate in a workshop, let them know in advance.
Less than a kilometer from Tori Cider Farm lies the Jõesuu suspension bridge, which is the longest suspension bridge in Pärnu County at 67.5 meters. Right next to the bridge is the Jõesuu village café and shop, where it’s worth popping in and grabbing something to eat before setting off.
Photo author: Innervisionteam
Photo author: Korstenfilms
Wander through scenic wetlands
Soomaa National Park
With its flood meadows, bogs, forests, and rivers, Soomaa National Park, Estonia’s second-largest national park, is definitely worth a closer look. A large part of the region is uninhabited and untouched by human activity, making this 17,500-hectare area one of Estonia’s national treasures.
The most exciting time in Soomaa is during the spring floods, when fields, forests, and meadows go underwater. This time is known as the fifth season. In the past, locals moved through the meadows and forests during flood season in dugout canoes known as haabjas, which are listed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Today it is possible to discover Soomaa by foot, snowshoe, or ice skates, or on the water with a haabjas, boat, or canoe.
A popular place to hike in Soomaa is the 5-kilometer-long Riisa study trail, where you’ll also find a watchtower. You can also hike the Ingatsi study trail and the Beaver Trail. Fifth-season flooding is best observed from the Tõramaa meadow observation tower. In the winter, you can get around Soomaa with tour skates, which you can use to travel over frozen bog ponds.
Soomaa's main attraction is the many rivers that run through the national park. You can rent a stand-up paddleboard, a boat, or a canoe from the EUROPARC-labeled Soomaa Holiday Village, where you can also go on a picnic, fish, or enjoy nature by the Halliste River.
Soomaa National Park is also known for its large beaver population. For a closer look, you can join a beaver observation trip. A guide takes you along the river to secret places where you have a fairly good chance of spotting them.
Step into rural life
The C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum in Kurgja
The C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum in the Kurgja Village in the north-eastern part of Pärnu County is a great way to get a sense of what life in Estonia was like in the 19th century. It takes about 43 minutes to get to the museum from the Soomaa National Park Visitor Center.
The Farm Museum provides an overview of the life and work of C. R. Jakobson, an important figure in Estonia's National Awakening and an innovative farmer. The farm complex was built according to Jakobson’s drawings and dreams.
The new hands-on exhibition tells fascinating stories about the most important events, places, and people in Jakobson’s life, and you can learn about rural traditions and customs and meet farm animals. Set aside at least 1.5 hours for your visit, plus time for a simple meal made from local ingredients at the Farm Museum’s Rehetoa Café.
We also recommend taking part in the museum's hands-on workshops! For example, you can learn how to make sõir, a traditional Estonian curd cheese. In the karask and butter workshops, you can learn how to bake delicious karask, which was part of rural Estonians’ daily diet in the 19th century. Note: Workshops must be organized in advance.
Hours
- March to October, Wed-Sun 10:00-17:00
- November to February, Wed-Sun 10:00-16:00
Photo author: Siim Verner Teder
Photo author: Korstenfilms
Savor the products of sustainable farming
Piesta Kuusikaru Farm
On your way back to Pärnu, about 25 minutes from Kurgja, visit Piesta Kuusikaru Farm, which has been awarded the EUROPARC Sustainable Tourism Certificate. The family that runs the farm produces well-known and beloved local apple products, including pure apple juice, slowly fermented apple vinegar, and delicious apple butter.
Apple trees used to grow in almost every Estonian farmyard, and apples were used to make a variety of interesting products for home consumption. Set aside at least an hour for your visit so that you have time to taste a piece of Estonian history.
During your visit, you can also get tips from the family on making lemonade at home and mixing a delicious salad dressing. You can discover the history of the 150-year-old farm and its modern production methods, buy their products from the farm shop, and spend some time in the café on Sundays in the summer. You can also participate in tastings and workshops by prior arrangement.
The farm also has a cottage where you can stay overnight.
- Note: Please contact the farm in advance if you wish to visit. The farm shop is open whenever the family is at home. The café is open on Sundays in the summer, and you’re welcome to step right in!
Local tip: On the way from Piesta Kuusikaru to Pärnu, stop at the Selja Dairy Store located right by the highway (look for the sign that says "Selja Meierei Pood"). There you can buy fresh dairy products, cheese, curd, and products from local butchers. This is the only dairy store in Pärnu County, so come in and grab something tasty!
Photo author: Korstenfilms
Spend the night in nature
Where to stay and sauna in Soomaa
Proper Estonian accommodation also includes a sauna. Going to the sauna has been a tradition in Estonia for centuries and is still part of our local identity. You can go to the sauna every day; there's no need to wait for a special occasion. In addition to relaxation, sauna also has health benefits. When traveling to Estonia, a visit to the sauna is a must-try experience.
Near Soomaa, you can find accommodation with sauna at the EUROPARC-certified Piesta riverside cottage, Klaara-Manni Holiday and Seminar Center, and Soomaa Holiday Village
The Green Key-labeled Urumarja Sauna Camp offers an igloo sauna and a yurt with a fireplace, where you can also stay overnight. What makes the campsite special is that there is no conventional electricity or water. Only battery-powered LED lights are used in the rest area. Water comes from the adjacent Kurina River, and a small solar panel has been installed for electricity.
A slow holiday enjoying the wonderful landscapes of Estonia
A trip to Soomaa is a true break from the noise of the city and everyday life. Every place and every farm in Soomaa offers something genuine and unique.
Let Soomaa surprise you. See more ideas for discovering Soomaa!
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Last updated
28.11.2025