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Tweak your travel dates for a richer experience of the famous Baltic fifth season

Each spring, something magical happens in Estonia. As the winter snow melts, rivers begin to overflow. Meadows, pastures and forests flood. Suddenly, a unique nautical landscape emerges. For a short time this spring, you can explore this hidden natural world by canoe or kayak if you visit the Soomaa National Park. And if you can’t make it there, we have other suggestions for you. Here’s how to immerse yourself in Estonia’s fifth season.

Canoeing through Soomaa National Park

For most of the year, Soomaa National Park is a wetland that’s ideal for hiking, walking and wildlife spotting. But during the fifth season, more than seventeen thousand hectares of forests, roads and meadows within the park become waterways that can be explored from the hull of a canoe or kayak. Whether you’re in a couple, a group, or on the water solo, this is sure to be a transformative experience. And if you want to do it in an authentic way, rent a haabja, a traditional dugout canoe that Estonians have used for centuries during the floods. Make sure to travel responsibly, opting for public transport when possible. Here are a few route options: from Tallinn board a train or bus to Pärnu or Viljandi. Then, arrange local transportation either with a private provider or public bus to get to Soomaa. Buses from Pärnu or Viljandi are limited, so if you choose this option, make sure to check the schedule.

Tuhala Witch’s Well

If you can’t make it to Soomaa, don’t worry. There are many places in Estonia’s outdoors to experience the fifth season. One such locale is the Tuhala Witch’s Well, a mysterious natural phenomenon where water gushes dramatically from the ground after heavy rainfalls. According to Estonian folklore, the gushing is caused by witches lashing one another underground. Whatever you choose to believe, it’s surely a wonder of the region and worth a trip to the village of Tuhala.

Discover Estonia on its waterways

With the high-water levels during the fifth season, Estonia is a paradise for water sports. From white water and river rafting on one hand and gentle canoeing on the other, there’s something for everyone’s needs and wishes. Southeast Estonia is a great place to consider. If you have an adventurous spirit, raft down the boisterous waters of the Piusa or Võhandu Rivers. For a more serene day, paddle along the Peetri, admiring the striking limestone bluffs above you. Whichever option you choose, make sure to pack treats like sprat sandwiches (kiluvõileib), dried meats and local cheeses, and kama, a traditional dessert made from roasted barley, rye, oat, and pea flour that is often mixed with kefir or buttermilk.

Canoeing during the fifth season in Soomaa National Park, Estonia
Canoeing during the fifth season in Soomaa National Park, Estonia.

Things to consider before traveling

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Some tips to consider while traveling

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