Tori: Horse Breeding, Rivers and Cultural Heritage

Tori is located on the edge of Soomaa National Park. Forests, green spaces and rivers shape the landscape of Tori Parish, while horse breeding, museums and archaeological traces offer further topics to explore during your stay. The national park offers opportunities for hiking through forests and bogs, as well as activities on the rivers.

Landscape and Water in Soomaa National Park

In Soomaa National Park, the flood season is also known as the fifth season. It can create conditions for canoeing across flooded meadows and through floodplain forests. This seasonal feature is part of the national park; in Tori itself, the Pärnu River and other river landscapes offer their own themes for excursions and cultural exploration.

Protected natural monuments in Tori Parish include Tori paljand and the caves there. Tori Põrgu is a Devonian sandstone cliff on the banks of the Pärnu River. Canoeists can reach it by paddling 100 metres upstream from the bridge. The interior of Tori Põrgu is no longer accessible; however, steps from the cemetery gate lead to the site.

The 2.8-kilometre Meiekose nature trail runs along the Raudna and Tõramaa rivers through part of the cultural landscape of Soomaa National Park. The described stops include an old village with huts and saunas, old farmsteads and gnarled oaks. In Jõesuu, a 67.5-metre suspension bridge crosses the Pärnu River.

Horse Breeding, Museums and History

Founded in 1856, Tori Hobusekasvandus continues to breed Estonian and Tori horses. By prior booking, the stud offers horseback rides and horse-drawn carriage trips. Alongside the history of horse breeding, the programme therefore includes two different kinds of excursions: on horseback or by carriage.

The Tori Museum was Estonia’s first parish museum and was founded in 1934. Its exhibitions are housed in a former manor granary dating from 1814; the museum organises guided tours. The Sindi Museum offers visitors a free introduction to the history of Sindi.

The area’s settlement history stretches far back: the first settlers reached Pulli 10,000 to 11,000 years ago. A dog’s tooth found in Pulli is the oldest evidence of the presence of domesticated dogs found in Estonia. The churches also tell different parts of the area’s history: Tori Memorial Church was completed in 1854. Tori St George’s Lutheran Church was consecrated in 2001 in memory of all the victims of the Second World War and is used as a concert venue.

Dugout Canoe Trips and Other Experiences

At Haabjakoda, you can rent authentic dugout canoes for peaceful, one-hour trips on the Pärnu River. Haabjakoda provides life jackets, paddles and basic instructions for the canoe trips. An exhibition explores the dugout canoe tradition in Estonia and Latvia. This combines a hands-on experience on the river with an insight into the region’s boating tradition.

Organised kayak and canoe tours start and finish at the Sindi rapids. If you prefer to view the water from the shore, you can also watch the churning water there. The two perspectives are clearly different: an organised tour on the water or a view of the rapids from the shore.

On a visit to Tori Siidritalu, you can learn about cider and wine making and taste the farm’s products. Alongside alpacas, the alpaca farm is also home to pygmy goats, miniature sheep, Angora rabbits and chickens. The choice of things to explore thus ranges from culture and river landscapes to production and wildlife.

Discover more destinations: Kõrsa, Tori, Tahkuranna, Vändra, Varbla Vald, Häädemeeste, Audru, Kuiaru

For the regional travel overview: Pärnu.