Sonda: Bogs, Forests and Railway History

Sonda is a forest settlement surrounded by the four large bogs of Sirtsi, Kuresoo, Muraka and Uljaste. The history of the area is also closely linked to the railway. To get your bearings during a stay, it is worth distinguishing between the landscape around Sonda, the attractions at Lake Uljaste in the surrounding area, and the historic landmarks in the settlement itself.

Bogs and hiking trails around Sonda

The 156 km Roela–Mummassaare section of the Penijõe–Aegviidu–Kauksi hiking trail passes through Sonda. In the surrounding area, in the village of Uljaste, the Uljaste hiking trail offers views of Lake Uljaste, its bog lakes and the primeval forest. The two hiking routes have different focal points: the Roela–Mummassaare section is defined by its length and the fact that it passes through Sonda; the Uljaste hiking trail focuses on the lake, bog lakes and forest. This can help you decide whether to follow a section that passes through Sonda or explore the described landscapes in Uljaste.

There is also a recreational area and a sandy beach where you can swim at Lake Uljaste in Uljaste. This adds another way to experience the area around the lake alongside the hiking trail: the local attractions include both the views of bog lakes and forest described above, and a beach where swimming is possible.

Railway history and the development of the settlement

The establishment of the Sonda settlement is linked to the opening of the Baltic Railway in 1870. Sonda railway station was built at its present location in 1897; reference works consider this construction the beginning of the settlement’s development. The dates refer to different historical milestones: 1870 marks the link between the railway’s opening and the establishment of the settlement, while 1897 refers to the station’s construction and its place in the settlement’s development.

A monument to the narrow-gauge Sonda–Avinurme railway stands next to the station. Freight transport is also part of the area’s railway history. Sonda had a rail connection to Aseri; products from the cement factory were transported from there for onward transfer to the main railway line. One of the main functions of the Sonda–Mustvee railway was to transport timber from the vast forests of Alutaguse. These details describe different transport links and illustrate the role the railway played in the region’s economic and local history.

The Sonda–Mustvee railway was closed in two stages. In the summer of 1968, the Mustvee–Avinurme section was closed first. The Sonda–Avinurme section followed on 1 May 1972. The two dates therefore mark successive closures of sections of the line, not a single event.

Culture at the Sonda Community Centre

Throughout the year, the Sonda Community Centre hosts clubs, concerts, exhibitions and community events for people of all ages. The cultural programme therefore includes both regular activities and a variety of event formats. If you want to plan your trip around a particular concert, exhibition or community event, check the relevant date in advance.

For the main travel overview: Sonda.