Valgesoo watchtower

Järvselja nature study trail introduces the forest surrounding the centre of forestry and research. The trail is diverse and passes through a number of forests. Here, you will see the King’s pine (Kuningamänd), which is over 380 years old, as well as spruces that are more than 40 meters high – making them one of the highest trees in Estonia.The trail runs partly on a boardwalk and the route is 1–5 km long. A good starting point is either the Järvselja Hunting Lodge or the guest house, where there are information boards with a map of the trails.Järvselja study trail and the primeval forest represent one of the best locations to discover in Southern Estonia, marked with the yellow frame of National Geographic.

Vällamäe 3,3 km long hiking trail offers a unique elevation change in Estonia. Vällamägi is Estonia's second highest hill, covered with ancient forest and steep slopes, with an elevation of 303.9 m above sea level. However, considering the 84 meters measured from the base to the peak, Vällamägi is the highest in relative height in Estonia. The slopes of the hill are very steep in places (incline of 35-40 degrees). Since 1992, Vällamäe forests have been designated as a spruce gene pool reserve. As you move along the trail, steep ascents and descents alternate, offering both a physical challenge and breathtaking views of the ancient forest shelters. The climb to the peak may momentarily make you feel like you've arrived in the mountains, not Haanja. The charm of Vällamäe lies in its primordial silence and touch of nature – you won't find crowded hiking trails here. Each season adds its own character to the trail: in spring, the air is filled with birdsong, in summer you may find berries in the forest, in autumn colorful leaves and an abundance of mushrooms delight the eyes, and in winter the slopes are covered with a dense layer of snow in silence.

In the heart of the town of Elva, located in Tartu County, lies the scenic Arbi Lake, offering visual beauty with its rich vegetation, illuminated nature trails, and surrounding pine forest, as well as plenty of activities for every visitor. The 1.2 km-long circular gravel path by the lake starts at the beach and is ideal for walking, running, and cycling. The promenade offers various leisure opportunities – here you can relax, enjoy the quiet and beautiful views, or taste currants picked directly from the bush. Near the lake is the Elva Cultural Center, where you can visit free exhibitions and learn about local life. Hansen Avenue, which intersects with the nature trail and offers excellent views of the lake, is a popular spot for walkers and has served as a romantic setting for several weddings. Along the nature trail, there are 10 information boards and stands that offer a comprehensive overview of life around Arbi Lake and its shores, revealing the long-term connection between humans and the lake.

Kirikumäe's 3.2-km-long hiking trail winds around the lake of the same name, which is known as the best swimming area in the region. There is a bog on the southern shore of the lake and the hiking trail also runs across the bog. For this purpose, a boardwalk has been built there. In any case, however, you must be prepared to get your feet wet here and there. There are information boards, campfires, and forest trails on the track.

Peräjärve forest trail guides the hiker through different forest types - fresh boreal forest, dry boreal forest, boreal heath forest, carr, and swamp forest. You will get an overview of the different uses of the forests throughout history, a living example of this are the trees near the trail, which are used to extract resin from.The study trail can be visited all year round: in spring there're a lot of bird sounds and the daphne mezereum blooms, in summer and autumn the forest is full of berries and mushrooms, and in winter you can see interesting animal tracks in snow.

The hiking trail starts from the parking area near the Kütiorg Holiday Centre. The trail is diverse, with fairly steep and challenging terrain, so it's recommended to allow four to five hours to complete it. Along the trail, hikers get the best view of Estonia’s largest and most powerful ancient valley – Kütiorg – and can explore old mill sites and other cultural heritage landmarks. In the forested slopes of Kütiorg, there are spruce stands over a hundred years old, as well as exceptionally thick and tall aspen trees. Near the starting point of the trail, there is a campfire site equipped with a grill grate. Good to know: Part of the trail passes through private property, where dogs may roam freely.

Murrumetsa Hiking Trail starts from the Pühajärve Manor Park and runs through Murrumetsa forest back to the park. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to pass the 3.5 km track. There are information boards next to the track that give information about the flora and fauna of our forests and cultivated landscapes. The track passes the ancient Pühajärv War Oak (circumference 6.98 m and height 22 m) and the commemorative stone to mark the Pühajärv War of 1841, which can be found among the oaks of Murrumets Forest. There are also rest areas and fire sites by the trail.

The bird observation tower on the Linnutee hiking trail is located in Kärevere Nature Reserve, which is one of the most visited places among bird enthusiasts. There are over 200 bird species here!The six-meter observation tower is perfect for admiring birds, their migration, and nesting, as well as the spring floods, and the diverse rivers, meadows, and forests. The purpose of this area is to protect rare species of birds, animals, and plants, as well as their habitats, forest and meadow communities, and inland water bodies. The local protected species include the black stork, the lesser spotted eagle, the white-tailed eagle, several bat species, the asp, the European bullhead, and others.