The Palumägede hiking trail is situated near Lake Pangodi, within the picturesque Pangodi Landscape Reserve, and is an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking an active holiday experience. The hiking trail offers diverse landscapes with pleasantly alternating ups and downs, adding a little excitement to the hike. The starting point of the hiking trail is conveniently located at the second parking lot of Palumägede, where you will also find an information board that gives a good overview of the surrounding nature. Clear signposts and benches along the trail make the walk particularly comfortable. The Palumägede campfire site offers a space for grilling, swimming, and camping.
Pühajärv, with its picturesque winding shoreline and four islands, is the largest lake in Otepää Nature Park. At the northern tip of Pühajärv, there is a beach area with a beach house, ball courts, a children's playground, recreation areas, a café, and a boat harbor. At the southern tip is the Kooliranna recreation area, and from there begins the Väike Emajõgi, which meanders through Valgamaa. Pühajärve Park is the starting point for the Murrumetsa hiking trail, and around the lake runs the 12 km long Pühajärve hiking trail, which passes by the lake's most famous spring, the Armuallikas. In winter, when weather conditions are suitable, an ice trail is created on the lake for hiking, and a winter swimming area is open at Pühajärve Beach.Pühajärv has provided plenty of inspiration for writers and artists. For example, Fridebert Tuglas and Eino Leino have vacationed here. Information about Konrad Mägi's Pühajärv paintings can be found on an info board by the lakeshore near the GMP Pühajärve restaurant. In 1991, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, visited Otepää and blessed the lake, an event commemorated by a wooden sculpture on the shore of Pühajärve Park.
Emajõe City Beach is located on the left bank of the Emajõgi River in Tartu’s Ülejõe district and is a popular place among locals during the summer. There is a sandy beach for sunbathing. There are various attractions for children: swings, climbing equipment and a slide. During the summer months, the coast guard also works during the day.On the city side of the beach, you will find the Lodjakoda, which operates as centre for building historical ships and a theme park as well as a museum, where adults and children alike can see how barges are made. This is also the harbour where viking and barge trips start.
Anne Canal is located in the city of Tartu, where you can enjoy summer beach fun. The beach has a golden sandy beach that awaits sunbathers and sandcastle builders. There is also a playground with swings, climbing ladders, and a slide. There are fitness trails, an outdoor gym, and a volleyball court along the Canal. There are changing cabins and toilets on the beach. During the swimming season, the beach café Lennuk is open, where you can buy refreshing drinks and street food. In winter, you can go winter swimming in Anne Canal and go ice skating with your own skates. Good to know: During the summer months, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards.
Lake Riiska is situated by the Valga road in the south-eastern part of the town of Tõrva. The lake has shallow shores, a sandy lake bed and greenish springs. The lake's depth reaches 12.5 metres. There is a beautiful sandy beach by the lake with beach cabins for changing clothes, toilets, volleyball courts, a swimming pontoon and swings. Coast guard will ensure safety on the beach.
Erastvere is one of the oldest settlements near Põlva. There is an old manor park with the tallest lime-tree in Estonia, with the height of 35 m. A chapel of the noble German family von Ungern-Sternberg which is built on the foundation of the former Church of Mary and called after the last family member born in Estonia – Gerhard – is located in the middle of the park. The park also includes the fascinating Lake Erastvere which offers good opportunities to bathe, camp and spend a good time. The Ahja River starts from the north-eastern part of Lake Erastvere.
Lake Põlva and its beach offer a variety of opportunities for active recreation and plenty of options for enjoying the water. By the lake you will find playgrounds, skateboarding and rollerblading areas and walking tracks. What makes the lake unique is the light installation on its island, where 150 different coloured lanterns light up the sky when darkness falls.
Lake Kiidjärv is the perfect place to enjoy the beach or summer evenings: there is a sandy beach, two swimming bridges, and a small playground for children. Swim at the beach at your own risk! Kiidjärve Manor Park is located near the swimming area.Nearby are Kiidjärve Water Mill, RMK Kiidjärve Visitor Centre, Roiupalu study trail (800 m), Valgesoo bog study trail and watchtower (3.5 km), and Large Taevaskoda sandstone outcrop (3.5 km).The buildings of Kiidjärve Manor were built in the second half of the 18th century and the park was probably built at the same time. The manor house was destroyed in a fire in 1950, but some smaller buildings have been preserved, such as a granary-drier.