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  • Nature and Activities
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Pühajärve War Oak

Sõjatamme, Otepää vald, Valga maakond, 67414

You’ll need several people to measure the circumference of the ancient, nearly 400-year-old oak tree towering nearby Lake Pühajärv in Otepää! The trunk of this ancient tree has a circumference of 6.6 meters.
It is called the War Oak because it has witnessed many historical events. Apparently, peasants of the Pühajärv Manor refused to work for the manor in autumn 1841 and the rebels were punished near the oak. The Pühajärve War was one of the first peasant uprisings against the landlords in Estonia, and in memory of it, an oak tree was planted nearby, where a memorial stone was erected on the 130th anniversary of the uprising.
A beautiful park with walking tracks surrounds the tree today, and although the ancient tree is no longer in its full glory, it stands here to its full dignity, recalling times gone by.

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  • Hiking Trails

Lake Viti hiking trail and observation tower

The Lake Viti hiking trail is a nature trail that passes through an exciting hilly forest landscape. The trail information boards provide information about the Vitipalu forests, the woodpeckers that inhabit them, their nesting sites, the ant kingdom, and more. The trail features a hiking hut, a campfire site, Viti Lake, a 20-meter-high wooden observation tower overlooking the surrounding greenery, and a pleasant picnic spot with shelters. The Lake Viti trail is suitable for hikers of all ages, but it is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. The Lake Viti hiking trail begins and ends at the trail parking lot. The trail is marked with yellow stripes.

  • Camping sites
  • Hiking Trails
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Pikksaare hiking trail and Pangodi campfire site

The Pikksaare hiking trail begins at the swimming and camping area by Lake Pangodi. While walking along the hiking trail, you can enjoy peace and idyllic views of the lake and the surrounding nature and make a short detour to the War of Independence Memorial. The directional signs placed along the trail will help make the hike smoother. The hiking trail passes the Pangodi campfire site, where you can take a short break, as there is a shelter, a barbecue area, a nice swimming spot, and opportunities for camping. Come and spend a nice day in nature with your family or friends!

  • Hiking Trails

Luhasoo nature trail

The hiking trail on the Luhasoo landscape protection area is a 5 km long loop, partially covered with a boardwalk. In the center of the trail, there is a small forest hut on a bog island for overnight stays. Hiking in the flat terrain of Luhasoo offers a contrast to the otherwise hilly nature of Võrumaa. The peace and quiet of the bog help nerves to relax from city noise and daily activities. The boardwalk-covered part is easy to traverse even with children. It is possible to take breaks along the way. Luhasoo bog is known for its dark-water pools and moss fields shimmering between them. As you move along the trail, picturesque views of the bog lake and surrounding transition bog landscape unfold — it's an ideal place to breathe in clean air, take a break, and recharge naturally. The hike offers both visual diversity and an opportunity to truly escape the noise of everyday life. Good to know: firewood needed for the forest hut should be taken from the shelter at the start of the boardwalk. The forest hut is available for free use.

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  • Beaches

Lake Pühajärv

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.

  • Hiking Trails

Õrsava Lake Hiking Trail

The Õrsava Lake Hiking Trail winds around the lake of the same name. The 5 km trail starts officially at the Värska school stadium, but you can start at any point. The lakeside footpath is made more exciting by several bridges. On the shore of Õrsava village there is a campfire site and an RMK bonfire site, as well as a swimming area.In addition to scenic views of nature and pine forests, the hiking trail offers some history: it's partly on the road of the former Estonian Defense Forces Training Center, the so-called , and although the camp was largely dismantled in World War II, some soldiers' barracks and other buildings have been preserved.

  • Hiking Trails

RMK Nohipalo study trail

The Nohipalo study trail is an interesting and educational hiking trail. There are 16 information boards on the three-kilometre trail, which give a good overview of hunting and forestry.The diversity of the nature makes the trail exciting – boreo-nemoral forests, eskers, and heath forests, where blueberries, lingonberries, and mushrooms can be picked depending on the season.On the study trail, you can admire the magnificent badger area and explore the traces of beavers. If you are lucky, you might even see an animal there.The Nohipalo study trail starts and ends at the Ilumetsa forest house.

  • Hiking Trails

RMK forest study trail at Pähni Nature Centre

The 2.8 km Pähni forest trail starts and ends at the Pähni Nature Centre.The trail starts with an information board with introductory text, later on you have to follow the signs.There are 15 points of interest on the trail with information on different types of forests, species of trees and evidence of cultural heritage and animal activity. There is also a fire pit and shelters (4) where you can relax and take a break. The trail is partially covered with a wooden boardwalk (200 m).

  • Hiking Trails

Väike Väerada hiking trail

In Tartu County, near the Elva railway station, the Väike Väerada trail is one of the area's most popular hiking paths. It is special because of the wooden sculptures inspired by Estonian fairy tales and created by local artists. Small but mighty, Väerada has a healing effect on both the mind and body. The nature trail offers experiences for hikers of all ages and is suitable for exploration year-round. The attractive sculptures not only adorn the trail but also guide the correct path. The forest trail includes several resting spots and exciting attractions for children, making the journey even more enjoyable. The hiking trail ends at the Tartumaa Health Sports Center, where you can continue adventuring on other forest trails, play disc golf, or enjoy playground fun with children under the beautiful pines. Come take a walk in nature, discover fairy-tale sculptures, and let Elva Väerada offer you peace and experience in every season.

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