Vanamõisa Beach

Cabins for hikers, an observation tower and a boardwalk attract many nature lovers to the Meenikunno bog. It is a beautiful recreation area. While walking down the boardwalk, you can see the most common bog plants: leather leaf, bog rosemary, crowberry, Marsh Labrador tea, and tussock cottongrass; at the edge of the bog, dwarf birches can also be found. There are also a number of different species of peat moss of various colours. The bravest hikers can try drinking bog water (it has an interesting taste!) from the overgrown ditch near the edge of the bog.Good to know: The boardwalk is pram and wheelchair accessible.

Families with children are particularly welcome in the Lake Pühajärv Park as there are many opportunities to feed ducks and other birds when walking on the lakeshore. There is an exercise track by the northern part of the park. This is also the place where you will find the beach with a beach house, cafés, arbours and boat hire.The park used to be a part of the Pühajärv Manor Park and it was designed as a walking forest with paths already in the 19th century. The park is mainly a naturally grown forest.

Palojärve camping area is a great place for a forest and beach holiday in a beautiful berry and mushroom pine forest on the shore of Lake Palojärv.There are seven covered campfire sites with benches and tree sheds, a roofed table-bench, a toilet for eight people and a toilet for one person, two wood sheds (it is possible to sleep in one of them), two changing cabins, and a swimming pier in Lake Palojärv.In summer, it is often crowded, but the large parking lot can accommodate 30 cars and the two smaller parking lots can accommodate five cars.

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.

During the summer season, beautiful Pühajärve Beach awaits you in Otepää with its clean sand, swimming pier, and full-sized outdoor swimming pool. In the summer, the beach has lifeguards, several catering companies, SUP board rentals, and boat rentals offering row boats, canoes, and pedal boats. A special pier and changing room have been built for visitors in wheelchairs. During the winter, a winter swimming pool is open on the beach. Pühajärve Park, which surrounds the beach, invites both young and old to walk along its shady paths. Come to Pühajärve and enjoy a day at the beach!

Between the forests of Elva is a mysterious body of water – Lake Vaikne. The beautiful forest lake is a sight in itself and enchants visitors with its charming nature and silence at any time of the year. The lake has also won the attention of the poet J. Kärner, who at one time often came here to gather inspiration.The place is suitable for a responsible holidaymaker who prefers less populated places and wants to have a breath-taking experience. The lake is suitable for swimming – the water is clean and very warm.Use the wooden bridge to dive into the lake!Swimming is at your own risk!The area is illustrated by the wooden sculptures of the Nature Energy Trail.

The Kekkonen hiking track can be used all year round – in summer for hiking, jogging and cycling and in winter for skiing. The track was named after former Finnish president Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, who visited Kääriku. The 15 km track starts from Kääriku stadium and passes through several spots of natural beauty, including Harimägi Hill – one of the highest points in the Otepää Highlands (211.3 m above sea level). Its viewing tower, which stands 26 metres high, is right next to the hiking track. Those with more energy can follow the additional 5 km loop on Harimägi Hill.

The hiking trail that encircles Lake Pühajärv starts near the centre of Otepää Nature Park. The 14 km trail takes you on a voyage of discovery around one of the most unique and beautiful lakes in Estonia. Covering the whole track takes from 3–6 hours. There are rest areas and barbecue sites along the way. Part of the track (approximately 2.2 km) runs along the Pühajärve–Kääriku exercise track by the Otepää–Kääriku highway. You can cover the track by foot or bike. Cyclists must bear in mind that there are parts of the track on which you will have to push your bike instead of riding it. The Angunina, Kiigemäe and Koolirand campfire sites are located on the trail. There, you can make a fire and camp.