Taevaskoda Hiking Trail

The two Taevaskoda outcrops on the banks of the ancient valley of the Ahja River are one of the most frequently visited sites in southern Estonia. The sandstone outcrops and the ancient river form the most beautiful part of the Ahja River Landscape Reserve. Legends speak of caves, secret passageways and of demons and a mermaid with a golden comb. A walk from the Saesaare dam to the Small Taevaskoda outcrop, the Emaläte spring, the Neitsikoobas cave and the Large Taevaskoda outcrop, which rises 22.5 metres above the river, is worth undertaking in every season. The beautiful and exciting natural setting attracts hikers – it is a place that every Estonian visits at least once in their life!

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.

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!

Tamme Outcrop hiking track is located on the eastern shore of Lake Võrtsjärv between the villages of Tamme and Neemisküla in Elva municipality. The area is rich in Devon sandstone outcrops from the Aruküla layer. Tamme Outcrop, which is located on the track, is an area where placoderms have been found and where valuable paleontological material has been collected since the second half of the 19th century.Ten information boards have been set up along the hiking track, which is almost 2 km long. They provide interesting information about the local natural environment. If you walk 1 km north on the track, you can turn back and hike back along a field or on a forest trail on the outcrop.

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.

The study trail is well-suited for getting acquainted with the development and vegetation of bogs and for observing pine cultures. A 1.8 km long circular study trail revolves around the Valgesoo bog. On the she study trail you can explore the bog vegetation, old pine plantation ("Baron's pine forest"), and a forest edge rich of Scottish wood ants. The whole trail is accessible by a wheelchair or stroller. To facilitate movement on the track, there is a track map and colour markings on the trees. There is an observation tower and a campfire site at the start of the study trail.Valgesoo bog is one of the 21 places worth discovering in Southern Estonia, which is suggested to be visited for those who are interested in nature.

The Emajõgi study trail is located a short drive from the city of Tartu and offers an experience for hikers and nature lovers. The circular study trail winds along the banks of the Emajõgi River, taking you into the surrounding greenery. Information boards along the trail provide details about the local flora and fauna, as well as the significance of the river to the Estonian landscape. The trail is well-maintained and easily accessible, making it suitable for everyone. The hiking trail has resting places, camping facilities, and a floodplain observation platform. The first 700 meters of the boardwalk are 1.2 m wide and are also suitable for those with strollers or wheelchairs. Come and discover the peace and charm of the Emajõgi study trail!

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.