A nature study trail in the southernmost point of Estonia

The 100-km-long downriver marathon runs on the Võhandu River in Võru and Põlva counties and is open all year round on ice-free days.The marathon starts from Võru town, on Lake Tamula and ends in Võõpsu village, Põlva County. The Võhandu River is surrounded by steep forest banks and numerous upright sandstone outcrops. There are several springs and spring caves in the rock walls and valleys. The Võhandu River provides a great rowing experience.Every year, on the third weekend of April, the world’s largest paddle marathon, the Võhandu Marathon, takes place on the Võhandu River, with 1,200 boats and more than 2,500 participants.

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!

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.

The Valgesoo watchtower is located in the Valgesoo bog, which represents one of the 21 places worth discovering in South Estonia and is recommended for all nature enthusiasts.With its eye-catching design, the watchtower overlooks the Valgesoo bog, the pristine-looking primeval forest, and the Baron's pine forest (Parunimännik) and the study trail that runs through it. The 29.7 m high metal watchtower has three intermediate platforms, the last of which is 23.8 m high, with a wind screen and seat benches in the centre. The State Forest Management Centre's campfire site and camping area for up to five tents are nearby.

The Kaljupealse campfire site is located on the banks of the Võhandu River, in a beautiful pine forest. The riverside and high banks offer a beautiful view of the Võhandu River and sand outcrops. The campfire site has a roofed table and benches, a roofed grill, and firewood. The place is ideal for campers, fishing enthusiasts, and as a resting point for guests coming here with boats.Along the high sandy shores, through a beautiful pine forest, there is an unmarked hiking trail where you can enjoy beautiful views of nature or pick berries and mushrooms.

The 7-kilometre-long Rebäse landscape trail is located in the Karula National Park. The trail runs through old farm landscapes, passing the oldest farmstead in the area and the Linnamägi hill with traces of settlement from the Early Iron Age. Hikers can climb up the local "Mount Ararat", see Lake Raudjärv with its ice-cold water, and admire one of the largest gullies of Karula upland.You may need sturdy boots to pass the trail because in rainy weather the trail might be muddy and the boardwalk slippery. The trail also passes pastures, so you might encounter curious but generally friendly cows. Be careful around farm fences, they may be electric!

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.

The recreation area by Lake Pangodi is a popular holiday destination, offering a variety of opportunities to enjoy nature. In the holiday complex, you can swim, camp, and make a campfire. The large lawn by the sandy beach has a children's playground with active holiday elements and a volleyball court. At the beginning of the recreation area, there is a parking lot that can accommodate up to 30 cars. The Pangodi camping area is by the lake, where you can find three campfire sites with canopies and benches. Along the Pikksaare hiking trail (1 km) starting from the car park, you will reach the Pangodi campfire site, which is about 500 m from the crowded camping area in the Pangodi park forest. Be respectful to nature!