Lake Saadjärv

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.

In the heart of the town of Elva, located in Tartu County, lies the scenic Arbi Lake, offering visual beauty with its rich vegetation, illuminated nature trails, and surrounding pine forest, as well as plenty of activities for every visitor. The 1.2 km-long circular gravel path by the lake starts at the beach and is ideal for walking, running, and cycling. The promenade offers various leisure opportunities – here you can relax, enjoy the quiet and beautiful views, or taste currants picked directly from the bush. Near the lake is the Elva Cultural Center, where you can visit free exhibitions and learn about local life. Hansen Avenue, which intersects with the nature trail and offers excellent views of the lake, is a popular spot for walkers and has served as a romantic setting for several weddings. Along the nature trail, there are 10 information boards and stands that offer a comprehensive overview of life around Arbi Lake and its shores, revealing the long-term connection between humans and the lake.

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 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.

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.

Räpina beach is the perfect place for a holiday and for all kinds of water sports. The favourable winds have made it a popular destination among kite-surfers and windsurfers in spring and summer. There is a viewing tower on the beach that has excellent views over the polder, to Lake Lämmijärv and across the border into Russia. The beach is lit at night.

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!

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.