Lake Viti hiking trail and observation tower

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.

Hinni Canyon is located in the special protection zone of Haanja Nature Park and is a unique canyon valley in all of Estonia. Hinni Canyon has cut into Devonian era sandstone. It is a 15-20 m deep and 300 m long ravine with steep slopes, at the bottom of which flows the fast-flowing Enni stream. When visiting Hinni Canyon, it is worth considering that here you can experience the true power of nature: the sandstone cuts through the landscape, deep in a transverse direction, the slopes rise around – this is a rare and visually impactful place in Estonia. The trail at the bottom of the valley runs alongside the stream. Enni stream flows quickly and adds the sound of water and fresh air to the adventure. Moreover, in the outcrops, you can notice indentations, smaller caves, and more secluded inner cuts, creating a mystical feeling. From a nature conservation standpoint, it is important that this place is located in the special protection zone.Good to know: there is no additional lighting at the site, so it is best visited during the day. Since Hinni Canyon is partially located on private land, walking with dogs is not allowed!

Kirikumäe's 3.2-km-long hiking trail winds around the lake of the same name, which is known as the best swimming area in the region. There is a bog on the southern shore of the lake and the hiking trail also runs across the bog. For this purpose, a boardwalk has been built there. In any case, however, you must be prepared to get your feet wet here and there. There are information boards, campfires, and forest trails on the track.

The Rõuge Primeval Valley hiking trail is as straight as a line, 10 km long, it begins at Hinni Canyon or in the Ööbikuoru Centre parking lot. Beginning at the Ööbikuorg start point, the trail runs along the shores of seven lakes towards Hinni Canyon and offers hikers an opportunity to observe the workings of the area's water rams, see the deepest Estonian lake – Rõuge Suurjärv and visit Rõuge Park.Further on, on the shores of Lakes Ratasjärve, Tõugjärve and Kahrila, hikers can see the local forest communities, rest in meadows or enjoy the village landscape and proceed along the short path towards Hinni Canyon.

The Elva primeval valley hiking trail is a 15.5 km long trail located in the Elva landscape protection area with alternating terrain for those who want to hike for several days. On the trail, you will find various forest landscapes, sandstone outcrops, wonderful forest lakes, Viti observation tower, floodplain meadows, trenches, beavers, and the kingdom of ants. There is also a Witch's House and Adventure Trail on the trail.The primeval valley trail starts and ends at the Tartu County Recreational Sports Centre. The scheme of the hiking trail with camping and campfire sites (including the Illi camping area) can be found HERE. The black or yellow numbers on the track indicate the kilometers travelled.Please respect the nature while you're here!

Harimägi is one of the largest mesas in the Otepää Uplands (211 m above sea level). It is worth coming to Harimäe whenever you are near Otepää. The Harimäe Observation Tower is located 3 km from Kääriku in the direction of Sangaste. The height of the tower is 28 m, and the highest viewing platform is 24 m high. The tower offers views of the Otepää mountains and across the Väike Emajõgi valley to the Karula upland. Camping is also allowed at the tower. Good to know: Harimägi is also called 'Leenard and Leonhard's hill.' From 1816 to 1819, geodetic surveys were carried out here by the internationally recognised astronomer and surveyor Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struwe (1793–1864).

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!

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.