Trepimäe Recreation Area

Lake Saadjärv is the only lake to make the top ten of both the biggest and deepest lakes in Estonia. It covers 708 hectares and is 25 metres deep at its deepest point.It is the largest lake in the Vooremaa region, located in the Vooremaa Landscape Protection Area on the border of Jõgeva County and Tartu County. Lake Saadjärv and its boulders are associated with the legends of Kalevipoeg, the Estonian mythological hero.Lake Saadjärv is a popular recreational area and it offers activities throughout the year. There are a number of enterprises near the lake which offer a number of exciting activities. Additionally, there are cultural sites, museums, places for spending the night, and several sandy public beaches with playgrounds.

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.

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!

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.

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.

The diversity of sports facilities and beautiful nature bring active people to Kääriku throughout the year.Kääriku Sports Centre was established in 1947 as a study and training centre of the Department of Physical Education and Sport of the University of Tartu. Today, the modern sports centre has a ball hall, tennis and beach volleyball courts, athletics and football stadium, and ski and hiking trails. There is an outdoor swimming pool, the Kekkonen sauna and Green sauna, a sandy beach, and a children's playground by Lake Kääriku. We also offer accommodation, catering, and conference rooms all year round.

The lovely Lake Mooste is a great stopping place for holiday-makers and those wanting to discover Põlvamaa. In Mooste, there is a stunning manor complex that is worth a visit!The swimming area of Lake Mooste has a sandy beach, a swimming platform, changing cabins, a volleyball court and a hiking trail for going on a walk around the lake.Mooste Distillery Guesthouse is a 5 minute walk from the swimming area right on the shore of the lake – here, you can rent a boat for a trip on the lake.

Lake Kamari recreation area has become an extremely popular destination among holiday-makers for its beautiful views and forests. There are two jetties, areas for beach volleyball and football, a shower and toilets, benches and a playground for small children with swings and a slide. The swimming area is marked by buoys and there is also a children's pool.