Otepää Nature Center is located in the former building of the Pühajärve forest district near Lake Pühajärv. In September 2013, a permanent exhibition of landscapes of the Otepää Upland and the Otepää Nature Park was opened in the center. Under the guidance of the lesser spotted eagle, the symbol of the Otepää Nature Park, visitors can learn about Otepää landscape patterns, the history of landscape changes, conservation of its biodiversity, oral heritage and nature conservation.

The Otepää region offers many opportunities for active outdoor recreation, including swimming, boating, cycling, hiking, picking berries and mushrooms, fishing and visiting local attractions. Many places of interest are wildlife-based. Harimäe and Kuutsemäe observation towers offer a breathtaking view on the surrounding landscape. It is also worthwhile to climb the Otepää castle hill where the ruins of Estonia's oldest brick stronghold are located. Lake Pühajärv and its surroundings can be studied in detail by taking the hiking trail around the lake or by a walk in the Pühajärve Park. 

According to the conservation policy of the Otepää Nature Park, the main goal of the nature park is to protect, explore and present the natural and heritage landscapes characteristic to the Otepää Upland and its biodiversity. The area of ​​the nature park is divided into 25 special management zones covering 2,382 ha that develop naturally and have no economic activity, and to 11 limited management zones covering ​​19,832 ha. 

​In the territory of the Otepää Nature Park it is possible to find traces from different historical periods since the ancient times. In addition to the Otepää Castle Hill, the sights of more cultural historical value also include the Sangaste Castle Hill, buildings of Arula, Pühajärve and Restu Manors, Kastolatsi Apostolic Orthodox Church, Otepää Parish School, Otepää Parsonage Building and Winter Chapel.

The Otepää Upland, with a surface area of ​1,180 square kilometres, has been shaped by the material accumulated from the formation and melting of glaciers 15,000-10,000 years ago. The Otepää Nature Park is located in the central part of the upland and is a landscape protection area.

Rivers and lakes

  • The Otepää Nature Park was founded in 1957, when the first limited landscape areas were created around Lake Pühajärv and Väike-Munamägi.
  • The nature park is designed to protect the landscapes and biodiversity of the Otepää upland.
  • Lake Pühajärv, located in the heart of the nature park, is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Estonia.
  • The symbol of the nature park is the lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina).
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