Mires

The River Emajõgi and Lake Peipus have played a big role in developing the landscape here. The River Emajõgi that starts in Rannu-Jõesuu from Lake Võrtsjärv and flows into Lake Peipus in Praaga flowed actually in the opposite direction after the ice age – from Lake Peipus to the larger Lake Võrtsjärv. The current direction of the flow from Lake Võrtsjärv to Lake Peipus developed only 6,000–7,000 years ago.

• The first nature reserve in the area was founded in 1939. Then named Kavastu Parish, it was the place where a bird reserve at the estuary of the River Koosa was founded. The Peipsiveere Nature Reserve was established in 2013 by combining three areas – Emajõe-Suursoo bog reserve (established in 1981), zoological-botanical reserve of Piirissaar (1919) and the limited-conservation area of the estuary of the River Emajõgi (2006).
• Emajõe-Suursoo is the largest estuary maremma in Estonia.

Address

Otepää Nature Centre, Kolga tee 28, Otepää, 67405 Valgamaa.

Mon-Wed 9.00-12.00 ja 13.00-16.00

Fri 9.00-12.00

The Otepää Nature Center also serves as the local office of the Environment Board. If you wish to visit the center we advise you to inform our specialists in advance, since sometimes the house may be locked during field work.

• Try not to leave any traces in the nature.
• Ask the permission of the owner when being on a marked/fenced private land.

A good overview of events and service providers in the area can be found on the website of the Otepää regional tourist information center.

Broshure Otepää Nature Park (2019, 24 Mb, pdf)

Murrumetsa hiking trail

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.