The 10 Best Hiking Trails in Tartu County, Tartu County

The Alam-Pedja Nature Conservation Area is located in the former basin of Lake Vortsjarv. There are 12 flowing bodies of water here whose length totals 115 km, and 55 old rivers with a total length of 51 km. There are swamps, flooded meadows and wet forests between the rivers that are almost untouched by human activity.Two hiking tracks of different lengths with viewing towers have been built for nature lovers (the Selli-Sillaotsa and Kirna hiking tracks).

Ilmatsalu-Karevere Linnutee is a 5.2 km hiking trail that can be passed on foot, by bike, on skis or on a horse.There are five rest areas on the track where you can make a fire and rest your tired feet, and there is also one picnic place.Linnutee connects some of the most exciting bird-watching areas of Tartu County into a chain whose links are the fish ponds at Ilmatsalu, Karevere Bird Conservation Area and Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve. Linnutee has some surprises for hikers all around the year.

The Emajoe-Suursoo marshlands have been under nature conservation since 1981. The eastern part of Tartu County from Kallaste to Mehikoorma is in Peipus Basin. Emajoe-Suursoo marshlands cover the estuarine area of the Emajogi River and consist of Jommsoo, Suursoo, Varnja and Pedaspaa Swamps and Meerapalu Fen. The marshlands cover approximately 25,000 ha, 7,000 ha of this can get flooded. They are the fifth largest marshlands in Estonia and the biggest delta marshlands in the country. The diversity of wet habitats is the most valuable feature of Emajoe-Suursoo.

Location: Pangodi Nature Reserve, Pangodi, Kambja Rural Municipality, Kambja.Start: at the swimming stop near Palumaed Hills (past the Fish Restaurant, left from Kodijarve Park.The length of the hiking track is 1.5 km.There are two fire spots, three shelters, camping options, a court for ball games and DC on the track.

Along the adventure trail you will be accompanied by the secretive glances of fairies, and awaiting you on the banks of the creek will be pokus - creatures from Estonian legend. It will come as a surprise to find yourself on a witch's island, reaching which means you will have to cross the witch's bridge. Then you will find yourself in a true witch's house with climbing frames, a rope walkway, swings and an enchanted forest. When you're worn out from your adventures, you can take a break in the picnic area. The trail is 1.5 km long.

Jarvselja is located 46 km from Tartu and is almost entirely surrounded by swamps. The nature conservation area shows visitors what primeval forests used to look like and we can see what a forest looks like when humans do not interfere with its development: tree trunks are covered in moss, lichen hangs off their branches, fallen trees are hidden under layers of moss and rotting.

Laaniste Hiking Track is suitable for people who:love rambling,enjoy unexpected meetings with wild animals or birds,love sitting by the fire or going on a boat trip down the river,is interested in times long gone,loves discovering things!

The track starts in the north-east and ends on the path that cuts through the south-eastern part of the nature reserve. There is a big information board about the nature reserve at both ends of the track. Passing the track by foot takes about 1.5 hours. The track is on forest paths.

The marked Ahunapalu-Virvissaare Hiking Track is approximately 16 km long plus another 4 km if you leave your car at Meerapalu and go from Meerapalu to Virvissaare on foot or by bike.NB! There is a bird watching tower next to the hiking track, but its condition is not safe for climbing as the soft surface has caused it to lean sideways. Climbing the tower is not safe!