What to do and see in Estonia, Estonia: The Best Valleys

The last ice age moulded the landscape of South Vorumaa so that there are many lakes and valleys. Rouge primeval valley, which is 10 km long and 52 metres deep, has seven lakes: Kahrila Lake, Tougjarv, Ratasjarv, Kaussjarv, Rouge Suurjarv, Liinjarv and Valgjarv. The lakes are connected by the River Rouge or Ajo, which starts from the valley Tindiorg.Tindiorg, Kulmorg, Mohkorg, Oobikuorg, Tinopeetri, Hinni, Sikasoo and Jarveotsa are the tributary valleys of Rouge primeval valley. Oobikuorg (Nightingale Valley), that borders the ancient fort is the most well-known. The valley is 300 m long and 12–15 m deep.Useful information: In spring, when the European bird cherries bloom, the valley is filled with singing nightingales, that's also where the names comes from.

Kavilda Valley is one of the most beautiful natural objects in Tartu County. The Kavild River a flows in the valley. Sandstone outcrops and springs can be seen in some places. The Kavilda sacrificial spring at the edge of the Tartu-Viljandi road is the best known of them. The valley starts near Elva, is about 19 km long and runs into the Emajogi lowland. The Kavilda River flows in the valley. There is a marshy meadow with reservoirs on its banks. The width of the protected part of the valley is approximately 1 km.

Urvaste Primeval Valley is 10 km long with a multitude of deep valleys. It runs through the Urvaste rural municipality from north-west to south-east and is 40 m deep near the church. There are two big lakes in the valley: Uhtjarv, the fifth deepest lake in Estonia (28 m), Loodla (8 m) and the small lake Luhasoo. There is a watershed on the floodplain in the middle of the valley where creeks, nourished by springs, flow into the Vaike-Emajogi river basin and to Koiva river basin through river Mustjoe. The Urvaste Fort or the so-called Old Town stood on the north-eastern shore of Uhtjarv. The sacrificial well known as Silmaveeallikas (Spring of Tears) is located between the Fort and Uhtjarv. There are also a lot of folk legends connected with Uhtjarv.

Kutirog is the biggest and grandest primeval valley in Estonia. The valley is 4.7 kilometres long, 250–600 metres wide and 70 metres deep. Iskna creek flows in the bottom. The woods on the sides of Kutiorg include spruces older than a century and aspens which are exceptionally thick and tall. The mountain sides are cut by gullies the water has made: Suur tsori, Rebasetsori, Juudijooratus and others. On the north-eastern side of the valley you'll find Tammetsoor and Ilmamagi, where sacrifices were performed. There are three watermills in the northern part of the valley, one of which is in working order. Kutiorg is part of the Haanja Nature Park and a special management zone begins north of the ski lift on the eastern side of the valley.

Karksi valley is one of the most beautiful and famous places in Viljandimaa. Driving down along serpentine road over impounded lake Karksi appears Karksi fortress hill or bastion hill. It is believed that on the well protected by nature abrupt-sloped hill before knights conquests situated the fortress of Estonians.Interesting to know:- Order fortress construction started in the 2nd half of 13th century, stone structures date back to 14th and 15th centuries.- In the 1770-s in the ruins was built St.Peters Church in baroque style.- North from the church is situated sepulchral chapel of field marshal Lieven, that was built in 1730.