What to do and see in Voru County, Voru County: The Best Nature & Parks

Lake Suurjarv - Big Lake, or as the locals call it 'Witch's Lake' - forms part of the chain of lakes in Rouge valley. Suurjarv formed at the end of the last ice age from the action of melting ice. It is 13.5 hectares in area with an average depth of 11.9 metres. It is not a closed system, with creeks flowing into it from Lakes Liinjarv, Valgjarv and Kaussjarv. It is the deepest lake in Estonia (38 metres) and has many natural springs along its shores and in its depths. The colour of its water varies from orange to light green. 22 species of plants are found in the lake, to a depth of up to 8 metres. The fish most commonly found in the lake are the perch and roach. The lake is open to swimmers.

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.

Lake Kavadi got its present size and looks around 1880, when Baron Constantin Fr. von Maydell, who had bought the Uue-Saluse Manor, dammed up three small bog lakes. The lake covers 27.4 ha and is situated 210.4 metres above sea level; its maximum depth is 8.2 metres. Lake Kavadi is said to be the lake with the most dissected coastline in Estonia and it is definitely one of the most beautiful Estonian lakes with its four islands. About 400 metres southwest from the lake, there is Haalimagi (height 274.3 metres) that offers splendid views. There is also a hiking trail running around Lake Kavadi that starts and ends in Uue-Saluse Park, where you can put up your tent or take a swim.

The Piusa River Ancient Valley landscape reserve was established to protect the valley through which the Piusa River flows and its Devonian-period sandstone outcrops. The reserve extends through three municipalities: Meremae, Vastseliina and Orava. The valley is up to 35 m deep and 300 m wide in places. The water from the river has been used in the past in 11 mills, of which the Kelba, Tamme and Vaike-Harma mills remain. The sights of greatest natural value on the reserve are its 12 sandstone outcrops, ranging from 6-44 m in height and 20-130 m long. The tallest are known as the Harma walls. To explore the reserve, we recommend taking the Piusa hiking trail, which is 15 km long.

The 3.6 km long Vallamae hiking trail runs straight from its foot to its top. Vallamagi is the second highest hill in Estonia, covered with primeval forests and with very steep slopes, it is 303.9 m above sea level. However, if we take the 84 metres from its foot to its top, we can say that it is the highest hill in Estonia by its relative height. Its slopes are very steep in some places (slanting 35 to 40 degrees). Vallamae forests have been the reserve of fir gene pools since 1992.At foot of the hill there is a hikers’ cabin where you can take a rest and enjoy the primeval landscape (only by prior reservations; to make a reservation, please call the RMK centre at +372 628 1532).

The 1.5 km Rouge energy trail features the objects of renewable energy and their natural and technological application. The energy trail starts at the parking lot of Rouge Stronghold Hill and goes to Tindioru farm, where renewable energy is produced with the help of the hydropower station and two water rams; the trail proceeds to the artificial lake, where you can see a watermill at the overflow. Next the trail will take you to Rouge Basic School, which is heated by using geothermal and solar energy. In the school building you can visit the energy class. Rouge energy trail ends at the hydropower station of the Ala-Rouge Guesthouse.

The Luhasoo nature study trail is 4.5 km long and partly covered with wooden path. On the bog island midway through your journey there is a small cabin in the forest where you can spend the night. Hiking in the flat landscape in Luhasoo is a good alternative to the hilly landscape typical of Voru County; the quietness and stillness of the bog allow you to take a break from the noise of big cities and your daily chores. Luhasoo hiking trail is marked.

The 3-kilometre Pullijarve hiking trail runs along a wooden path and starts from the swinging ground near Misso. The rest area of the hiking trail is on the northern shore of the lake.

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.