T\u00f5rva health trail is 11.1 km long and it runs among beautiful places with diverse nature. The hiking trail starts from the park of T\u00f5rva Gymnasium and there are several sights along the trail: Keisripalu forest, Orjakivi sacrificial stone, Helme cemetery, Tikste ancient valley with Tikste and Pokardi reservoirs and Tikste creek, on the shore of which you can see a sandstone outcrop and a spring believed to have medicinal powers. The trail also passes through an arboretum, Tantsum\u00e4e and Linnam\u00e4e hills, next to the trail are the lakes Riiska and Vanam\u00f5isa and the river \u00d5hne. Various activities promoting movement and health sports take place on the T\u00f5rva health trail all year round: Tantsum\u00e4e hill run, cross-country bike winter and summer cross, T\u00f5rva triathlon, T\u00f5rva three lake run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Taagepera-Ala hiking trail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Taagepera hiking trail with a total length of 5.4 km starts and ends at the Taagepera campfire site where camping is also allowed. The trail partly runs along the banks of the river \u00d5hne and is also passable in smaller circles (1.6 km and 4.0 km in length). The trail has wooden signposts and an information board. The main attractions along the hiking trail are the castle and the castle park, Taagepera church and cemetery, the family burial plot of the barons, \u2018Musukivi\u2019 rock, a sacrificial stone, an underground cemetery and the river \u00d5hne. A truly inspiring hike intertwined with history, architecture and primeval nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lake Koork\u00fcla Valgj\u00e4rv<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lake Koork\u00fcla Valgj\u00e4rv and the campfire sites are located in the Sakala recreation area. The lakeshore, with the most beautiful sandy beaches in this area, is an ideal place for family holiday. The first campfire site is large enough for several groups of people and the sandy beach also provides an opportunity for swimming. The second campfire site is suitable for a modest lonely wanderer. Camping is allowed at both campfire sites. According to the local lore you have to be careful when swimming there because the location of the onetime manor is on the bottom of the lake and water-dwellers live there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lake T\u00fcndre campfire site and nature reserve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lake T\u00fcndre campfire site and nature reserve are also located in the Sakala recreation area. It is possible to spend a longer holiday on the shores of the beautiful lake T\u00fcndre. The solid shelter protects against poor weather and the place also has a dry toilet, an information board, a campfire site with a roof and a barbeque grill, a woodshed and a swimming site. There are a lot of fish in the lake and it is a perfect place for a warm swim in the summer. To launch a boat, go to the adjacent T\u00fcndre campfire site. The forests around the lake are full of berries and mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pikasilla recreation area<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pikasilla recreation areaat the southern tip of lake V\u00f5rtsj\u00e4rv is easily accessible and strategically well located by the waterway (at the mouth of the river V\u00e4ike Emaj\u00f5gi). The place is known as a venue for various sporting and public events. The area has various sports facilities, boat harbour with rental, children’s playground, camping area, campsites and a campfire site. Washing and cooking facilities are also available. The place is highly valued by both local and distant fishermen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rubina swamp and bog<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rubina bog is located in the southwest corner of lake V\u00f5rtsj\u00e4rv and is also known as Lagesoo and T\u00f5rusoo. It is one of the largest, most valuable and best-preserved bogs in the region. Rubina bog is an old and well-developed swamp created over several millennia with its characteristic hollows, numerous bog pools and bog lakes. Based on the map and aerial photography, more than 400 bog pools with a total area of \u200b\u200bapproximately 18 ha have been distinguished. There are also larger bog lakes which can stretch up to a few hundred meters long. Many birds have chosen Valga county\u2019s Rubina bog as their nesting place. Lake Veisj\u00e4rv which is situated in Viljandi county, with its boggy shores, is an important feeding area for the birds. The pine forest on the sand dunes is a suitable habitat for the Western capercaillie, lesser spotted-eagle and other rare birds. Bears, elk, wolves and lynx tread the grounds of the nature reserve and deer live nearby. You can also take part in bog shoe hikes organized by Imre Arro (more information at loodusturism.ee). The bog shoe hike takes place in a waterbody-rich swamp and during the hike traces of animal activities are introduced, searched and explained (excrements, feeding traces, markings of the territory, bone remains etc.). Knowledgeable guides talk about the behavioural habits of animals and birds and other adventures in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Voorem\u00e4e recreation area<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b\u200bVoorem\u00e4e recreation area on the southern shore of lake V\u00f5rtsj\u00e4rv is known for its hill fort from the beginning of the second millennium, to which several legends are also associated. It is a peaceful and relatively remote place, which is enjoyed precisely because of the natural beauty of the place and the great view from the top of the hill fort. The place is also known as an excellent bird watching area. In 2010, the roadway was reconstructed in cooperation with the V\u00f5rtsj\u00e4rv Foundation and Puka parish and also a proper boat dock was built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Soontaga hiking trail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The trail runs along a typical southern Estonian mixed forest terrain, reaching the river V\u00e4ike Emaj\u00f5gi. There are several information stands along the hiking trail that describe the nature of the area. The 2.9 km long trail has signposts and two bridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location on map<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Helme caves<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably the most magnificent grottoes in Estonia can be seen in Helme manor park. White sandstone is exposed by about three meters in the caves, north of the castle ruins. The cave system once consisted of seven halls connected by passages, the largest of which was called the Church of Moses, however, by now some of the caves have collapsed. By the way, the caves were originally carved by springs but people have expanded them later and used as a refuge. Helme caves have also been called Hell among the ancient people. It is always a pleasure to take a small hiking trip around the caves, castle ruins and Helme manor territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/torva.ee\/turism\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/05\/KL-05059-1024x682.jpg\")
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