Canoeing:

The River Võhandu

The Võhandu is the longest and most affluent river of Estonia. It is the most important river in South-East Estonia. The sources of the river are placed in Otepää Uplands.
Chief god of Estonians, Uku lives here in his chamber. His chamber is in a cave in a high sandstone rocky wall rising just by the river. The cave is named "War Chamber", it is in Süvahavva village.

On its journey, 162 km long the River Võhandu flows through hills and meadows passing several lakes, it flows through its primeval valley and flows into Lake Lämmijärv ("warm lake") at Võõpsu

Lämmijärv is the part between a Lake Peipsi and Lake Pihkva: narrow and deep from Piirissaare island in the North to Salu island in the South.

There are plenty of sandstone rocky walls about 400 million years of age along the River Võhandu. They are from Devon era.
The river is picturesque, having many rapids on its way.
Romance of old watermills is so exciting that You lose Your sense of time easily.
The beauty of virgin nature is powerful, timeless.

One of the most interesting springs in Estonia, Märaläte ("Broodmare Spring"), is near the River Võhandu. Water falls from the height of 1.25 and 1.4 metres in two springs. They have formed a cave in the ground below, 3.5 metres in depth, named Põrguhaud ("Hell Grave").

Probably we can meet beavers: quite surely on our night trip in torch light.
There are plenty birds, fish and animals, the whole landscape is very beautiful.
The river was once named "Sacred River".

The River Ahja.

There are Taevaskojad ("Heaven Chambers"), Neitsikoobas ("Virgin Chambers") and Salakuulajakivi ("Spy Stone"), Metsakuninga ("King of Forest") throne and sacrifying stone. One of the most beautiful natural object in the primeval valley of River Ahja is Emalätte allikas ("Mother Source spring"). Old folk knew it had ability for curing from diseases, ensures Your happiness in Your marriage and contributes to baby boom in Your family.

In the Virgin Chamber there lives a charming young maiden who is weaving on golden handlooms.
There is no place in Estonia like here that places of wonder would be so near each other.
This beautiful River Ahja, surrounded by sandstone walls is sourced in Otepää Uplands and flows to River Emajõgi ("Mother River").
It even passes some lakes (Kiidjärv).
Woods along the river banks are light, warm and sunny pine woods.
Atmosphere is positive here: Gabriel in Estonian cult film "The Last Relique" survived after being attacked by hostile Ivo with knife and thrown to the River Ahja.

The River Piusa.

The River Piusa is 109 km of length. Out of all Estonian rivers it has the rapiest fall: 2,24 m/km. It sources near Haanja and flows into Lake Pihkva.
In River Piusa we can go canoeing only in April and May while we have high water in springtime, after this season water in the river is too low. But it is marvellous in spring!

On bank of the River Piusa there is one of the greatest castles, a bishop castle of Vastseliina ("New Town"), built in 1342, laying in ruins. It served as Estonian - Russian border between East and West world (and culture) until it fell into decay since the Northern War.

The valley of the river has been taken under the preservation of natural scenery from Vastseliina bridge to watermill Tamme 12 km. Many banks of the valley are straight rocky sandstone walls.

The most natural and wild experiences compared to those from other Estonian rivers You gain just on springtime canoeing trips in the Piusa River.

Put Your cameras ready!
Powerful scenery magnetizing You!