Where to go

RMK Peraküla-Aegviidu-Ähijärve hiking route / Piusa-Pähni (103 km)

 
Võru County, Haanja-Karula Recreation Area
Here the route continues towards Võru County. This section could be well characterised using the words "the largest", "the tallest", "the deepest"... The trail goes along the bank of the Piusa river, the river with the greatest drop, passes Härma wall, the highest sandstone outcrop in Estonia, Suur-Munamägi, the highest peak, and Lake Rõuge Suurjärv, the deepest lake in Estonia.
After Luhasoo Landscape Protection Area the trail gets to Pähni village, where you can find RMK Pähni Nature Centre. Here it is good to start and end the hike. During the opening hours of the nature centre you can replenish your drinking water supplies and ask for information.
This part of the hiking route is definitely the most difficult one, as the trail goes up and down, meandering along the hills and valleys of the Haanja Uplands. To be able to enjoy the magnificent sights around you, it is recommended you complete this section of the hiking route on foot. Moreover, in the most exciting places cyclists and walkers are directed to different paths or roads.
Parking

Parking is available in most campfire sites on this section of the hiking route. See further under the campfire sites on the hiking route.

Water

In this section, there are no natural water-bodies at Piusa, Haanja, Saunamaa and Luhasoo campfire sites.

Amenities

The trail is marked with white-green-white blazes, hiking trail signs and hiking route boards. The rest stops on this section of the hiking route and distances between them:

  • Piusa campfire site-Härma campfire site 11 km
  • Härma campfire site-Make campfire site 8 km
  • Make campfire site-Kirikumäe campfire site 16 km
  • Kirikumäe campfire site-Lake Kavadi campfire site 15 km
  • Lake Kavadi campfire site-Vällamäe rental hut 6 km
  • Vällamäe rental hut-Lake Vaskna campfire site 3 km
  • Lake Vaskna campfire site-Haanja campfire site 5 km
  • Haanja campfire site-Saunamaa campfire site 14 km
  • Saunamaa campfire site-Luhasoo campfire site 19,5 km
  • Luhasoo campfire site-Pähni forest hut 11,5 km

Outdoor Fireplace

Uncovered Fireplace

Covered Fireplace

Additional Information

  • In places the actual hiking route may be slightly different from the one shown in the map. Please follow the marking in the nature.
  • Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy

Restrictions

The hiking route goes through Piusa River Valley Landscape Protection Area, Kirikumäe Landscape Protection Area, Haanja Nature Park, Luhasoo Landscape Protection Area and Pähni Nature Reserve. This section of the hiking route is in the territory of several protected areas, so visitors should have general knowledge of their protection rules. All along the hiking route one should not forget that camping and making a fire is allowed only at places designated for those purposes.

Contact

Telephone: +372 501 9564

E-mail: info.pahni@rmk.ee

Object type: hiking route

Location info

Location : Võru County, Haanja-Karula Recreation Area

The hiking trail is in the lands of Orava municipality in Põlva County and Meremäe, Vastseliina, Haanja, Rõuge and Varstu municipalities in Võru County.

Navigation instructions : In summer it is possible to take a train to Piusa. See train timetable at www.elron.ee.
When coming by car, take Räpina-Koidula Road and turn towards Põlva at Karisilla. Drive 7 km, then keep to the left towards Orava. Drive 10 km to Orava, turn left there towards Piusa. Continue for about 2.5 km until you get to Kliima, and then turn right towards Piusa. After about 4 km (drive under the railway) turn left at the intersection, following the sign "Lõkkekoht". Drive about 0.2 km and the campfire site is on your left.

Telephone:
+372 501 9564
E-mail:
info.pahni@rmk.ee
Object type:
hiking route
Location info
Location:
Võru County, Haanja-Karula Recreation Area
The hiking trail is in the lands of Orava municipality in Põlva County and Meremäe, Vastseliina, Haanja, Rõuge and Varstu municipalities in Võru County.
Navigation instructions:
In summer it is possible to take a train to Piusa. See train timetable at www.elron.ee.
When coming by car, take Räpina-Koidula Road and turn towards Põlva at Karisilla. Drive 7 km, then keep to the left towards Orava. Drive 10 km to Orava, turn left there towards Piusa. Continue for about 2.5 km until you get to Kliima, and then turn right towards Piusa. After about 4 km (drive under the railway) turn left at the intersection, following the sign "Lõkkekoht". Drive about 0.2 km and the campfire site is on your left.