Karula National Park

Karula rahvuspark

Estonia's smallest national park, a gentle landscape of forested hillocks, dozens of lakes and traditional farmsteads. It offers peaceful hiking and canoeing trails through an intimate, glacially sculpted countryside.

Things to do

• Hike the Rebäse Nature Trail — Follow the marked loop through forested hillocks and past small lakes to experience the park's glacially sculpted terrain.
• Climb Rebäsemõisa observation tower — Ascend the wooden tower for sweeping views over the mosaic of forests, hills and dozens of lakes.
• Visit the Ähijärv Visitor Centre — Start your trip here to learn about the park's nature, pick up trail maps and see exhibitions on local farmstead life.
• Canoe on Lake Ähijärv — Paddle across the park's largest lake for a peaceful view of the intimate, undulating landscape from the water.
• Walk the Ähijärv Nature Trail — Take this easy lakeside loop from the visitor centre past traditional farm buildings and shoreline reeds.
• Swim at Lake Savijärv — Cool off in one of the park's clear, small forest lakes on a warm summer day.
• Explore traditional Karula farmsteads — Wander through the preserved historic farms and villages that reflect the region's Võro cultural heritage.

Food to try

• Suitsukala (smoked lake fish) — Try locally smoked perch or pike caught from the park's lakes, a staple of southern Estonian fare.
• Kama — Sample this traditional Estonian mix of roasted barley, rye, oat and pea flour, usually stirred into kefir or buttermilk.
• Mulgipuder — A hearty regional porridge of potatoes and barley groats, often served with fried pork and onions.
• Sõir (Võro curd cheese) — Taste this caraway-flecked homemade cheese made from curds, a specialty of the surrounding Võro region.
• Black rye bread — Estonia's dense, dark sourdough rye bread accompanies nearly every rural meal here.
• Forest berries and mushrooms — In late summer and autumn, gather or buy bilberries, lingonberries and wild mushrooms from the park's woodlands.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the everyman's right — Estonia's roaming rights let you walk, forage berries and camp responsibly on most land, but stay off marked private farmyards.
• Learn a few Võro words — Locals here speak the distinct Võro dialect, and a greeting like 'tere' or 'tervüs' is warmly appreciated.
• Camp only at designated sites — Use the RMK campfire and tent sites within the park and carry out all your rubbish to protect the fragile landscape.
• Plan around limited services — There are no shops or restaurants inside the park, so stock up in Antsla or Valga before arriving.

Nearby

• Rõuge — 26 km
• Otepää — 31 km
• Võru — 34 km
• Suur Munamägi — 35 km