"As soon as we jump in the water we are all the same!". Interview with Christian Troger http://t.co/4d664zHY
Otepää Seikluspark is located in South-Estonia, in the wonderful Otepää Nature Park. The small hilltop town of Otepää is the centre of a picturesque area of forests and lakes, scenic hillsides and crisp rivers. The district is beloved by Estonians for both its natural beauty and its many possibilities for hiking, biking and swimming in summer, and cross-country skiing in winter. It is the most well-known winter sports centre in the Baltics and the Winter Capital of Estonia. Some have even dubbed this the 'Estonian Alps' - a teasing reference not to its 'peaks' but to its lovely ski trails.
Otepää got its name, which in Estonian means "bear's head" after the shape of the castle hill - which reminds you of a bear's head. It's also where in 1224, Bishop Hermann started building the first known br ick castle in Estonia, The Stone Fort.
In summer you can hike along the paths of the Otepää Nature Park, see the landscape of rolling hills and lakes, romantic winding village roads and small rivers. Beautiful views open from observation towers on top of Tehvandi and Harimägi hills. You can have a good time at lake Pühajärve, which is a jewel among Estonian lakes. Pühajärv was also the first Estonian lake to earn the Blue Flag in 2000.
Those who believe in supernatural power should pay a visit to the so-called "energy pillar" in Otepää. It is believed that when you touch it, it will give you a great shot of energy and good health.
In wintertime Otepää is a winter sports paradise for skiers, snowmobile riders and for anyone who enjoys the snow: there are slalom slopes equipped with elevators and lots of cross-country tracks.
Tehvandi Centre is recognized as an all year round training area among high level sportsmen and Kääriku has, for more than half a century, been a favorite of Estonian winter sports fans.
If you don’t like crowds and sports then it’s always possible to go on hiking trips to the picturesque landscape around Otepää, try an Estonian hot smoke sauna and bathing in an icy lake afterwards.
Otepää is an ideal location for sports, hiking, swimming, fishing, skiing, skating and snowboarding. It’s a perfect holiday spot for families and young people who are interested in an active holiday.
Things to see and do in and near Otepää:
- Otepää Ski museum
- Lake Pühajärve
- Estonian Flag museum
- Sangaste castle
- Otepää town hill, ruins of the bishop‘s castle
- Monument of the victims of the war of independence
- Energy pillar
- Monument of the visit of Dalai-Lama
Tehvandi skiing centre - Kääriku skiing centre
- Pühajärve spa
