O T E P Ä Ä− the Jewel of Estonian Landscape

Summer is Experience

Welcome to Otepää!

To get to know the charms of Otepää, you have

to stay longer, hike along the paths of the Nature

Park, watch birds and animals, study the variety of

local plants and vegetation, or record the unique

views and moments with a camera.

Hikers are always welcome to the paths of

different length and complexity offering rich

opportunities for discovery.

People fond of sports fi nd their way to Otepää

all year round. As a change to jogging and skiing

paths, there are also opportunities to go in for

extreme sports here.

Winter sports competitions both local and

international often take place in the roundabouts

of Otepää. Annual events are the Wordloppet

Tartu Marathon, competitions of the World Cup

series in cross–country skiing, and competitions in

snow–boarding.

Summer also offers a choice of sports events both

for taking part in and watching.

To a Hiking Fan

To a Sports Fan

If you wish to enjoy nature, to have an active vacation

and to get in touch with rich cultural heritage and

traditional Estonian way of life, come to Otepää!

Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern

Estonia.

Snow is Adventure

In the Otepää pastorate there is the Museum of Estonian

Flag. In 1884 the blue–black–and–white tricolour of

the Estonian Students’ Union was celebrated in local

church, which later became the Estonian fl ag.

The history of Estonian skiing is extensively

introduced at the skiing museum. In 2002 the

museum was recognized by the International Skiing

Federation.

On the Otepää castle hill there was a castle of ancient

Estonians in the 7–8th century A.D. By the 12–13th century

Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern

In the Otepää pastorate there is the Museum of Estonian In the Otepää pastorate there is the Museum of Estonian

Flag. In 1884 the blue–black–and–white tricolour of

the Estonian Students’ Union was celebrated in local

church, which later became the Estonian fl ag.

introduced at the skiing museum. In 2002 the

museum was recognized by the International Skiing

On the Otepää castle hill there was a castle of ancient

Estonians in the 7–8th century A.D. By the 12–13th century Estonians in the 7–8th century A.D. By the 12–13th century Estonians in the 7–8th century A.D. By the 12–13th century

Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern Otepää had become an important centre of south–eastern

Numerous places of accommodation make it

possible to enjoy both the simplicity of farm

life and the sophistication of the manor.

Pubs, restaurants, and cafés offer food,

drink, and entertainment. There are several

night–clubs in Otepää.

When you get a bit tired of the conveniences

of a spa, you can try the traditional Estonian

sauna.

To a History Fan

To a Pleasure–Seeker

Differently from other tourist regions, the peculiarity of

Otepää is that there are two tourist seasons here – summer

and winter. The brand of the town is the title of the winter

capital of Estonia.

Triumph Inspires

Otepää with its developed infrastructure has won recognition as

organizer of major events. The fi rst bigger skiing event took place

here in 1928.

It is in the roundabouts of Otepää where the Estonian Olympic

medallists live and train.

In addition to traditional skiing events, Otepää has also become an

attraction for European snow–boarders.

A lively and attractive family event is the winter fi shing competition in February

on the ice of Lake Pühajärv with its annual number of participants about several

thousands.

Founding of the Tehvandi winter sport training

centre for the Olympic team in 1978 gave new impetus

to Otepää as a sports centre.

The Tehvandi Centre is recognized as a training area

all year round among high level sportsmen. The well

kept cross–country skiing tracks of international level,

2 shooting ranges for biathlonists, K70 ski jump hill,

and 4 smaller ski hills offer opportunities for serious

training.

Triumph Inspires

Kääriku has more than half a century been a favourite of Estonian winter sports fans.

The Kääriku complex, founded at fi rst as a study and training centre of the Faculty of

Exercise and Sport Sciences of the University of Tartu, became soon very popular among

the top skiers as well as amateurs.

In addition to the ski stadium, high quality tracks, and a sports hall, Kääriku also offers

everything for summer training and a sporting vacation.

Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, the Finnish President who loved skiing visited Estonia in 1964

and was taken to a skiing trip near Kääriku. The so–called Kekkonen trip along the

same track has now become a popular annual winter event.

Winter vacation at OtepääWinter vacation at OtepääWinter vacation at OtepääWinter vacation at Otepää is variable. Besides the

opportunity of taking part in great winter events it is always opportunity of taking part in great winter events it is always opportunity of taking part in great winter events it is always opportunity of taking part in great winter events it is always

possible to discover the countryside undisturbed and “far from possible to discover the countryside undisturbed and “far from possible to discover the countryside undisturbed and “far from possible to discover the countryside undisturbed and “far from

the madding crowd”. Thanks to the climatic peculiarities of the madding crowd”. Thanks to the climatic peculiarities of the madding crowd”. Thanks to the climatic peculiarities of the madding crowd”. Thanks to the climatic peculiarities of

the region winter pleasures can be enjoyed on the hillsides the region winter pleasures can be enjoyed on the hillsides the region winter pleasures can be enjoyed on the hillsides the region winter pleasures can be enjoyed on the hillsides

and tracks of Otepää as late as in the beginning of April. and tracks of Otepää as late as in the beginning of April. and tracks of Otepää as late as in the beginning of April. and tracks of Otepää as late as in the beginning of April.

Winter Vacation

Winter vacation at Otepääopportunity of taking part in great winter events it is always

possible to discover the countryside undisturbed and “far from

Tourist Enterprises and Farms Offering Opportunities for Active and Sporting Vacation

In several tourist farms the boldest guests can try bathing in the icy lake after the hot smoke sauna.

Winter offers experience rather different from that of other seasons. Hiking trips in winter are good for getting to know the picturesque landscape around Otepää.

In the roundabouts of Otepää there are hillsides suitable for alpine skiing and snow–boarding and also hillsides good for snow–tubing.

Novel winter attractions such as ATV and snowmobile trips have become popular recently.

Night safaris and sleigh rides are organized.

Winter Vacation

Dashing and Athletic

The Saku Suverull, an international summer competition for skiers at the Tehvandi

Centre gathers the top skiers of the world to participate in roller skiing

competitions. At the time of the competitions several other actions also take place.

At other times the roller skiing tracks are open to amateur sportsmen. Roller skiing

on these tracks takes good preparation and can be a serious effort for a beginner.

The Otepää golf course is unique both for its relief

and for its variable natural environment. The course is

lengthened and made more diffi cult

by several landscape obstacles.

In the Otepää adventure park everyone can put his

or her courage, balance, and

judgement to test.

Dashing and Athletic

In summer sports

competitions swimmers,

sub–water orientation

athletes, lifeguards,

triathlonists, bicyclists,

and runners measure their

abilities.

A running marathon is

a healthy pastime for

families. The marathon

programme also includes

a pole walking distance

for the less trained

participants.

More and more often fans

of healthy walking and

movement fi nd their way to

the well kept paths around

Otepää.

Take Your Backpack and Go!

The variable landscape favors adventurous trips on foot,

on a horse, by bicycle, and by boat.

There are wide opportunities for putting up a tent here; in

addition to that accommodation centres offer different hiking

packages. A guest can catch fi sh and crawfi sh, play tennis and

fun–ball, go to the smoke sauna or simply have a quiet trip in the

nature.

Canoe trips on the rivers and lakes around Otepää always leave a

deep impression.

The greater part of the roundabouts of Otepää is a nature

protection area. This, however, does not mean that the forest

paths are closed for people. Hiking on foot a traveller can

smell nature, gather knowledge, and also to forget the constant

lack of time of townspeople. A trip to nature together with an

experienced guide can become a surprising adventure both for

the adults and the children.

Take Your Backpack and Go!

The pride of Otepää is the jewel among Estonian lakes

Lake Pühajärv. Pühajärv beach was the fi rst Estonian

beach to earn the Blue Flag of friendly environment

in 2000.

From the boat harbour of Pühajärv several kinds of water craft

can be rented.

The majority of the lakes around Otepää have well kept beaches.

TRANSPORT: Guests can arrive to Otepää by bus or by car. The nearest railway station is at the distance of 13 km in Palupera. The nearest international airports are in Tallinn (231 km) and in Riga (220 km).

CLIMATE: Estonia is affected by the proximity of the Baltic Sea - the climate here is generally mild. In summer the average temperature is 20 C (the warmest month being July) and in winter -8 C (the coldest month being February). You must always be ready for a sudden rain.

LANGUAGE: The Estonian language belongs to the Fenno–Ugric group of languages, the closest relative being Finnish. Attendants can generally communicate in English and in Russian.

CURRENCY: Estonian currency is crown. Exchange rates in January 2006: 1 EUR = 15.6 EEK; 1USD = 12.9 EEK

Otepää was fi rst mentioned in writ-ing in 1116 when a Russian leader Mstislav invaded a castle towards west from Lake Peipus named in Novgorod chronicles as Medvežja Golova (Bear’s Head). It is mostly thought that the place name ‘Otepää’ derives from the shape of the castle hill that reminds a bear’s (‘ott’ in the local dialect) head.

This publication is supported by the European Union

Text by Ruta RannuDesign by OÜ Disain ja TrükkPhotos by Jaak Nilson, GeoView, Malev Toom, Toomas Uibo, Annika Metsla, Tiina ViirelaidTranslated by Kersti Unt Printed by Triip

2006

OTEPÄÄ TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRETartu mnt 1, Otepää 67404

+372 766 1200turism@otepaa.ee

www.otepaa.ee