Võhandu river - Protection area

Nature and Wildlife - Enjoy the nature

The primeval and more advanced part of the river is about 45 kilometres long and is in the middle part of the marathon. In this section there is a 12 kilometres long protection area that includes 300 metres of landscape on both sides of the river. It is the most quick-flowing part of the river and there are many water mill dams. In average, the river descends 1,7 metres per kilometre in this section.

Protection area - Must see

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Sandstone outcrops
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The mills ruins
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Protected area km

 
 

The place is truly a perfect vacation spot as well.

Võhandu River is Estonia's longest river with a beautiful nature.

Nature

After leaving Lake Tamula in Võru, the riverbanks are low, but they rise gradually until after some hours of canoeing the river enters a primeval valley. The steep and forested riverbanks of the primeval valley are interspersed with adjoining valleys and numerous sandstone outcrops. There are many springs and caves in the sandstone cliffs and adjoining valleys. In the last part of the marathon the riverbanks are low again. 

There are great views from the river of wild forests, meadows and sandstone outcrops that our ancestors used to call walls. 

Seven water mills have been built on the river, only ruins are left of some of them - passing the dams of these water mills should get your adrenaline going.