The best hiking routes in Valga County

Valga County, situated in southern Estonia, is defined by its gently rolling glacial topography rather than dramatic peaks or deep gorges. Walkers will find a landscape shaped by the retreat of the ice sheet, resulting in a dense patchwork of small, rounded hills known as kames, interspersed with quiet lakes and peat bogs. Underfoot, the terrain alternates between sandy forest tracks, soft mossy paths, and wooden boardwalks laid over damp ground. This is a region of dense coniferous forests and small-scale farming, where the human footprint is visible but subdued.

For those seeking the most characteristic terrain of the region, Karula rahvuspark offers a concentrated experience of this undulating landscape. Walking here means navigating a labyrinth of small hills where spruce forests suddenly give way to hidden kettle-hole lakes and marshy depressions. The paths in Karula rahvuspark often follow the natural contours of the ridges, providing a mix of firm, needle-covered soil and occasional muddy sections near the water margins. It is a quiet area where the scale of the landscape remains intimate and enclosed by woodland.

In October, the deciduous trees scattered among the pines in Karula rahvuspark turn a deep yellow, contrasting sharply with the dark green canopy. While the well-known trails near the visitor centres can be busier during autumn weekends, the wider network of forest tracks remains largely quiet. Walkers should expect a slow, rhythmic journey of constant short climbs and descents rather than long, flat vistas.