Antsla: Forest Trails, Karula and History

Antsla combines short nature experiences, extensive hiking landscapes and a local history closely linked to roads, railways and markets. The Kasumetsa Health Trail on the outskirts of Antsla offers a special way to get started: both routes are illuminated. You can choose between a longer 2.2 km route and a shorter 1 km route.

Forest Trails and the Landscape of Karula National Park

The Kasumetsa Health Trail is located in a forest massif managed by RMK. The two different routes provide a clear framework for planning your day without requiring you to commit to a single route length. For a longer hike, the long hiking trail in Karula National Park is an option. It is designed as a circular route, has no fixed starting or ending point, and is marked in both directions.

The 123 km² Karula National Park lies in the southern and southwestern part of Antsla Municipality. It also extends into Valga and Rõuge municipalities. It protects the forest- and lake-rich hilly landscapes typical of southern Estonia, protected species and the cultural heritage. This means the range extends from a manageable route on the outskirts of the town to a landscape where you can plan longer days of hiking.

Uhtjärv also has its own distinctive character. The lake is 28 metres deep and is considered the fifth-deepest lake in Estonia. The recreational area at Uhtjärv has a picnic area, a small sandy beach and a bathing area. Near the visitor centre in Ähijärve there is also a children's nature trail intended mainly for younger visitors. Facilities include a playground, a slide, an observation tower, swings, a sandbox and a rope carousel.

Local History, Markets and Manor Parks

Antsla developed in the last quarter of the 19th century around the Siksälä inn at a busy road junction. In 1889, the traditional fairground was moved to the vicinity of the railway station and the inn. The settlement around the railway station was given the name Hauka, which derives from a local historic farm. The Valga–Petseri railway line, completed in 1889, gave Antsla a strong boost for development; the station was named after the nearby Uue-Antsla and Vana-Antsla manors.

The Hauka Fair is also part of the town's history. It was first mentioned under this name in an official fair announcement in 1903, for 20 March and 23 October. During the Hauka Fair, the streets of Antsla become a densely populated open-air department store or, in other words, a large open-air market. Traders, buyers, entertainers and spectators meet there; the fair has a tradition of more than one hundred years. A monument to the Estonian War of Independence also stands on the former fairground.

Other cultural and historical destinations add to the character of the area. The present-day Urvaste Church was consecrated in 1889 and is a three-nave basilica in the Gothic style. The Vana-Antsla manor complex was first mentioned in 1405. Its park was laid out at the end of the 18th century and features avenues and ponds.

Choose a Holiday Apartment to Match Your Travel Pace

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Antsla, it helps to first determine your preferred travel pace. For short walks, nature observation and stays with younger children, the illuminated Kasumetsa Health Trail and the children's nature trail are useful points of reference. Those who prefer longer hikes can align the location of their accommodation more closely with their planned nature days in Karula National Park. Uhtjärv, Urvaste Church and Vana-Antsla Park are also suitable for varied excursions.

An unusual addition is Liikluslinn: the covered traffic city has functioning traffic lights and big-city lighting. It also has a Formula track and a practice area for cycling. This makes it possible to combine nature, history and playful traffic experiences in one stay without limiting the trip to just one activity.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare other destinations at the same destination level alongside Antsla, you can also explore Juba, Mae–suhka, Rõuge, Haanja and Võru.

For the higher-level travel overview: Võru.