Karula National Park is the smallest nature reserve in Estonia. The area of the reserve, located in Southern Estonia, is 123 square kilometres. The reserve received its status in 1993. The area is sparsely populated, as 70% of it is made up of forests and lakes.
There are many hills here, the highest point of the Karula upland is mount Tornimägi, which is 137.8 metres above sea level. It is located near Lullemäe village. There is an observation tower on Tornimägi, which offers an excellent view not only of the picturesque landscapes of the reserve, but also of the highest points of the Otepää Hills.
There are 38 lakes on the territory of the reserve, which were formed at the foot of the Karula hills during the retreat of the mainland ice. The largest lake on the territory of the reserve is Lake Ekhiyarv, with an area of 176 hectares, and the deepest is Lake Saviyarv, which is 18 metres deep.
Fauna is mostly represented by birds, of which there are about 157 species. Among mammals there are wild bear, American elk, lynx, western roe deer. Of the smaller ones - squirrels, foxes, ferrets, beavers, raccoons.
At the visitor centre, located in the village of Jahijärve, you can find all the information about the structure, structure and nature of the park. In the same centre there are permanent and seasonal exhibitions, where you can learn more about the inhabitants of the of the reserve.
Karula National Park has everything you need for active tourism and passive recreation. There are bicycle trails of various lengths, as well as hiking, educational and walking trails.
It is worth mentioning the long hiking trail, which is 36 kilometres long. It is an arranged circular trail with information boards. Also interesting 7 kilometres long educational landscape trail will also be interesting. There is a car park at the beginning of the trail. The trail is equipped with 16 information boards and there is a viewing platform and a lookout tower. There is also an observation platform and a 30 metre high observation tower at Rebaznyeza. There is also a nature trail in the Karula Nature Reserve, made especially for children. The trail, which starts near the Karula National Park Centre, is only 500 metres long - a distance that even the smallest child can manage. The children's trail has 10 information boards, 7 attractions, as well as 9 themed objects providing opportunities for active activities and games.
