Places to visit in Viljandi

Nature & parks

Lake Viljandi Beach

Viljandi Lake City Beach is one of the main summer recreation areas near the historic centre. It features a sandy shore, areas for swimming and sunbathing, ball game courts, and a children's activity area with climbing elements and slides. Visitors can rent a boat to view Viljandi from the water, and a 13.5-kilometre trail around the lake, suitable for walking and cycling, runs nearby. Thanks to the combination of water, greenery, and sports infrastructure, the beach is appealing not only on a hot day: it is a convenient starting point for the trail around the lake or for heading back up to the Old Town via Trepimägi.

Indicative price: Beach access is free.

Supeluse, Viljandi

Nature & parks

Lake Viljandi

Lake Viljandi lies in a deep ancient valley right next to the town and forms one of the most recognizable natural landscapes in the region. The body of water stretches for about 4.6 kilometers, and its shores are connected by a popular walking and cycling route. On the opposite side of the lake, there is a viewpoint from which the silhouette of Viljandi on the slope is particularly clear. The lake is also closely connected with local culture — its image is well known in Estonia thanks to the song about the boatman of Viljandi. This is a great option for those who want to trade medieval ruins and museum exhibitions for a peaceful walk by the water, nature watching, and panoramic views of the town.

Indicative price: Walking around the lake is free.

Järve tänav, Viljandi

Nature & parks

Viljandi Oak and Swing

The Viljandi oak and swing stand beside Pikk Street, at a spot overlooking Lake Viljandi and the green landscape of the castle hills. The swing hung from the branches of a large oak has become one of the town's distinctive places for a walk and a photo. Old-town streets, tall trees and wide views over the lake valley meet here. The stop suits especially those who want to explore Viljandi on foot and notice smaller but memorable places between the well-known sights. It is a natural and urban setting in open public space; when visiting, keep the weather in mind and use the swing safely.

Pikk tn 29, Viljandi

Nature & parks

Viljandi Rotary Disc Golf Park

The Viljandi Rotary disc golf park is in the Männimäe district on Huntaugu Hill, near Lake Viljandi. The eighteen-basket course runs through varied terrain and combines exercise, play and enjoying lakeside nature. The park suits both local enthusiasts and visitors who want to spend active time in town. To play you need disc golf discs, which can be rented from a separate service provider if needed. The course is outdoors and accessible outside normal opening hours too. When visiting, be considerate of other players, walkers and the terrain.

Indicative price: Use of the course is free; disc rental is charged separately according to the price list.

Toome tn 25, Viljandi

Nature & parks

Viljandi Castle Park Sandstone Outcrop

The Viljandi Castle Park Sandstone Outcrop lies in the heart of the town, on the southern edge of the Castle Hills. Sandstone from the Middle Devonian period is exposed at the surface here, revealing the area's geological history. The outcrop is up to about six metres high and roughly eighteen metres long. Nearby is a spring with a protective shelter built over it. It is a natural attraction in its own right within the historic park, not part of the castle walls. The outcrop can be viewed on a walk, but to protect the fragile rock surface and the surrounding nature it is best to keep to the designated paths.

Lossimäed, Viljandi

Nature & parks

Loodi Hell Valley Hiking Trail

The Loodi Hell Valley Hiking Trail starts in Loodi village, Viljandi County, near the manor's mill pond. The trail, about two kilometres long, runs through a valley with sandstone outcrops towards Paistu. The best-known stop is the Loodi Hell outcrop, at the foot of which is a cave with a spring. At the start of the trail there is a rest area with campfire and camping facilities; the outcrop can also be reached from Paistu centre. Take an unhurried pace to see the valley's natural formations, and bear in mind that sections of the trail can be slippery in damp weather.

Pöögi, Loodi küla, Viljandi vald, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Olustvere Manor Park

Olustvere Manor Park is in the small town of Olustvere, Viljandi County, and surrounds a historic manor complex. In the park you can stroll among ponds, bridges and old trees and take time for a picnic. The manor also has an animal park where you can see horses, goats and alpacas. Several craft workshops operate nearby, but their workshops require a separate arrangement and are not simply part of a park visit. The park itself is open around the clock; opportunities to see the animals and visit the buildings may depend on local arrangements.

Talli tn 5, Olustvere alevik, Põhja-Sakala vald, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Sinialliku Hiking Trail

The Sinialliku Hiking Trail is in Sinialliku village, Viljandi County, and runs from the lakeshore to springs with bluish water. The colour of the water comes from sediments on the spring bed. Along the trail, about 1.3 kilometres long, you can see both the springs and a nearby hillfort, the site of a fortified settlement of the ancient Estonians. There is a campfire site along the way, and the route can be started from the old railway station or near the Viljandi–Karksi-Nuia road. Visits depend on the weather and trail conditions; take care of nature around the springs.

Sinialliku, Sinialliku küla, Viljandi vald, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Parika Small Lake Nature Trail

The Parika Small Lake Nature Trail starts in Aimla village, Viljandi County, and leads through bog pine forest to a small heart-shaped lake. The out-and-back route of about three kilometres includes a wider section covered with wood chips, rest spots and information boards. By the lake there is a shelter and a jetty; a short boardwalk also leads to a complex of bog pools. The trail shows how drier forest gradually turns into bog landscape. The nature trail lies in a nature reserve, so keep to the marked path and bear in mind the condition of the water and the ground.

Aimla metskond 3, Aimla küla, Põhja-Sakala vald, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Õisu Hiking Trail

The Õisu Hiking Trail is a nature trail of about 2.5 kilometres near the small town of Õisu, Viljandi County. It leads into the valley of the Vidva stream, where sandstone outcrops rise beside the water and the slopes give the trail different heights. One section runs along the edge of the valley, another lower down in the forest, and at one point you need to use a rope on the climb. For that reason the trail is better suited to an unhurried but attentive hike than to a walk on level ground. An information board shows the way from the car park to the trail; in wet weather, expect slippery sections and take care of the protected landscape.

Õisu maastikukaitseala 5, Õisu alevik, Mulgi vald, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Green Rails Trail Viljandi–Mõisaküla

The Green Rails Trail Viljandi–Mõisaküla is a hiking and cycling route that follows the corridor of a historic narrow-gauge railway. The railway between Viljandi and Mõisaküla opened in 1897, and the last trains ran here in 1973. Today’s roughly 46-kilometre trail passes through the forests, fields and villages of Mulgimaa, mostly on gravel and dirt roads. Between Õisu and Abja-Paluoja you partly have to use asphalt roads, as the old railway embankment is not passable along its entire length. The route can be done in full or you can choose a shorter section. The trail combines exercise with discovering the area’s railway history.

Teeristi, Viljandi linn, Viljandi maakond

Nature & parks

Oiu Harbour Trail

The Oiu Harbour Trail is a short walking trail in Viljandi parish on the shore of Lake Võrtsjärv, centred on a raised wooden walkway built over a floodplain meadow. The roughly half-kilometre structure starts at the boat jetty and rises in a gentle arc towards the lake. At its highest point the ground is about four metres below the walker’s feet. Twelve double-sided information boards along the way tell about the area’s nature, local life and history. Thanks to its short length, the trail also works as a stop on a longer trip along Võrtsjärv. The trail offers views over the floodplain landscape and towards the lake.

Laine, Oiu küla, Viljandi vald, Viljandi maakond