The Meadow Lodge is located on the southern edge of the Pandivere upland, where limestone soil has created a unique landscape — springs, quarry lakes and mountains with observation towers. Here are the places in the immediate vicinity that we have visited ourselves during the season and we recommend them from the bottom of our hearts.
Swimming places
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Kamarik's career
Nearest swimming spot · fishing · bird watching
The nearest swimming spot from Heinamaa Lodge. A former limestone quarry, which today has been filled with water and has developed into a 3.3-hectare lake, where perch and roach are found in the water. Kamariku quarry is also one of the most species-rich waterfowl communities in Estonia, where more than 17 bird species nest, so binoculars are worth taking with you. The campfire and calm shore sections are suitable for an afternoon stay — as an artificial lake, you have to take parmus into account on the shore, so it is also worth bringing an insect repellent.
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Äntu Valgejärv
Swimming · diving · attraction
One of the best-known and most valued lakes of the Äntu lake system, it was famous for its exceptionally clear and transparent water, so the bottom is also visible from a depth of several meters. There is a singing ground and a jumping platform on the shore, cancer lives in the lake. Äntu Sinijärv is also located in the immediate vicinity, so it is worth doing both at the same time — distance is given as the crow flies, the journey by road is somewhat longer.
Dining places
Pirko Business
Cafe · Rakke
Cafe in Rakke township. Offering locally made savory pies and pastries, home-made steak and soup at lunchtime.
Georg's Dining Room
Dining room · Väike-Maarja
Dining room in Väike-Maarja, where home steaks are offered.
Other recommendations in the region
mountain
Emumägi
Watchtower · The highest peak in Pandivere
The highest point of the Pandivere upland (166 m), on which the observation tower offers a spacious view over the surrounding forest and agricultural landscape. A trail of stump statues also leads to the observation tower, which is only partially preserved today. Suitable for an hour and a half departure.
Äntu Sinijärv
Nature sight · lake
Part of the Äntu lake system and the lake with the clearest and bluest water in Estonia — transparency reaches as much as 13–15 meters, while the depth of the lake is only up to 8 m. High transparency is ensured by the abundant springs at the bottom of the lake, which keep the water cool even in summer, usually around 10–15 degrees. A pleasant stop for a walk in the bosom of nature.
Varangu blue springs
Sources · nature reserve
A group of karst springs where groundwater erupts from limestone soil — is one of the most obvious examples of the geology of the region. Varangu manor is also located nearby.
Far destinations — for a full day out
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Alatskivi Castle
Neo-Gothic Castle · museum · Tartumaa
A neo-Gothic castle with white, tower and jagged gable roofs near Lake Peipsi in Tartu County, a manor house that looks more like a cartoon castle than a regular Estonian manor. The building was completed in the late 19th century from the Scottish Balmoral Castle, modeled after. Today, there is a museum, hotel, restaurant, and the composer Eduard Tubina Museum — is well suited for a full day out. The distance is given as the crow flies, the actual roadway runs along the Peipsi border and is somewhat longer.
