Rõuge Nightingale Valley

Ööbikuorg (Nightingale Valley) in the village of Rõuge in South Estonia is a deep glacial river valley overlooked by a remarkable observation tower, designed to look like a pair of birds' nests in a tree. The area around the tower is home to a recreated medieval compound (a group of houses built by history enthusiasts using the tools and methods of pre-Christian Estonians), as well as the Tindioru tourist farm (and Harley club) that features an ostrich/reindeer petting zoo. A hiking trail leads down to the river, where you can find two hydraulic ram pumps - ingenious machines that use the pressure of a simple stream to deliver water up the hill. The oldest of this has been working non-stop for generations.

From the observation tower's parking lot, turn right towards Haanja for a few kilometers of outstanding twisties - you'll come out close to the recommended Suur Muna cafe and the Suur Munamägi mountain, highest point in the Baltics.