This part of the Forest Trail gives an opportunity to see Setomaa or “the Land of Setos” which is inhabited by Setos – an ethnographic group with specific ancient traditions and a unique language dialect. Forest Trail hikers can visit the traditional Setos homestead and enjoy Setos cuisine. The forests of the region are especially charming in early autumn, when the ground is coloured lilac by the blooming heather. There is a good chance to pick wild mushrooms and berries. One of the most beautiful sections of this trail in Setomaa leads along the River Piusa, where the river is surrounded by sandstone outcrops. You will also visit the Piusa caves. The tour will end in Värska resort – with its sanatorium and SPA, which use the strengths of local nature: mineral water and lake mud. Värska mineral water is well known in Estonia and elsewhere.

Atrodas starp Kr. Valdemāra un Kuršu ielām. Viena no iespaidīgākajām un greznākajām pilsētas celtnēm, kas būvēta neoromantikas formās. 19. gs. beigās katoļu draudze nevarēja saņemt atļauju jauna dievnama celtniecībai, tādēļ uz vecās ēkas uzbūvēja jaunu, kur vecā baznīca tapa par lielākās ēkas sānu kapelu. Baznīcas sienas un koka griestus rotā attēli ar Bībeles sižetiem. Dievmātes kapelā saglabājies mazās baznīcas (no 18. gs.) centrālais altāris. Baznīcas griestos ir iekārts burinieka modelis, ko dāvinājuši vētras laikā izglābušies jūrnieki.

Rokdarbniece Vineta Meistere piedāvā apskatīt, pasūtīt un nopirkt gleznas, dienasgrāmatas un recepšu grāmatas, kas izšūtas krustdūriena tehnikā.

This is Latvia’s first major hydroelectric power plant, and construction along the right bank of the Daugava began in 1936.  The plant was designed by the architect Eižens Laube.  The first hydro-aggregate (17 MW of capacity as the largest plant in Latvia) was switched on in 1939.  A second round of construction occurred between 1976 until 1979, the result being a new building on the left bank of the Daugava, increasing the capacity of the plant to 260 MW.  Another round of reconstruction occurred between 1998 and 2001 on the left bank of the Daugava (the HES-2 plant).  The Energy Museum is now there.

Dodieties ekskursijā, lai gūtu ieskatu lauku profesijā un dzīvesveidā, kā arī iegūtu jaunus iespaidus un labu atpūtu visai klasei. Ekskursijas laikā apmeklējiet Salmu muzeju, kur apskatāmas gandrīz 500 salmu skulptūras un lelles, kā arī iespēja darboties radošajā darbnīcā un iegūt pamata prasmes darbā ar salmiem un sienu. Pēc tam apmeklējiet zvejnieku sētu, kas piedāvā aktīvu atpūtu pie jūras ar visādām izdarībām jūras krastā, zvejnieksievu stāstus par vēsturi un sadzīves "teijātri" vietējā dialektā, ieskatu zivju kūpināšanas procesā un, protams, mielastu ar riktīgu vietējo zivju izgaršošanu. Ekskursijas noslēgumā dodieties uz mini zoo, lai iepazītos ar eksotiskajiem dzīvniekiem un mājdzīvniekiem, kurus iespējams pabarot, kā arī samīļot.

There are both sandy beaches with a good infrastructure and a rock beach in Roja.  The rocky beach leads to a huge rock that is 2 m high and 12.5 m in diameter.  The coastline is lovely with its scattered stones and its unhurried rhythm of time.  At the place where the Silupīte River flows into the sea there are remnants of ancient wooden boats and iron nails.  In 1939, Roja became the starting point for a closed zone, because the Soviet army and navy were sited there until 1993.  The dunes at Krasta Street feature Soviet heritage, including a large cement wall from which border guards used to monitor the sea and catch those who violated the border.  Behind the dunes was a base for border guards with everything they needed.  Roja housed a Border Guard post and an air defence radio locator. (Source: Roja TIC)

A wooden church was built here in 1766, and the new brick church was built on the foundations of the old church and consecrated in 1868.  The tall steeple of the church helped ship captains orient themselves during the daytime.  An altar painting by Gunta Liepiņa-Grīva, "Christ and Peter on the Sea," was consecrated in 1993 to replace the former painting, which was lost.  The blue-white-green Livonian flag was consecrated at the Mazirbe manse (now a recollection centre) on November 18, 1923.  Near the manse are several rocks which stand witness to the Black Plague in 1710 and 1711.  The text in Latin said that Livonians on the coastline were conquered by Swedish King Karl IX and the bubonic plague.  The texts on the rocks have eroded away, but records of them were made.  The Mazirbe cemetery has a monument to Old Taisel, a monument to the parents of captain A. Bertholds, and the legendary grave of a werewolf. 

Setomaa has been inhabited for about 8,400 years, which makes it one of the oldest human settlements in Estonia. It is located on the border of Eastern and Western civilisations, bordering Russia, Latvia and Estonia. Setomaa is famous for its well-preserved traditions and culture. For centuries the local handicraft skills have been passed down within families. Seto polyphonic singing (Seto leelo) is inscribed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Setos have distinctive national costumes, rich in detail and unique to each family. Perhaps most impressive is the distinctive array of Seto jewellery. These visually striking pieces not only reflect the social standing of the wearer but are also worn as a safeguard from misfortune. To this day, the Seto lifestyle remains closely tied to nature. It is common practice for the Seto not only to enjoy the natural beauty of the forest but to also use its gifts. Berries and mushrooms are picked freely in their seasons.

It is best to start the tour from Võru and finish in Tartu.

The Viesīte Lutheran Church is in Kaļķu Street in the western part of Viesīte, on the so-called Vales hillock which was left behind after the Ice Age. An interesting fact is that the defenders of Viesīte defeated the Bermont army here in 1919. The cornerstone for the church was laid on August 15, 1937 (a commemoration day for military heroes). The building was consecrated in 1939 and restored in 1994. Financing was provided for the construction of the church by Professor Pauls Stradiņš. The altar painting is by Ligita Caune. To the East of the church, at the foot of the Vales hillock is a monument to Stradiņš.