Winter Trails in Ahunapalu: snow shoe hike on Leego winter trail

Did you know that Emajõe river delta is full of strange lines running across the marsh that seem to lead nowhere? These are winter trails that cross the marshes and used to connect otherwise isolated communities and shorten distances during the winter season.

Along them, one could visit one’s hearts desire in the neighboring village, or maybe an inn by the lake in the middle of wetlands, go to make firewood or hay on a “marsh island” or bring your goods to the market in town.

Signs of historical trails can be found in all Estonian wetlands. Old maps and orthophotos are still showing traces of these roads, but on spot they might look like incomprehensible animal tracks. It is very rare nowadays for a human foot to step there, and the horses have not been ridden there for many decades.
The Winter Trails festival will take place under the auspices of the European capital of culture Tartu24, where the Talitei of Emajõe-Suursoo in Tartu The guided snow shoe hikes are part of the Winter Trails in Emajõe-Suursoo festival, which presents heritage, nature and culture in the end of the world in 3 different locations.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
– weather-appropriate (layered) hiking clothing
– high lined rubber boots or waterproof winter boots+leggings
– drinking water

The Leego winter trail hike is 6 km long, 2 km of which will be walked in snowshoes, 4 km with a push sled. The hike lasts 3 hours.

Gather at the Ahunapalu prayer house 15 minutes before the starting time. Parking is 500 m away (marked area upon arrival). At the prayer house, you can see the Winter Trails special exhibition, and several other activities will also take place on the same day.

The cooperation project of Luunja, Kastre and Peipsiääre municipalities is part of the South Estonian community program that is part of the main program of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 and is supported by Leader action groups. Winter Trails in Ahunapalu is organized by Department of Education and Culture of Kastre Municipality (http://kastre.ee). The hikes are guided by Nature Tours Estonia (https://naturetoursestonia.com/loodusmatkad/). The organizers have the right to make changes in the program.

Winter is coming – it’s time to set off for the Winter Trails Festival!