Pähni Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is located at Pähni village amid the great forests of Haanja-Karula recreation area.
If you come to Pähni by car, signs direct you here from the Võru-Valga road or, if you come through Rõuge, at the road junction at Krabi village. Right here are the world-famous forest megaphones; the legendary Paganamaa and the scenic Korneti village in Latvia are just a stone's throw away. A number of the best sights of South Estonia (Suur Munamägi, Karula National Park, the southernmost tip of Estonia, Rõuge Ööbikuorg, Koiva-Mustjõe pine forests, Luhasoo bog) are a short distance from here. It is possible to put up a tent and make campfire near the centre at Pähni forest hut.
In the visitor centre you can study the treasures of the forest museum or discover the exhibition by means of a smartphone game. There are attractive exhibitions on butterflies and the unique cross-trees tradition in South Estonia. The forest fairy-tales and the film programme in the local Võro language take the visitor back in time and present the sound of the local dialect. We offer rooms for seminars in the visitor centre, and in summer in the outdoor classroom.
There are many opportunities here to spend time in the nature and it is always useful to come to or call the visitor centre to get the latest information and the best advice. Souvenirs, information folders and hiking route maps are available. Near the visitor centre is a forest hut with two fireplaces. Several hiking trails start and the branch of RMK Hiking Route leading to Peraküla passes here. Guided tours can be booked for both student and adult groups. We also offer routes with exciting tasks to go through and solve on your own.
PhoneTaavi Tatsi, communication manager
+372 501 9564
+372 5691 0529
E-mail info.pahni@rmk.ee
Opening hours30.08.- 30.04. Wed-Fri 11:00-16:00
01.05.-14.06. Wed-Sun 11:00-16:00
15.06.- 29.08. Mon-Sun 11:00-18:00
We kindly welcome you at other times as well, please arrange your visit in advance. You are welcome!
Type of objectVisitor Centre
Parking facilitiesParking area at the Visitor Centre.
Amenities
  • Discount campaign programs for schools and kindergartens in winter, spring and autumn
  • Paid nature education programs
  • Information materials and information on Haanja–Karula Recreation Area and other RMK recreation areas
  • Camping in tents for max 50 people
  • Possible to have a picnic and make campfire
  • Forest and nature events
  • Possible to rent the hall for nature events; max 3 hours, 15 EUR/per hour
Camping facilities yes
Outdoor fireplace yes
Campfire site yes
Wheelchair accessibility yes
Hiking options Pähni forest study trail, Pähni nature study trail, Tõrvandu forest study trail, RMK Peraküla-Aegviidu-Ähijärve hiking route, Forest megaphones
Recycling point yes
SightsThe Visitor Centre is in Haanja–Karula Recreation Area. In Pähni visitors can spend useful hours in the Visitor Centre, recreation facilities and study trails either with a tour guide, on their own, or the combination of the two.
Additional information Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct (freedom to roam), rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
LocationPähni village, Rõuge municipality, 66116 Võru County. Object no 21 on the recreation area map.
Driving directionsOn Võru–Valga road (Road no. 67), 30 km from Võru, turn left at the Matsi junction (when coming from Valga, turn right at 50 km from Valga, follow the sign “RMK Pähni külastuskeskus 6”). Drive 6 km to Pähni village. Yellow building on the right just across the bridge is the visitor centre.
Geographic coordinatesLong-Lat WGS 84
latitude: 57.631338
longitude: 26.770285
L-EST 97 x: 6391091 y: 665464