On the eastern shore of Lake Võrtsjärv, the Estonian University of Life Sciences’ Lake Museum is located at the Limnology Centre. Its offerings give a trip to Vehendi a clear connection to the lake: they include fishing lessons and boat trips on Lake Võrtsjärv, as well as guided kicksled hikes to Tondisaar Island and the surrounding area. Planning therefore depends on the activity in question. Fishing, trips during the navigation season and hikes when ice conditions are safe are subject to different conditions and should not be considered interchangeable activities available at any time.

Fishing and boat trips on Lake Võrtsjärv

The Lake Museum offers fishing lessons using a simple handline at its own pier and fishing jetties during the ice-free period. The focus is therefore on lessons using a specifically named fishing method, with clearly defined location and time frame. Boat trips take place on Lake Võrtsjärv. They are available only during the navigation season, from May to September, and only when weather conditions are favorable. For a boat trip, both the time of year and the weather matter. If you are planning this activity for your stay, check the trip dates for your intended period. Fishing lessons are limited to the ice-free period, while boat trips are available from May to September.

Guided kicksled hikes

The Lake Museum in Vehendi village offers guided kicksled hikes to Tondisaar Island and the surrounding area. They take place only when ice and weather conditions are suitable and safe. Planning these tours therefore differs from planning a boat trip during a season with a set time frame: safe ice and weather conditions are the deciding factors. If the hike is a key part of your trip, check before visiting whether conditions are expected to be suitable on your planned date.

Trepimäe: nature reserve and beach

Another way to explore the landscape on the eastern shore is to visit Trepimäe. The nature reserve was established in 1964 to protect a wooded dune area on the eastern shore of Lake Võrtsjärv. The beach in the Trepimäe recreation area is suitable for swimming. The information highlights different aspects: the nature reserve’s history concerns the wooded dune landscape, while the beach offers a specific option for swimming. If you are weighing up nature and swimming, these highlights can help you choose what you want your stay to focus on.

The history of the Lake Museum

The Võrtsjärv Limnology Station’s founding date is considered to be September 14, 1954, when Petseri Farm was purchased for the future center. The Lake Museum developed from the Limnology Centre. The historical connection thus traces the institution’s development from the purchase of the farm for the future center to the establishment of the museum. Visitors who want to learn about its history as well as enjoy activities will find a specific cultural point of interest here.

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