Piusa River Ancient Valley Landscape Reserve
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Attraction
About
The Piusa River Ancient Valley landscape reserve was established to protect the valley through which the Piusa River flows and its Devonian-period sandstone outcrops. The reserve extends through three municipalities: Meremae, Vastseliina and Orava. The valley is up to 35 m deep and 300 m wide in places. The water from the river has been used in the past in 11 mills, of which the Kelba, Tamme and Vaike-Harma mills remain. The sights of greatest natural value on the reserve are its 12 sandstone outcrops, ranging from 6-44 m in height and 20-130 m long. The tallest are known as the Harma walls. To explore the reserve, we recommend taking the Piusa hiking trail, which is 15 km long.