A dwarf waits in the
woods to welcome you.

About 17 kilometers south of Võru, Suur Munamägi, or "Great Egg Hill" rises out of the earth. At 318 meters or a little more, it's the highest point in the Baltic states. It's part of Haanja Nature Preserve, which is a national park.

Suur Munamägi is just one of many hills in rolling, hilly country so you don't realize it's the one you're looking for unless you watch carefully for the signs. Look for "Suur Munamägi Kohvik" (Kohvik means coffee shop) where you'll find a spot to park. Across the street you climb up a long but attractive staircase.

Half way up, you'll meet a wooden dwarf and find a small cabin. A large wooden spiderweb spreads out over the cabin, giving you the feeling you've wandered into a fairy tale. You can sit on the benches across from the cabin to take a breather before climbing a path to the top.

From the observation tower
on Suur Munamägi, you can
enjoy a breathtaking view
of Haanja Nature Preserve.

At the summit, you have the option, for a small fee, of taking the elevator or climbing to the top of the observation tower to look at the surrounding countryside. There's a cafe where you can get some refreshments if you want. Then take a few minutes to explore around the tower and find the inviting amphitheater off to one corner.