Jaanikeste on the Võhandu: Reservoir, Trails and Cave Folklore

In Jaanikeste, the Võhandu, the Leevaku Reservoir and caves in the river valley shape the surrounding landscape. A marked trail passes through the village and connects it with several other places and the town of Räpina. There is also Kuri Cave, with its folk tale, and Punnküla Cave, also known as Tiketare Cave. This gives you a choice of themes for your trip: a marked route, waterways, or the landscape and stories associated with the caves.

The Võhandu and Leevaku Reservoir

The Leevaku Reservoir, also called the Leevaku Water Reservoir, has a surface area of 46.1 hectares. The Võhandu is the river that flows through the reservoir. The river and reservoir therefore form a connected landscape theme, even though they offer different impressions: the reservoir is a named body of water with a clearly defined area, while the Võhandu flows through the region as a river.

The Leevaku Reservoir is open to the public. Before your visit, check the local access conditions along the relevant shore; public access does not mean that every stretch of shore is unrestricted. This distinction is useful for planning if you mainly want to spend time by the water.

Marked Route and Water Trail

A route marked by RMK starts and ends in the Räpina polder. It passes through Kõstrimäe, Toolamaa, Saareküla, Jaanikeste, Nulga, Rahumäe, Sillapää and Ristipalo, as well as the town of Räpina. This route provides a concrete connection between Jaanikeste and the surrounding places, rather than describing just one destination in the village. It is designated for walking, cross-country skiing and cycling as a publicly accessible route. Since trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the current situation before setting out.

The distinction between land and water routes makes it easy to plan your activity: the marked route is described for three modes of travel, while the 100-kilometre Võhandu Water Trail follows the river. It runs through Võru and Põlva Counties and can be used during ice-free periods. The land route and the water trip are therefore different ways to explore the area; no connection or shared route between the two is implied.

Caves and Stories in the River Valley

Kuri Cave is located within the village of Jaanikeste, on the right bank of the Võhandu. A folk tale is associated with it: according to the story, the Devil’s wife wove cloth on iron looms on the riverbank. The story is a cultural reference point for the area, not an account of a documented historical event. Those interested in local storytelling traditions will find a different theme here than on a hiking or water route.

Punnküla Cave, also known as Tiketare Cave, lies on the slope of the Võhandu Valley, in a four-metre-high Devonian sandstone outcrop. About seven to eight metres of the cave can be explored on foot; how far it is passable may vary with water conditions. So check the current conditions before visiting. The information about the passable length is not a substitute for information about the cave’s current condition or accessibility.

The two caves offer different points of interest: Kuri is known for its traditional story, while Punnküla is notable for its location in the sandstone outcrop and its limited passable length. If you include both in your trip plans, keep in mind that conditions affecting access through Punnküla Cave can change.

A Named Place to Stay in the Village

Kopra Holiday House is located on the banks of the Võhandu in the village of Jaanikeste, near Leevaku, on the Kopra farm. Guests can explore the river’s rock walls and caves by raft and visit the Toolamaa picnic area. This offer is specific to the accommodation and should not be taken as a general offer for the region. If you would like to include this in your plans, confirm the current arrangements directly with Kopra Holiday House.

To decide how to spend your time in Jaanikeste, it helps to consider the specific differences between the options: a marked route suited to several modes of travel, a water trail on the Võhandu, and caves with their own distinctive landscape or stories.

Discover more destinations: Räpina, Toolamaa.

Go to the main travel guide: Räpina.