An ATV adventure tour by Lake Võrtsjärv

An ATV adventure tour is much more than a ride along a forest track. It brings together mud, gravel, water, teamwork, a barbecue picnic and a sauna afterwards, all in an adventure lasting around 4 hours in the forests beside Lake Võrtsjärv.

What makes an ATV adventure tour so memorable?

You meet at Valma Puhkelaager, 25 km from Viljandi towards Tartu. Before you head out, your guide explains what the tour involves, the safety procedures and everything else you need to know in the forest. This is more than a formality. With ditches, mud and steeper climbs ahead, everyone needs to understand how the ATV handles and when to slow down.

Next, you put on protective overalls and climb aboard a four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle. The tour uses a 2006 SUZUKI Eiger LT A400 F 4×4 ATV, with protective clothing and a helmet provided. First, you ride around the practice course a couple of times to get acquainted with your “steed”. Only then do you set off on a route of up to 25 km, with the exact terrain depending on the weather and season.

The simple truth is that riding an ATV through the forest is more physically demanding than it looks. Your arms work, your core keeps you balanced and your eyes scan for the best line ahead. When the route takes you over hills, through ditches, along gravel and dirt tracks and sometimes through undergrowth, water and mud, you cannot just sit there and let the machine do all the work.

What happens out on the trail?

One of the tour’s biggest attractions is the variety of terrain. In places, a clearing through the forest looks like a lunar landscape, and the “moon rover” you are sitting on seems just the vehicle for the job. Deep, muddy-bottomed ditches and boggy hollows soon reveal what the machine can do, but also how easily a single misjudgment can get you into trouble.

Honestly, this is the part many people find most exciting. One moment, it feels as though the ATV can climb through anything. The next, even a small riding error can leave you needing a helping hand, a rope or a winch to get unstuck. Teamwork is essential in the forest.

Halfway along the route, you reach a shelter beside a pond deep in the forest. Here, you stop for a barbecue picnic and a break. After a more demanding stretch, it is a welcome chance to catch your breath, swap stories and take a moment to appreciate how much work your body has already done.

Depending on the weather and season, the aim is to cover as varied a range of terrain as possible. Beneath your wheels, you might find gravel, dirt, mud, water or, in winter, ice. Above all, you put your own abilities to the test, along with those of your formidable off-road machine.

What does the adventure tour offer in different seasons?

In winter, the tour also includes ice-track racing on frozen Lake Võrtsjärv. This immediately changes the character of the ride: grip is different, your line matters more and speed calls for an even calmer touch. When the lake is ice-free, the organizer tries to make the ATV stand in for a motorboat, so water obstacles and wetter sections of trail are part of the experience.

The tour runs in all weather, in every season. That may sound tough, but spring, summer, autumn and winter really are completely different experiences in the Estonian countryside. Dry conditions mean more dust and gravel. In autumn and spring, the trail is wetter and more challenging. In winter, cold, ice and snow shape the experience.

Choose your clothing to suit the weather. The organizer provides protective overalls to wear on top, but you still need to dress sensibly underneath. When you are outdoors for four hours, a good mood alone will not keep you comfortable. Clothing that leaves you cold, wet or too hot can quickly spoil the experience.

Practical information before you go

This motorized adventure is slightly more challenging than average. It is physically demanding and makes for a memorable experience. The tour ends on the benches of a hot sauna at either Valma Puhkelaager or Peetrimõisa Villa, where you can swap stories while ladling water onto the hot stones.

Price per participant: Mon–Thu 1990.- EEK, Fri–Sun 2190.- EEK per person. VAT is added to the price. The ideal group size is 4-5 people. Tours for larger or smaller groups are available by prior arrangement.

The price includes: a 2006 SUZUKI Eiger LT A400 F 4×4 ATV with protective clothing and a helmet, an instructor throughout the tour, an organized 4h tour with a barbecue picnic in the forest, souvenirs and 1.5 h in the sauna with sauna beer at either Valma Seikluslaager or Peetrimõisa Villa in Viljandi.

Please note! For adventure tour participants, all services at Valma Puhkelaager and Peetrimõisa Villa: 10 %. Available at an additional charge are transport on the Peetrimõisa Villa–Valma–Peetrimõisa Villa route for 350 .- and accommodation in a standard room for two at Peetrimõisa Villa for 425.- per person.

Duration: 4 hours.
Service provider: Peetrimõisa Villa OÜ, Pirni 4, Viljandi
Location: Valma Puhkelaager, Valma village, Viiratsi municipality, Viljandi County

Information: http://www.peetrimoisavilla.ee/, info@peetrimoisavilla.ee, tel. 43 43 000, mobile 50 36 906

FAQ

Is the ATV tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, provided you listen to your guide’s instructions and take the practice course seriously. The tour is more than a gentle ride along a gravel road, so as a beginner you need to be prepared for physical exertion and more challenging terrain.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that fits under protective overalls. Bear in mind that conditions in the forest can be cold, wet, muddy or windy.

Does the tour run in bad weather too?

Yes, the tour runs in all weather, in every season. The weather is exactly what changes the terrain: sometimes mud dominates, sometimes snow, and sometimes water and gravel.

Author: Valma

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