Jogeva County
The landscape of the County of Jõgeva (area 2604 sq km, population about 40,000), stretching from the Centre of Estonia to Lake Peipsi, is very varied. On the Plateau of Central Estonia forests alternate with bogs and even primeval forest can be found here. Vooremaa with its beautiful glacial lakes is the pride of the County. The Nature Reserves of Endla and Alam-Pedja are wetlands of international importance.The most interesting sights of Jõgeva County :In the Endla Nature Reserve (8162 ha), covering three counties (Jõgeva, Järva, Lääne-Viru) the typical Estonian forest and bog landscape, now disappearing from the rest of Europe, have been preserved. Many nature trails of different length have been established in the Reserve. The 1.3km long Männikjärve Nature Trail passes along a plank road. Here you will get an overview of typical bog landscape and characteristic flora. The biggest springs in Estonia - the Springs of Norra-Oostriku - are also situated in the Nature Reserve. From the observation tower, which was supposed to be under a special protection of Juta, the step-daughter of Vanemuine, you can observe the rich birdlife of the lake. The Nature Reserve Centre is located in the former Bog Schoolhouse building of Tooma.In the Landscape Reserve of Vooremaa (9932 ha) there are18 clear-shaped drumlins, 2.5-5 km in length, 0.5-0.8km in width and 20-40m in height with ten beautiful oblong lakes between them. Vooremaa, more than any other place in Estonia, is connected with stories of the national folk hero Kalevipoeg and the drumlins are locally called the furrows of Kalevipoeg.
Elistvere Zoo was established in 1997 on the former Elistvere Manor Park on the shore of Lake Elistvere. Here you can get to know local animals and birds. Currently European buffalos, deer, bears, lynxes and foxes are kept in the Zoo. The living conditions of the animals are kept as natural as possible. In the manor Park there is also the Study Center of Rodents, 2 nature trails and bird observation tower.
