Discover Upa: Cultural History and Trails on Saaremaa

Upa on Saaremaa combines sites of cultural and historical interest with various trails and opportunities for physical activity. Anyone planning a trip to Upa can choose between active days on the Kudjape–Upa health trails, a five-kilometre nature trail and exploring the history of the place. This combination is also interesting when choosing suitable accommodation: Depending on the travel plans, physical activity, culture and cycling can each take a different degree of priority.

Trails for Physical Activity in Every Season

The Kudjape–Upa health trails consist of several routes. One route is 1 km long and fully lit. Other routes are 3 km and 5.5 km long and covered with woodchips. The trails are suitable for physical activity all year round and for cross-country skiing in winter. Disc golf can also be played on the Kudjape–Upa health trail. This makes it possible to put together different daily itineraries: a shorter loop, a longer route or a sporting activity with its own focus.

Another option is the 5 km-long Kudjape–Upa nature trail. It leads through deciduous and pine forests. The exact length of the trail is a useful reference point for planning the day, while the two types of forest define the character of the route. Anyone who values nature experiences when staying in a holiday apartment or holiday house in Upa can take this trail into account alongside the health trails of different lengths.

Cultural History Around the Upa Prohvetikivi

The Upa Prohvetikivi is a cultural heritage site with a notable cultural and historical background on Saaremaa. It is not under state protection and is known as a meeting place of the Moravian Church. The site was used for prayers, singing and sermons. This history gives a walk through Upa a special thematic focus without limiting the trip to a single experience.

The historic village centre also tells the story of how the place was shaped. It is characterised above all by stone enclosures, including both historic and more recent examples. The vegetation in the area of the historic village centre is largely left in its natural state. Anyone interested in village history, regional architectural styles and the landscape will find several themes here that can be connected during an exploration.

Historical Events Around Upa

The history of Upa also includes the uprising on Saaremaa in 1919, which lasted from 16 to 21 February 1919. On the evening of 18 February 1919, insurgents established their headquarters in the village of Upa near Kuressaare. There they waited for reinforcements and ammunition for the attack on the city. On 21 February 1919, the main forces of the insurgents besieging the city were defeated in a surprise attack in Upa, Vaivere, Kellamäe and Sikassaare. These events also make Upa interesting for travellers who would like to complement their stay with historical context.

Accommodation and Further Travel Planning

Jurna Turismitalu offers accommodation in a deer house built at the beginning of the 20th century and now extensively renovated. For cyclists, a cycle path begins approximately 1 km from Jurna Turismitalu. It runs around Kuressaare to the small town of Salme and the Viking village and is approximately 25 km long. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether walking trails, winter sports, cultural history or a longer cycling tour should shape your stay. For further destinations, you can also visit Nasva and Mändjala.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kaarma.