ENG From a distance it doesn’t seem to be a hill at all, but when we get closer to the top, all the surrounding areas will suddenly seem below us (except Suur Munamägi of course)- besides, the other side of the hill seems to be much steeper. Even during early summer, the treeless, flatter side is often covered with snow, as the forested hilltop successfully hides the sun. Haragamägi is 288,6 metres high, and its name probably originates from a person named Harak, although as the word „harakas“ is Estonian for magpie, I would sincirely like to believe an organised gang of birds to be roaming somewhere nearby.
Eestimaa kaheksatuhandelised literally translates to „Estonia’s eight-thousanders“- a reference to what mountain climbers call the highest mountains on Earth. In contrast, the highest geographical features of Estonia are merely hills, about 300 metres from sea level, but because of their unique nature and cultural history are nevertheless worth climbing. The 20 highest hills of Estonia are now marked with caches, all of which are located in the Haanja Upland of southeastern Estonia, within a hiking distance from each other. When climbing on the slopes, you can also try to find the little white signs marking the highest point on each hill- the numbers on them show your current elevation from the sea level. These signs have been created by the so-called Lumeilves (snow lynx) initiative, that challenges you to climb the said hilltops with a two-day hike during wintertime. More information on that here: http://www.haanjamatkad.ee/index.php?page=5&hikings_id=17
When hiking in the nature, be sure to follow the principles of everyman’s right- try not to disturb the landowners on private property and avoid walking on people’s farmyards.
Good luck with the hike!
EST Kaugemalt vaadates ei tundu siin mäge õieti ollagi, aga tipule lähemale jõudes avastame kogu ülejäänud ümbritseva maastiku endast madalamal olevat (Suur-Munamägi muidugi välja arvatud), pealegi on mäe teine nõlv hoopis järsem. Laugem ning lagedam külg on varasuvelgi veel tihti lume all, kuna metsane mäetipp varjab päikese. Haragamägi on 288,6 meetrit kõrge ning nime saanud tõenäoliselt isikunime Harak järgi, ehkki mina tahaksin küll uskuda, et seal ka mingi organiseeritud harakate kamp pesitseb.
Eestimaa kaheksatuhandelised on aardesari, mille eesmärgiks on huvilistele tutvustada meie muidu nii tasase kodumaa kõige taevapoolsemaid piirkondi. Aare on peidetud Eestimaa kahekümne kõige kõrgemaleulatuva mäe otsa, millest kõik asuvad eranditult Kagu-Eestis Haanja kõrgustikul, üksteisest enam-vähem jalgsimatka kaugusel. Kuplitel hulkudes soovitan üles otsida ka valge sildike, mis mäe kõige kõrgemat paika tähistab- leiate sealt numbrid, mis näitavad, kui mitu meetrit te merepinna suhtes parasjagu ülalpool seisate. Märgistused on rajatud seoses niinimetatud lumeilvese initsiatiiviga, mis kutsub kõnealuseid mägesid vallutama talvel kahepäevase matka jooksul. Huvilistele ka reklaam: http://www.haanjamatkad.ee/index.php?page=5&hikings_id=17
Looduses liikudes palun arvestage igameheõiguse põhimõtetega- eramaal viibides jälgige, et te maaomanikke ei häiriks ning vältige taluõuel kõndimist.
Meeleolukat matka!