The Avi River — also known as the Paasvere River and the Venevere River — rises in Muuga village, flows through the settlements of Avinurme and Lohusuu, and drains into Lake Peipus. The river is 52 km long and drains a catchment of 391 km². Throughout history, the Avi River powered a number of watermills at Venevere, Avinurme, Maetsma and Vadi, and in earlier times at Paasvere and Kaasiksaare as well. The river has also left its mark on cultural history: the Decembrist Wilhelm Küchelbecker, who grew up at Avinurme Manor, immortalised it in a poem dedicated to his brother. Note: The facts presented here are based on publicly available information, including Wikipedia.
Although this section is not particularly long, fallen trees appear at several points along the way and the river's many tight bends demand constant manoeuvring — great practice for honing your paddling skills. The route also features several faster-flowing stretches and two small drops that make for a thrilling ride. Along the way, you'll pass under the Avinurme railway bridge, which you can glide beneath by canoe or kayak. If you'd prefer a shorter outing, you can finish behind the community centre, where vehicles can reach the riverbank — that option covers around 5 km and is ideal for families with children; we have run children's kayaking trips on this stretch as well. Much of the route passes through the Avinurme area, so there are houses along the banks, making this a lively and welcoming section of the river to explore.
When the water level drops below 100 cm above sea level, some sections become difficult to navigate. In summer, certain stretches tend to become overgrown with vegetation, so spring is the best time to paddle these parts of the river.