Pühajärv lies about 3 km south of Otepää, a long, narrow lake with five small islands and a wooded shore. A path runs almost the whole way round (about 12 km) and is one of the best walks in southern Estonia, particularly in autumn when the birch and aspen turn yellow.
The northern end has a sandy beach with changing huts, a small cafe, and a swimming jetty that fills with Estonian families on hot summer days. In winter the lake freezes solid and is used for skating, cross-country skiing, and (cautiously) ice fishing. Spa hotels around the lake make this the natural place to stay when Otepää itself is full during ski races.