Kaheksand

Kaheksand is a small settlement located within Põlva Parish in Põlva County, southeastern Estonia. The community lies in a largely rural area characterized by forested landscapes and agricultural fields. Historically, Kaheksand developed around a railway stop on the former Soviet-era line that connected Tallinn to the Russian border. The station, once part of the Tartu–Vladimir Railway, was instrumental in the development of local trade and transportation during the early 20th century. Although the railway line was dismantled in the late 1960s, the remnants of the station building remain as a local landmark and occasionally serve as a community gathering place.

Population figures for Kaheksand, according to the 2011 Census, list merely a few dozen residents, reflecting its status as a sparsely populated hamlet. The demographic profile is largely homogeneous, with ethnicity and language usage closely aligning with broader Estonian patterns. Socio-economic activity in the area is primarily agricultural, with many residents engaged in crop production and small-scale animal husbandry.

The settlement's name derives from the Estonian word for “eighth,” a reference arising from its original designation as the eighth stop along the railway route. Today, Kaheksand remains an example of Estonia's network of historical villages that blend rural tradition with traces of its Soviet-era infrastructure. The community participates in the administrative functions of Põlva Parish and is subject to the regional planning regulations of Põlva County.