Ketsu and Hammaslahti: Nature Trails and Dance Culture

Ketsu is a district of Hammaslahti in Pyhäselkä; its name is connected with the natural place name Ketsunsuo. For days in nature, Hammaslahti has two trails of different lengths. Lemmenlava, a dance pavilion in the vicinity of Ketsu, adds summer dance events to the range of day-trip ideas. The trails are in Hammaslahti, and Lemmenlava is in Hammaslahti, near Ketsu.

Ketsu and Hammaslahti at a glance

• Ketsu is a district of Hammaslahti in Pyhäselkä.
• The Elovaaran Nature Trail in Hammaslahti is 1.5 kilometres long and marked with signposts and yellow markers.
• Along the Elovaaran Nature Trail, there is a shelter, a campfire site and a toilet.
• The Harjupolku is 2.5 kilometres long and runs mostly along the esker ridges.
• During the summer season, dance events are held every weekend at Lemmenlava in Hammaslahti; dance classes are offered beforehand.

Nature trails with different features

The Elovaaran Nature Trail and the Harjupolku offer a practical comparison when planning a day out in nature together: at 1.5 kilometres, the Elovaaran Nature Trail is the shorter of the two. Its route is marked with signposts and yellow markers. Along the way are a shelter, a campfire site and a toilet—useful points of reference for a break.

The landscape along the Elovaaran trails also adds to the character of a day out. You can see spruce mires rich in ferns and herbs, rocky cliffs and the forests below them. These varied landscape features offer a different focus from the Harjupolku, which runs mostly along esker ridges. Visitors who enjoy comparing natural landscapes can choose between mires and rocky terrain or a trail with viewpoints.

At 2.5 kilometres, the Harjupolku is one kilometre longer. It runs mostly along esker ridges and offers views into kettle holes. These views are a defining part of the trail experience, especially in spring before the trees come into leaf and obstruct the view. At the rest area, there is an open kota hut, a campfire site and a toilet. The rest area and toilet are accessible.

The trails therefore differ in more than length: on the Elovaaran Nature Trail, the yellow markers and the facilities along the route help with navigation; on the Harjupolku, the esker ridges and the particularly unobstructed views at certain times of year shape the experience. When planning a day out, you can use trail length and landscape as two practical factors in deciding how much time to allow.

Lemmenlava: Summer dance evenings

Lemmenlava is in the vicinity of Ketsu, at Lemmenpolku 12, 82200 Hammaslahti (Joensuu). Since the 1961 summer season, the pavilion has been a dance venue run by the Pyhäselän Urheilijat association. During the summer season, people dance to music by top artists every weekend; dance classes are offered before the events.

The events are seasonal, and the schedule may vary from one season to another. The programme for the relevant year is therefore the best guide when planning a specific dance evening. Lemmenlava also has a large free car park that can accommodate larger vehicles. It is advisable to briefly confirm the parking information before travelling.

The nature trails are in Hammaslahti and can be the main focus of your trip. If you would like to include a dance evening, take the seasonal events calendar into account when planning. This makes it possible to factor your preferred itinerary into your search for a hotel for your trip to Ketsu.

For further travel planning, you can also visit the destination pages for Kitee, Vuonislahti, Juuka, Nurmes, Mannervaara, Ahmovaara, Koli and Kesälahti.

Frequently asked questions about Ketsu

Which of the two nature trails is shorter?

The Elovaaran Nature Trail is 1.5 kilometres long, while the Harjupolku is 2.5 kilometres long. The stated trail lengths therefore differ by one kilometre.

When are the views along the Harjupolku particularly good?

The views into the kettle holes are particularly good in spring, before the trees come into leaf and obstruct the view.

Which facilities along the Harjupolku are accessible?

The rest area and the toilet are accessible. There is also an open kota hut and a campfire site at the rest area.

When are dance events held at Lemmenlava?

Dance events are held every weekend during the summer season, with dance classes offered beforehand. The programme for the relevant year is the best guide to specific dates.

For the broader travel overview: North Karelia.