Kesälahti: Nature Trails, Lakes and Culture

Kesälahti can be discovered in different ways: on trails through nature and history, at seasonal swimming spots and on excursions on the water. Cultural offerings and events complete the picture. When planning your trip, it is worth first organising the activities you have in mind: the trails have different starting points, the beaches are on different bodies of water, and the excursions take you onto two lakes.

Nature and culture trails with different starting points

The trails in the Sortolampi area start at the sports field. They pass through varied terrain, differ in length and are suitable for circular walks. There is also a map of the nature and culture trails in the surrounding area at the sports field. The culture and nature trails in Kesälahti start in the courtyard of Sovintola in the town centre and lead to the history and nature of the surrounding area. They are clearly signposted along their entire length. This distinction is useful when choosing holiday accommodation: the sports field and Sovintola are specific reference points when planning your excursions.

The Kesälahden luontopolku also has a special story: in 2023, it was voted the best nature trail in North Karelia in a readers’ poll conducted by the newspaper Karjalainen, thanks to its versatility. The award relates to this poll in 2023. If you are looking for an additional sporting activity, Kesälahti has the Horkkanotko disc golf course. It starts at the Horkkanotko sports field and has 18 holes. Changes in elevation and some narrow fairways make it relatively challenging.

Swimming beaches in Kesälahti

The swimming beaches offer different options for a day by the water. Taipale is on Lake Pyhäjärvi, on Taipaleenrannantie. Sortolampi beach is on Sortolammentie, beyond the sports field. The Mäntyranta swimming beach on Lake Puruvesi, at Vääränmäentie 43, charges an entrance fee. The beaches are available for swimming seasonally; any fees at Mäntyranta are also seasonal. If visiting a beach is an important part of your plans, check the conditions that apply to your visit.

Museum, exhibitions and local events

At the Kesälahden kotiseutumuseo, you can see historic buildings and objects. The museum includes one of Finland’s largest smoke cabins; a boardwalk also runs along the pond shore at the museum. In Sovintola, the Kesälahden Kulttuuriseura gallery hosts changing exhibitions. As the exhibitions change, it is worth checking the current programme before planning a visit.

Events can also help determine the right time for a trip. The Puruveden Lohikuningas rowing and trolling competition takes place every year in the week after Midsummer. The Muikkumarkkinat is one of the major annual events in Kesälahti. Check the dates in advance if you want to plan your trip around one of these events.

Cycling, excursions and local specialities

A cycling route in Kesälahti leads to the nationally valuable village landscape of Totkunniemi and its observation tower. The tower is 6.5 km from the centre of Kesälahti. This provides a specific point of reference for planning in the vicinity of your destination. If you would like to discover Kesälahti from the water, you could consider excursions on the Kirkkovene Aurora on Lake Puruvesi and Lake Karjalan Pyhäjärvi. The provider’s excursion offerings may change, so check the latest details before planning.

Local specialities include the fish products of Puruveden Savukala Oy in Kesälahti; the selection may change. Kesälahti railway station is on Asematie. If you plan to use it for your arrival, check the timetable for your travel date. This lets you weigh up the location of your accommodation and the excursions you want to take based on their specific starting points and your travel plans, without treating the different offerings as if they all shared a single starting point.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rokua, Elomäki, Karhunmäki, Valtimo, Vuonislahti, Nurmes, Tohmajärvi, Tuupovaara.

For the regional travel overview: North Karelia.