Helyszín címkék:
Stardust forest land: the secrets of Zselicség
Szabó Sára
“...the forest speaks to those who know it: it gives signs, it sends messages, it opens itself, you just have to touch it.”
On untravelled roads
The Landscape Protection Area of Zselic is located on the border of Somogy and Baranya counties, in the heart of the Transdanubian Hills. The 10,500-hectare area has been protected since 1976 due to its special forest and landscape values. Anyone who goes on a trip here can experience its fairytale atmosphere. The romantic landscape is characterized by wide, flat ridges, as well as the streams, valleys and connected forests that meander between them. The highest point in Zselic is the 358-metre-high Hollófészek which clearly shows that there are no really high elevations in this region, yet the hilly nature can pose a serious challenge for hikers.
It is interesting that between Kaposvár and Szigetvár, for about 45 kilometres, most of the distance can be covered in continuous forests, on dirt roads that have been used since historical times!
András Pintér, the nature conservationist of the Landscape Protection Area of Zselic, says that the silver linden-beech forest association found in the area is unique in our country, as it is very rare for the beech, which prefers a cooler, high-mountain climate, and the silver linden from the plains and hills, to form a forest together. Other special features of the flora of the region are the forest cyclamen, the evergreen miracle berries, and the dog's-tooth violet – this latter, magical plant, for which the Danube-Dráva National Park regularly organizes tours. The expert adds that according to researchers, the number of invertebrate species living in the area is around ten thousand – in other words, it is extremely rich!
The Pál Rockenbauer South Transdanubian Blue Trail also leads through the charming hills of Zselic, but it is also worth visiting the Black Woodpecker Nature Trail. Along the 4-kilometre-long, 13-station trail between Kaposvár and Töröcske, you can get to know various tree species, herbaceous plants, diverse habitat types and even animals with hidden lifestyles. In one part of the nature trail, a row of wooden planks leads over a stream, so do not leave your camera at home!
Postcard-worthy hiking destinations
One of the most popular hiking destinations in the region is the picturesque Ropolyi Lake, nestled among the hills. The fishing lake is surrounded by huge willow trees, and on its shores there are comfortable piers and a wooden pavilion ideal for picnics. The green hillside next to the lake invites you to relax and lie by. The small lake was part of the Eszterházy estate since 1700, the horse-chestnut trees lining the road were planted at that time. You can still admire these giant trees when you visit the area. It is worth visiting the huge shadoof, as well as the thatched country house built in the Somogy folk style on the other side of the meadow. On the shores of the lake there is a buffet, a nature ranger's house that functions as an information point, as well as tables, benches and toilets for comfortable relaxation.
Another gem of the Landscape Protection Area of Zselic is the Feneketlen-kút (Dead well) hidden deep in the Dennai Forest. Several legends are connected to the spring area between Bánya and Szilvásszentmárton. Some believe that the inhabitants of the former village of Denna were destroyed by rabid wolves, according to another story, the Feneketlen Lake got its name from the fact that an entire cart sank in it, along with its oxen. Beyond the mystical legends, the Dennai Forest is not at all frightening, what is more, it is a magical area! Scout camps for children are regularly organized here.
One of the "darkest" areas in the country
Few people know that the Zselic was the first area in Europe to be awarded the title of a starry sky park in 2009. This region with extremely low light pollution is also special because there are fewer and fewer places left in our country – and worldwide – where the dark night sky can be observed undisturbed, in its natural state. In ideal conditions, thousands of stars can be seen in the park, even with the naked eye!
Photo: Star Park
On cloudless summer nights, you can see the Milky Way, in spring after sunset, and in autumn at dawn, the zodiacal light – sunlight reflected from interplanetary dust – which is also a fascinating sight. And if you want to delve deeper into the secrets of the sky, it is worth visiting the visitor centre of the Zselic Star Park, where you can take part in a solar telescope demonstration, but you can also sign up for a night tour and a star tour. The 25-metre-high observation tower offers a magical panorama of the surrounding area.
