Hungary awaits: Relaxed and romantic hikes in the Bükk Mountains

What will this article be about?

• A Tour by Cable Car
• Enchanted by the Caves
• The Tree of Lovers
• The Lillafüred State Forest Railway
• Lake Hámori
• Zsófia Lookout Tower
• Fazola Smelter

For those who prefer easier hikes, we recommend the spectacular tour that starts from the picturesque Lillafüred and leads up to the heights of the Bükk, and the 250-metre difference in altitude can be overcome literally by hanging your feet, using the chairlift. The quarter-hour journey from the valley of the Szinva stream takes you to the Jávor Hill meadow near Fehérkő, and from the summit there are numerous hiking trails leading in all directions. You can follow the 7-kilometre Oxygen Walking Circuit along the marked path, which takes us to Fehérkőlápa, or you can linger a bit in the small cave of the Lélekforrás (Source of Life), whose geological radiation is believed to have a beneficial effect on body and soul.

Continuing your walk, from the top of Fehérkő you can look down into the valley from where you started and wool-gather in the stunning slopes of the Bükk, before returning to the starting point on a serpentine road and the atmospheric Mária Promenade.

A must-see in Lillafüred is the St. István Cave, open all year round, which awaits visitors with beautiful stalactite formations and healing air. There are few in the world like the Anna Cave, located next to the Lillafüred Waterfall: the limestone cave, with its rare beauty, captivates visitors with its mysterious, labyrinthine passages and delicate stone formations. Both caves can only be visited on guided tours.

It is also worth climbing to the Szeleta roof above Lillafüred. Here, at an altitude of more than 300 metres, the Szeleta cave opens, the most significant prehistoric cave site in our country. There is a cave sign leading to its entrance, it is free to visit, but you need a flash-light to see it. Let's go here to recharge our batteries!

According to legend, whoever pledges eternal loyalty under the shade of the huge beech tree will have a relationship as strong and enduring as the tree itself. It is no coincidence that many are enchanted by the magical atmosphere of the place.

The country's most beautifully laid out light railway, winding through steep mountain slopes, unique valley bridges and tunnels. It starts in Miskolc, passes through Lillafüred and the Fazola smelter, and ends in Garadna.

The lake, spread out in a landscape adorned with the heights of the Bükk Mountains, with the striking building of the palace hotel, is a special sight in itself. However, what makes it a truly romantic experience is going on a boat ride with your partner.

It is worth climbing to the "queen of lookouts" to admire the lake and the Bükk ranges from above. The first rural lookout tower, over 120 years old, shines again in its former glory today; in the year of its renovation in 2022, it also won the title of Lookout of the Year.

Once you have boarded the light railway, you must linger at this stop, either for a picnic or for a time travel. The 18th-century museum treasure provides a special experience. On 7 October, the XVI. Fazola Days open-air event will be held here with many interesting programs.

The article was originally published in the Hungarian Tourism Association Foundation's magazine "Hungary awaits".

Source: turizmus.com