Hungary awaits: Let’s cycle around the large lakes of Hungary!

What will this article be about?

• Lake Velence
• Lake Fertő
• Lake Tisza
• Lake Balaton

It is one of the shortest lakes in Hungary, making it easy to tackle even with children. The route is flat almost for the entire length. There are plenty of sights to see along the way: on the section heading towards Dinnyés, you can admire the view from the Sarvajc cross and observation tower, and take a break at the Pákozdi Pagony Arboretum and Wildlife Park or the Pákozdi Military Memorial Park National Memorial Site.

We can take a dip at one of the dozen or so beaches, or enjoy an ice cream on the promenade in Velence before returning to Gárdony on the southern shore of the lake.

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 33 km

Time required: 3 hours

How to get there: by car, train, or along the Budapest–Balaton cycle route

The classic Lake Fertő tour is a real treat for cyclists, with plenty to see. On the way, the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd and the Lace House in Hegykő invite you to travel back in time. Fertőboz is worth stopping at for the magnificent view from the Gloriette lookout tower, while Balf is worth visiting to taste its famous medicinal water.

Other must-see attractions include the Fertőrákos quarry, the Mithras Shrine, and, just across the border, the iconic red and white lighthouse in Podersdorf, Austria. We can halve the distance by taking the ferry across the lake: From Mörbisch, it takes half an hour to reach Illmitz on the eastern shore of the lake.

Difficulty: medium

Distance: 120 km

Time required: 1-3 days

How to get there: by car or train from Fertőszentmiklós or the Sopron railway station

A 65-kilometer-long, well-developed bike path runs along the dam surrounding the lake, and even novice cyclists feel comfortable on the flat terrain. Many consider it to be the safest bike path in Hungary, and one of the most beautiful: the section between Poroszló and Tiszafüred won the title of Bike Path of the Year in 2021. Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium awaits visitors at the Lake Tisza Eco Center in Poroszló.

The Kisköre staircase is Central Europe’s largest ecological corridor. In addition to the sights, the route is dotted with numerous beaches and restaurants. The route can be shortened by taking the new small boat that runs between Tiszaderzs and Dinnyéshát.

Difficulty: medium

Distance: 65 km

Time required: 6 hours

Approach: by car or by the Lake Tisza Express train running between Keleti (Eastern) Railway Station and Tiszafüred

The 203-kilometer-long cycling route around the Hungarian Sea is on many people’s bucket list. With the help of the BalatonBike365 website and app, you can plan shorter routes or even venture further away from the shore to explore the region’s attractions on themed tours.

There are tons of options to choose from. You can bypass Western Balaton (33 km) by taking the boat service from Balatongyörök to Balatonmáriafürdő. With the Szántód–Tihany ferry crossing, we can complete the small circle of Lake Balaton (Eastern Basin, 80 km).

Difficulty: medium

Distance: 203 km

Time required: 2-6 days

How to get there: by car, train, or along the Budapest–Balaton cycle route

The article was originally published in the Hungarian Tourism Association Foundation’s magazine titled Magyarország vár (“Hungary awaits’’).

Source: turizmus.com