Exciting Local Nature Trails That Are at Their Most Beautiful in the Fall

An article from Turista Magazin.

What exactly will it be about?

• Forests, wetlands, and prehistoric sites
• Adventurous nature trails from the Vendvidék region to Lake Tisza, and from the Balaton Uplands to Ipolytarnóc
• A family favorite in the Börzsöny Mountains: the Királyréti nature trail and the experience of horseback riding through the forest

The Resin Collectors’ Trail (‘Gyantászok útja’), an educational trail with an intriguing name that opened in 2021, winds through the forests near Apátisvánfalva in the heart of the Vend region, in Vas County. Since it is not a loop trail, you can start from either end. You can begin your walk next to the village’s outdoor fitness park, where you’ll turn into the forest at a rather inconspicuous “Nature Trail” sign.

Even those who haven’t heard of it before can get a good understanding of this interesting craft in just a few minutes.

At nine stations, colourful, informative signs explain the characteristics of the flora and fauna of the Vendvidék forests, what “stripping” entails, what a resin collector does, and just how much we owe to the forests.

The approximately 2.5-kilometer “resin collector” nature trail winds through a quiet, uncrowded, beautiful forest where the soft scent of pine resin wafts from the trees. Since the trail is mostly flat and easy to walk, it can be heartily recommended for all age groups.

Both ends of the nature trail are close to the main road in Apátistvánfalva, so if you continue walking along it, you can easily turn the hike into a nearly 3.5-km loop. The Resin Collectors’ Trail is open to visitors year-round. If, after your walk in the woods, you’d like to spend some more time in this charming village in the Vend region, it’s worth stopping by the Border Guard Memorial and Museum.

This unique walking trail, which starts at Szabics Harbour in Tiszaörvény – the largest harbour on Lake Tisza – isn’t very long at just two kilometres, but it offers so many interesting sights that you can easily spend 3–4 hours here.

Along the way, multilingual information boards illustrated with pictures provide insights into the life of mayflies and the wildlife of Lake Tisza. At four of the ten stations, you’ll be introduced to forgotten Tisza crafts associated with the floodplains (basket and rush weaving, boat carving, and barrel making), and you can also climb up to two bird-watching towers.

At Station 6 of the Tiszavirág Floodplain Walking Trail, you can hop into a small boat and use a rope to pull yourself across to the opposite bank, onto the Pákász Nature Trail. Along this nearly 1-kilometer route, you’ll learn who the pákász were and why they were called the “all-knowing experts of the marshes.” Since the area is marshy, it’s a good idea to swap your shoes for the rubber boots provided before crossing over to the Pákász Nature Trail. The “squishy” adventure through the marshes on the Pákász Nature Trail is definitely worth the detour.

Returning to the Tiszavirág Tower on the floodplain walking trail, there are always a few fishing boats waiting for us on the shore, which are free to use. Feel free to row out onto Lake Göbe! Within a few minutes, we found ourselves in the middle of the beautiful lake, among the water lilies, enjoying the silence and indescribable tranquillity of the place. Both nature trails can be visited year-round, either with a guide or on your own.

In Fonyód, the 1-kilometer Marsh Turtle Nature Trail, which winds through the Ordacsehi Marshes, starts at the World of the Marshes Visitor Center and makes for a pleasant family outing, even with young children. Reed beds alternate with meadows and open water areas, while the landmark hills of the northern shore rise in the background.

Opened in 2023, the nature trail presents the history of the Ordacsehi Marshes, the significance of the Natura 2000 site, the importance of wetland restoration, the habitats found in the area, invasive species, and much more. It is open to the public year-round and is also part of the “Berekjárás” guided walking tour. A worksheet has been prepared for the tour, which can be requested at the visitor centre’s reception desk.

No matter what season you visit the Halásztelki Nature Trail in the Hármas-Körös floodplain, you’re sure to have a great experience. As you walk the 3.5-kilometer trail, which consists of 10 stations, you’ll learn about the characteristic landforms of the Southern Great Plain, the local wildlife, and gain insight into the landscape’s history.

Along the nature trail, we also learn about current issues, such as the seemingly unstoppable spread of invasive plant species – for example, black locust.

But there’s also a lot to learn about the quarries. These former material extraction pits in the flood protection embankments play an important role not only in the lives of frogs and marsh turtles, but also in the foraging habits of numerous bird species. The nature trail is open to visitors year-round. Except when the river floods, in which case the floodplain – and with it, the nature trail – is submerged.

The Halásztelki Nature Trail of the Körös–Maros National Park Directorate (KMNPI) is located about 7 km from Szarvas. Perhaps the best way to get there is as part of a bike tour. There are several routes you can take, but the simplest is probably to turn right onto the embankment at the end of the road leading to the Mezőtúr ferry. The nature trail’s starting sign is located before the railroad bridge. Bicycles can be rented at several locations, such as the Szarvas Arboretum or the KMNPI Körösvölgy Visitor Center, where you can also pick up a cycling map of the area. You can also arrive by train. In this case, take the train from Szarvas to Mezőtúr and get off at Halászlak Station; from there, it’s a two-minute walk to the nature trail.