Cycle and be amazed: 3 cycling routes to explore Lake Balaton in spring

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Szabó Sára

Bistro Sparhelt Szőlősi Kocsma Vászolyi Sajtmanufaktúra Zelna Borbár és Vinotéka Zománc Bisztrócska Koczor Pincészet és Vendégfogadó Hét kenyér Ökovendégház

Birds chirping, sunshine tickling our cheeks, nature stretching sleepily: for many, spring is undeniably one of the most beautiful seasons around Lake Balaton (too). The best places are open to the public at this time of year, but there are no crowds and the heat is still off, which would otherwise make it difficult to find adventures and book tables and accommodation. Cycling is also fun at this time of year: here are 3 routes recommended by the experts at BalatonBike365!

Close-to-the-nature adventures in the Balaton Highlands, for families

About the tour:
Duration: 2 hours 22 minutes
Length: 23.7 km
Route: Balatonfüred, Balatonszőlős, Pécsely, Aszófő, Diós

Go this way!

Away from the hustle and bustle of the waterfront, you can find peace and quiet, rich wildlife and geological treasures on this wonderful Balaton circuit. The route, which is almost entirely on cycle paths, is a real treat for nature lovers of all ages. It is worth going into slow mode beforehand and tuning in with all your senses to the sights, tastes and smells of the region. We start our journey in the old town of Balatonfüred, then we take an asphalt road past the Koczor Winery to the Villa Vitae private estate. Here we leave the road and turn into the vineyards. This will take you to Balatonszőlős, where you can take your first break at the Szőlősi Pub. Whether you are hungry or thirsty, the locally-favoured gastropub has everything you could want. Good wines, a menu that changes every two weeks, and delicious stuffed paprika.

From here we head towards the Gella Hill, then we roll through the vineyards to Pécsely. Here, winery follows winery, so if you like fine wines, it is worth sampling a few before you get back in the saddle of your bike. It is not the intoxicating effect of wine: it is a truly wonderful drive all the way to Aszófő. We return to Füred along the Balaton Round-Trip Bike Trail, where we can finish the adventure with a sightseeing tour.

If you are in Balatonfüred, visit the BalatonBike365 Port North Cycling Centre, where they have everything you need. From bike rental to accessories, information and even guided tours, all services are available here!

Country road racing for regular cyclists

About the tour:
Duration: 3 hours
Length: 61.9 km
Route: Balatonfüred, Aszófő, Pécsely, Balatonszőlős, Tótvázsony, Nemesvámos, Veszprém, Felsőörs, Lovas, Paloznak, Csopak, Balatonfüred

Go this way!

From Balatonfüred we take a bike ride to Aszófő, from where we have a beautiful view for several kilometres from the south, setting the mood for the whole day. At the church of the village turn north towards Pécsely, then almost immediately turn right towards Balatonszőlős. Almost all the way, you will be on a well-maintained, low-traffic country road. Turn left at Szőlős towards Tótvázsony and start the most difficult part of the hike, which climbs (and climbs steeply) for no less than four kilometres. At the end of the hike, you will be relieved by an immaculate cycle path, where you can pick up the conversation with the team again. Nemesvámos is next, after which we will roll into Veszprém, still cycling on the bike path. From here we will turn towards Szentkirályszabadja and then join the road opening from road no. 73 towards Felsőörs. Our next stop will be Lovas, from where the Roman road leads back to Balatonfüred.

Needless to say, don’t head straight home from Balatonfüred, as it is the town with the most Michelin-recommended restaurants on the shores of Lake Balaton. Here you will find, among others, the Zelna Wine Bar and Wine Shop, the Bistro Sparhelt, a great place for modern Hungarian cuisine, and the small plate concept Mór24, natural wine bar and tapas bar.

Hideg-hegy (Cold Mountain) summit with gastronomic delights

About the tour:
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Length: 23.5 km
Route: Pécsely, Barnag, Vászoly, Balatonudvari, Örvényes, Aszófő

Go this way!

If you are looking for a more challenging tour (or an e-bike tour of the Lake Balaton Highlands), go for the Hideg-hegy peak tour. For the considerable difference in elevation and the challenging, hilly terrain, the beautiful scenery makes up for it! And although it’s a serious test of strength – the distance is not significant – it’s still worth taking a whole day, as there are so many gastronomic and cultural attractions to see that it would be a shame to rush through them.

Saddle up at the cyclist-friendly Huszár Restaurant in Örvényes and turn your virtual compass towards Vászoly. This fairytale village is built around a small pond and is home to several outstanding gastronomic destinations. If you are hungry, head to the Zománc Bistro, for example, for a hearty Palóc soup, and if you are a big cheese fan, fill your bag with the products of the Vászoly Cheese Manufactory. Once you have recovered from the gastronomic delights, continue pedalling towards the Cold Mountain. Soon you will reach one of the most panoramic points of the Balaton Highlands, where it is also worth taking a break and absorbing the mountain-offered joy with all your senses. Not far from here, you will find the Seven Breads Pilgrim Bakery, where you can taste delicious Transylvanian sourdough bread and other delicacies from the garden by prior appointment. Not only the breads, but also the bakery building is unique; designed by Gyöngyvér Kazinczy, it is completely autonomous, i.e. it is independent of any utilities. From here, it’s just a stone’s throw to Zádor Castle, from where we just have to roll to Pécsely. A beautiful forested countryside leads to Aszófő, from where we follow the Balaton Round-Trip Bike Trail up to the starting point.