A short tour of Lake Balaton on two wheels, or how to tackle 80 km

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Szalay Ibolya

Tihanyi PIAC placc Tihanyrév közforgalmú személyhajó kikötő Balaton Bike Tour Tihany Siófoki közforgalmú személyhajó kikötő Almádi Yacht Club Kikötő és Étterem Balatonalmádi közforgalmú személyhajó kikötő

The Balaton short tour is not a performance tour. It can be, but it doesn't have to be. Starting from Füred, passing through Tihany, taking the ferry to Szántód, then back along the southern and eastern shores, you get an 80-kilometre circle that, if you go all the way around it, is more of a "mini vacation" than a sport. We didn't go there to break any records, but to "break away" from everyday life. The silence, the view of the lake, the elderly couples on the benches, the hunt for lángos, the bike repair after a flat tire – they all parts of the same story. Cycling around Lake Balaton is not a linear experience. There are waves. And not just on the water.

What this article is about:

How to tackle the Balaton small tour
By ferry between Tihany and Szántód
Where to stop during the tour
What 80 km of silence and a few flat tires can teach you
Practical information, approach, bike rental

From Füred to Tihany – the first stage of silence

Starting from Balatonfüred, the section leading to the Tihany ferry is initially just "nice." The water “accompanies” us all the way, the traffic is manageable, and the view doesn't change much. Then suddenly we realize that there is no one to talk to. No commentary, no phone, no pressure to converse. We are forced to enjoy the silence and each other's company – which, let’s admit, can be quite acceptable.

We stop every now and then. Not because we have to, but because it feels good. This section

is not about speed.

We watch the elderly couples sitting side by side on the shore. And suddenly, the thought occurs to us that maybe it's not so bad to grow old if we have time

to fill your years with meaning.

If you stray a little from the bike route, the Tihany country houses and the Tihany PIAC square provide just enough of a cultural detour that it doesn't take up too much time, but adds to the experience. It's not a mandatory programme, but rather an option – like most good decisions in life.

Ferry in the middle of Lake Balaton – when the momentum stops

The public passenger ferry port at Tihanyrév is not just a crossing point. It's a change of rhythm. Standing on the ferry, the deep blue surface of Lake Balaton looks completely different than when viewed from two wheels. We are no longer moving – we are floating.

And in the meantime, strange thoughts come to mind. For example, whether the rapid flapping of a butterfly's wings stranded in the middle of the lake could really cause an earthquake on the other side of the world. Or when was the last time we had time to think about such things.

South shore – hunting for lángos and reality

The south shore is mostly flat terrain, faster but deceptive. The kilometres add up more easily here, and we almost believe that

this route is a piece of cake.

This is also where we realize that finding lángos is a surprisingly difficult task.

The area around Rév Camping and the public passenger boat harbour in Siófok is a good place to rest if you need drinking water, shade, or just a little "self-patting on the back." And if you don't have your own bike, you can rent one at Balaton Bike Tour in Siófok.

East coast – towards Almádi. When we feel the power of the sun

Towards Balatonalmádi, the landscape becomes more undulating and a little more characterful. By now we are more tired, but it is a pleasant tiredness.

The Almádi Yacht Club Harbour and Restaurant and the Balatonalmádi public harbour are good places to stop if you want to eat or just rest and let the sun warm your skin. It really does tan you!

How should you set off?

- Leave early!

- Plan for breaks!

- Bring a puncture repair kit!

- Check the ferry schedule in advance!

Access

Balatonfüred, Siófok, and Balatonalmádi are easily accessible by car and train. Ferry services run regularly between Tihany and Szántód, and bicycles can also be taken on board. Most of the short tour runs along well-developed bike paths.