Lővérek of Sopron and cyclamen

The easternmost tongue of the Alps, the Sopron Mountains surround the city to the south and west. The mountains are mainly composed of gneiss and crystalline rock. Its highest peak is the Magasbérc at 559 metres. The natural forest there includes beech, hornbeam, oak, and alder around streams. The spruce is the native pine species in this area, but firs and European larches were also planted here. Sweet chestnuts are also native in Lőverek, in the winter season almost all patisseries and restaurants in Sopron offer delicacies made of chestnut, and the locals are proud to sell the fruit from their gardens all over the country. The other well-known symbol of the woods is the European cyclamen. Cyclamen can be as elegant and disappointing in equal measure, because it was an important feed for pigs, and was known as pork carrot. 20 species of the genus are widespread mainly in the Mediterranean parts of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Florist’s Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) are often kept as houseplants for their beautiful and fragrant flowers. The only native Hungarian type is the evergreen European cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens) which grows mainly at the foot of the Alps. It is a protected plant, so it’s forbidden to pick any!

The subalpine climate of the mountains has made Sopron an officially-listed climatic health resort. The crystal clear air of the woods in Lővérek is suitable for treating patients suffering from heart disease. The State Sanatorium was opened in 1950. Due to its location, the part of Lőverek facing the city is quite cool, as the afternoon sun does not really shine on the northern slopes. The area has been used by the people of Sopron for cooling off in the summer, since the 16th century, beautiful villas have been built and the surrounding forest has become a popular place to walk. Some of the villas with cool porches and wooden verandas, which evoke an alpine atmosphere, can still be seen today, mostly in the row of villas. The famous sanatorium is also nearby, and hotels and earlier holiday houses attracted people wanting to relax.

By the way, the Lővérek is to be named after the outposts of the Pecheneg riflemen who settled in the 13th century (lő means shoot in Hungarian). The region of villas and gardens is surrounded by the Lővérboulevard, on the other side of which the forest begins. We don't have to feel completely lost here either, because we can see the Károly Lookout next to the TV tower in Sopron or the Várhely, but if we want to go on a big hike, then we can do so as well.

Recently, the forest has also been enriched with new sights, the Lővér Adventure Park at the Károly upper car park has been providing serene recreation for young and old for many years now. There is a baby course for children between the ages of 3 and 6, as well as 3 rope courses for children and 3 for adults.  Heading towards the Charles Lookout Tower, we pass the Witch's Fairy-tale Trail. Children are welcomed with special tasks, fairy-tale experiences and exciting games, and the Kőhalmy Hunting Museum next to the lookout is an interactive exhibition, also for children, to help them learn about the values of nature.

The Lővér Swimming Pool was a special attraction in the late 70's with a hemisphere held up by warm air. Then the roof was replaced by a wooden dome, in the neighbourhood of beautiful pine forests we can admire the modern complex with huge glass windows which was completely rebuilt last year. It is great to relax here any time of year. In Lőverek we can plan longer hikes, but we can also try the special mountain bike trails. Seven lakes, 20 streams and more than 40 springs await nature lovers in the forest of Sopron, the 6 lookouts in Lőverek offer wonderful panoramas of the surrounding countryside. One of our favourites is the Cyclamen educational trail, mainly because it is not the usual coloured stripes but the pink cyclamen painted on the trees that marks the route. It is an eight-kilometre-long, comfortable, effortless route that shows the natural values, flora and fauna of the Sopron Landscape Protection Area between Sopron-Lőverek and Sopron-Suburb, touching the Castle area. Another special route is the blue-marked route that leads from the Charles Lookout to the nearby Dalos Stone. The Dalos Stone was erected in 1863 to commemorate the first song contest held here, attended by nearly 600 singers. At the end of the 19th century, regular choir meetings were also held here. The name of the hill is from here: Dalos Hill (404m) There used to be a ski resort in the area, the lift of which can still be seen today.