Helyszín címkék:
The Bugac Steppe is a secret and magical place in the Great Plain
Szabó Sára
Bugacpuszta is one of the largest steppe areas in Hungary, which is part of the Kiskunság National Park. And although hearing the name of the region might bring to mind the image of a desolate, desert area, in reality it is a rather diverse region! The impressive landscape is a symbol of the pastoral traditions of the Hungarian Great Plains, where visitors can admire the special sand world, native animal species, as well as the authentic elements of the traditional pastoral culture: rangemen, herds and shepherds. One of the most special natural treasures of this region is the Ancient Juniper Land in Bugac, where the juniper forest of the sandy steppe and the open sandy grasslands alternate excitingly. On the steep sides and roofs of the sand ridges, you can typically observe open sand desert grassland, and drought-tolerant juniper-poplar forests have spread from the valleys between the ridges.
The colourful plant species of the steppe
Unfortunately, the forest fires of the last two decades destroyed this sandy wonderland on 1,600 hectares in Bócsa and 1,100 hectares in Bugac – but despite the disaster, the steppe still offers a special habitat for many rare species of flora and fauna. The juniper in question can be found in the area, which is one of the emblematic plants of the sandy deserts. This evergreen shrub is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the sandy deserts, and its berries, which contain a special essential oil, are not only an important source of food for the local fauna, but are also used for medicinal and gastronomic purposes, for example for making gin and brandy.
Dense, impenetrable juniper forests and open sandy lawns give the landscape a special, somewhat mystical atmosphere.
If you are planning a trip, it is worth setting off with the arrival of spring as the magnificence of the flora of the hillocks really shows itself from May. At this time, you can see the sand maidenhair fern on the hillock sides, and the flowers of the alkanet bloom on the open sand surfaces. In the same place, you can observe the yellow-flowered sand sedum, as well as the fumana procumbens and the linum hirsutum.
"Among the protected plants of the sandhills the elegant-looking black anemone, the sand iris, and the highly protected autumn jewel of the sand grasslands and woodland edges, the sand colchicum should be highlighted. Three rare orchid species can also be found under the summer groves: the Cephalanthera rubra, a native variety of the red-brown epipactis, and the "Bugac epipactis", discovered in 1990 and previously known only from the Danube-Tisza region," says Mónika Kiss, Head of the Ecotourism and Environmental Education Department of the Kiskunság National Park Directorate.
Vipers, owlets and the country's largest insect live here
The area is not lacking in zoological values either! The herpes porcellus lives in the thickets of the aforementioned alkanet stools. Among the members of the invertebrate fauna, the helmeted locust should also be highlighted, which is easily recognized by its elongated head shape, large body size and rattling flight. One of the most unique inhabitants of the Bugac steppe is the saw-blade locust. This flightless, predatory species of grasshopper is the largest insect in Hungary, which, according to our current knowledge, is only known to occur in Bugac on the Great Plain. On the open sandy lawns, you occasionally see the sand lizard, which is able to find its food consisting of small insects even in the summer heat. At the same time, there is a species of snake in the area, the individuals of which are hardly found even after an extremely large investment of time and energy.
The Hungarian meadow viper once occurred in large numbers in the grassland habitats of the Pannonian basin, but due to the clearing of grasslands and their conversion into arable land cultivation, most of its habitats have disappeared. The saving of the small number of domestic populations that have survived to this day is thanks to the nature conservation activities carried out in the last two decades.
The sandhills are home to several rare bird species. Among them, the woodlark, which can be recognized from afar by its unique song, and the goat-milker, which is perfectly adapted to its nocturnal lifestyle, should be highlighted. During your evening walks on the steppe, you can also hear the characteristic sound of scops owl returning from their migration at the end of April and beginning of May.
Wandering on the hillocks, chilling out, riding bare-back: life on the steppe up close
The Gate of the Steppe Information Center is located in the opposite neighbourhood of the Karikás Csárda. The visitor centre is really the gateway to the Bugac steppe, as you can reach a part of the Kiskunság National Park, the hillock world of Bugac and the steppe from here. Here you can see the animal farm displaying ancient Hungarian breeds of domestic animals, you can tour the Shepherds Museum, which presents the diverse life of shepherds in the past, and the Karikás Csárda awaits guests who want to cool off in the heat with excellent food.
From May to October, you have the opportunity to see a spectacular rangemen show with the famous "steppe five", and after the show, you can try the speciality of the life of rangemen, riding bare-back!
The 1,100-meter-long Juniper Nature Trail, which can be visited all year round, offers a great insight into the wildlife of the Great Forest and the sandy hillocks. The nature trail can be visited with a walking ticket and is especially worth walking in the spring, early summer and autumn. And if you still have energy after all this, it is worth visiting the Aranymonostor Visitor Centre, located just a few kilometres from here, on the other side of Bugac settlement.
