Hungary awaits: Discovery tour in the Upper Tisza region by water or two wheels

In the Upper Tisza region, villages are located within arm's reach of each other, and in each one it is worth getting off the saddle for a sight to behold. The longest marked cycle paths in the country wind along the Tisza, far from cars. The Medieval Churches Trail connects 37 medieval churches in the region, and visiting them by bike is a real bucket list activity.

Discover the heritage of the Middle Ages and the remains of ancient volcanoes on this cycling adventure tour, which won the title of Cycle Route of the Year in 2024. The first attraction of the tour, which starts from Gergelyiugornya, is the Reformed Church of Tákos, also known as the barefoot Notre Dame.

There will also be a presentation of the shingle-roofed churches in Csaroda, Tarpa and Márokpapi. In Csaroda you can see one of our most beautifully preserved churches, which is also called the church of the smiling saints. In Tarpa you can see one of the ruined volcanoes of the Great Plain, the Nagy Hill. The circular tour runs on low-traffic asphalt and side roads. Along the way, cool off in the waters of the Tisza on the beaches of Tivadar, Jánd or Gergelyiugornya!

The picturesque rivers of the Upper Tisza region – especially the Tisza and the Öreg-Túr – have been among the most popular water tour destinations in Hungary for decades. Both rivers have a low gradient and are calm in this section, so even beginner hikers can easily learn the basics of paddling. In the shade of the gallery forests, the temperature in the Upper Tisza is pleasant even in the hottest summer heat.

The most common starting point for Tisza tours is Tiszabecs. The settlement is located on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border, where the Tisza enters Hungary. There are several accommodations in its resort area, where you can also rent kayaks and canoes. You can row from Tiszabecs to Szatmárcseke on a one-day tour, or to Tivadar on a two-day tour. Along the way, you can visit the Móricz Zsigmond Memorial House in Tiszacsécs, or go to the beach beyond Tiszakórod, at the Túr spill-way. In Szatmárcseke, visit the cemetery with its boat-shaped headboards and Kölcsey's grave! A great sandy beach awaits you in Tivadar.

Hiking route: Tiszabecs–Milota–Tiszakóród–Szatmárcseke–Nagyar–Kisar–Tivadar. Distance: Tiszabecs–Szatmárcseke: 24 kilometres, Tiszabecs–Tivadar: 39 kilometres. Time required: 1-2 days. Hiking classification: easy.

The Öreg-Túr is one of the most unique water tour destinations in Hungary, which runs through a picturesque environment. It is also an ideal route for families, as the water is shallow. The tour usually takes two days, but it can be completed in one day.

Hiking route: the easy Sonkád–Kölcse–Túristvándi route can be completed in 8 hours. The section between Sonkád and Kölcse is 12 kilometres long, while the section between Sonkád and Túristvándi invites you to row for 26 kilometers.

The article was originally published in the Hungarian Tourism Association Foundation's magazine "Hungary awaits".

Source: turizmus.com