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10 gorgeous lookout points in Tokaj wine region

  • Ripka Gergely
Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is the centre of landscapes where even a beginner photographer can soar. Nowadays it’s enough to have a smartphone or a good application and the photos speak for themselves, but it’s also worth retreating for a short time, to admire the historic vineyards where the landscape was formed over millions of years, vineyard boundaries were created throughout the centuries, and the wine culture was renewed in the past decades, as each year we are astonished by new and classical wine styles. To see the most beautiful (classified as the best in the world) vineyards of Hegyalja we sometimes need to leave the beaten path, but it’s worth walking up the heights, as the rows of vines and the church spires of villages alternate before our eyes in the form of the landscape.
Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is the centre of landscapes where even a beginner photographer can soar. Nowadays it’s enough to have a smartphone or a good application and the photos speak for themselves, but it’s also worth retreating for a short time, to admire the historic vineyards where the landscape was formed over millions of years, vineyard boundaries were created throughout the centuries, and the wine culture was renewed in the past decades, as each year we are astonished by new and classical wine styles. To see the most beautiful (classified as the best in the world) vineyards of Hegyalja we sometimes need to leave the beaten path, but it’s worth walking up the heights, as the rows of vines and the church spires of villages alternate before our eyes in the form of the landscape.

1. Öreg Király-dűlő (Old King vineyard), Mád

It’s not exactly an easy place to walk, but it’s truly worth putting on hiking boots and leaving the car at the bottom of the historic vineyard (the vineyards of Mád may be explored by car). Standing in front of the majestic vineyard, we may walk up to the side of Old King vineyard from the right, through a small patch of forest (besides the terraces we might climb up to the highest cultivated grapevines of the wine region). While walking, we can admire exciting lithological formations and the panorama of Mount Tokaj next to the King and Betsek vineyards. Try to choose a day that isn’t too hot!

2. Szerelmi-dűlő (Love vineyard), Tokaj

The wine region’s symbol is the Mount Tokaj and its historic loessial vineyards. The easiest to walk around is probably the Love vineyard (leave the car next to the cellars). During the walk besides Hétszőlő (Seven Grape) estate and the terraces of Lencsés we might have a view of the territory of Bodrogköz and the city of Tokaj. Although the terrain is steep, we can walk on the paved vineyard roads (pedestrian access is recommended). It is beautiful in all seasons, but maybe spring is the best.

3. Blessing Jesus statue, Tarcal

The most beautifully constructed height of all, paved all the way, accessible (but passenger transport is also available). Besides the view of the statue and the quarry lake, the village of Tarcal itself offers the most impressive sight with its churches and beautiful location at the junction of Mount Tokaj and the Great Hungarian Plain. It is amazing in any season, but the colours of a sunset there are unforgettable.

4. Úrágya top, Mád

Although on a less-travelled road, but it is available from the centre of Mád in about twenty minutes. In addition to the historicity of the vineyard and its 100-year-old pedestrian and terraced plots, we may enjoy a completely astonishing view from the top: in the background Mount Tokaj, on the left Mád’s northern vineyards, and below us the emblematic buildings of the beautifully situated town: the Catholic and the Reformed church, the synagogue, and the wine region’s outstanding wineries.

5. Mulató Hill, Erdőbénye

Leaving the car next to the sports ground, the TV station with the scenic view of Erdőbénye behind is easy to reach on foot. It’s worth walking up here in the spring when the vegetation is not too high yet. Along the way we may see the quarry lake, and from the top, behind the village, the nicest landscapes of the wine region appear: Peres, Lőcse, Messzelátó and the rest. We could hardly take a nicer photograph in the wine region.

Szent Tamás (Saint Thomas) top, Mád

One of the most popular and most photographed lookout points, with a platform made of huge rocks. Several vintners organise vineyard trips here, since there is a nice view of all the Mád Basin’s highlighted points and naturally Mount Tokaj in the remote distance. Towards the cemetery it’s easily accessible by car, basically you don’t even need to walk. Very windy days should be avoided.

7. Castle Hill, Bodrogkisfalud

One of the most popular lookout points; it’s spectacular. It is recommended to leave the car at Patricius Winery, and walk up from there. There is a quite large difference in height, but at the top it’s possible to see the best view of Mount Tokaj with the Bodrogzug and the spectacular arena-like plots of Lapis vineyard. It is worth visiting this place in early spring when the vegetation is not too high yet.

8. Lookout Point in Bodrogkeresztúr

Recommended for lazier hikers: easy to climb for any age. Through the cemetery of Bodrogkeresztúr, a sign indicates how we get up there. The parking lot is only a few hundred meters away from the lookout point, which is only a stone platform, but Bodrogkeresztúr, Bodrogkisfalud, the Bodrog River’s surface, and the Zemplén’s landscape can be admired from a unique perspective. On a clear day in the northeast direction one can see great distances.

9. Hasznos vineyard, Tállya

Possibly the highest, historical first class vineyard of the town. The only unfortunate thing about the place is that cars only have a limited access to the vineyard road. However, from the top of Hasznos it is possible to see the most beautiful vineyards of Tállya and even the top of Mount Tokaj. This is a rougher place to walk.

10. Petrács vineyard, Tolcsva

Tolcsva can’t stay out of this list once we know that its vineyards are historically outstanding, which means according to the above list that it’s worth having a vineyard trip here. Walking up between the nicest plots of Oremus in Petrács, we find ourselves below the Castle Hill, where we get a view of the village hiding among the hills and Mount Tokaj framed by feather grass.