Parks, mountains and forests: nature as you’ve never seen it before

It’s not just about culture, history and winemaking traditions: Hungary also has a decidedly green side, made up of forests, mountains, caves and small lakes – perfect for a late-summer outdoor holiday. In the north-east of the country, the Bükk National Park is one of the most fascinating areas: dense beech forests, footpaths, lakes and natural caves are concentrated around Lillafüred, the starting point for exploring Lake Hámori – including by boat – and the Anna and St Stephen caves. Further west, not far from Lake Balaton, the Bakony Hills offer an even wilder landscape of ancient woodlands, valleys and streams. Lake Hubertlaki, with tree trunks emerging from the water, is one of the most unusual spots in the area; several hiking trails set off from the nearby village of Bakonybél and, thanks to the lack of artificial lighting, you can admire one of the clearest starry skies in the country. For those wishing to reach Hungary’s highest peak, the destination is the Mátra, near the border with Slovakia: Kékestető rises to 1,014 metres, and the summit can be reached by walking along a network of footpaths and suspended walkways. An alternative, in southern Hungary, is the Mecsek Mountains, where the lakes of Abaliget and Orfű round off the outdoor experience with walks in the woods, swimming and boat trips. And for those who don’t want to stray too far from Budapest, nature is right on your doorstep in the Pilis Mountains and along the Danube Bend, where you can enjoy gentle walks to the Rám Gorge or the Prédikálószék viewpoint.

https://visithungary.com/category/hiking-and-national-parks