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At Hooked on Walking Holidays we have developed two great walking holidays in Hungary. Hungary is now part of the European Union and now with Low cost flights into Budapest exploring the fantastic scenery and sampling the Hungarian hospitality is very economical. Our two walking holidays are in completely different regions. Our first walking holiday is in the upland areas above Lake Balaton south west of Budapest . Our second walking holiday is overlooking the River Danube only 30 minutes from Budapest. Both our walking holidays can be taken as self led holidays.
WALKING TOUR 1
Balaton Uplands National Park
May to October ( Level 2-3 self guided tour )
This tour guides you through the different regions of the Balaton Uplands National Park and the landscape protection areas which can be found in Northern side of Lake Balaton. During the tour you will walk on the most picturesque paths of the area, like the Lake Balaton Blue Tour and Blue Tourist Path of the Country. By the end of tour you will be familiar with extinct volcanoes, basalt organs, geyser cones, stone seas, caves, springs, lakes, forests with old threes, lookout towers, vineyards, peasant houses, wine cellars, press houses, water mill, baroque castles, romantic chapels,fortresses, rare birds and exotic animals of Balaton Uplands Area.
Day 1 Arrival in Balatonf|red
Individual arriving to Balatonf|red, the first health resort centre and spa of Hungary. Getting acquainted with the sights of resort area.
Day 2 On the Blue Trail of the Balaton Upland in Csopak wine region( 10.6 miles , 17 km)
Today you will walk along hillsides full of vineyards of famous Csopak wine region and nice villages from Balatonaracs to Balatonalmadi. Back to Balatonf|red by train.
Day 3 Tihany peninsula ( 8.9 miles , 14 km)
During the tour you will discover not only Tihany village, which one of the oldest settlement in the region, but the varied landscape and the unique geological value of the Tihany peninsula: the natural beauty of the lakes, the hill sides and mountains covered with vineyards, forests, the geyser cones arose as the results of post volcanic activity.
 Day 4 Kali Basin ( 12 miles , 19 km)
Transfer to Hegyest{ and climb up the basalt cone (Sharp Needle - 337m). Walk down to Kvveskal, with reconstructed historical buildings and wine cellars. Follow the blue tourist sign up to the Evtvvs Karoly lookout tower in Fekete hill (369m). Near the village Szentbikalla, walk on the sea of stones. Visit the ruins of a historic fortress on the top of Csobanc hill (375m). Through Gyulakeszi and walk down to Tapolca, where you will stay overnight. You can walk around lake Malom (Mill) and take a small (300 m) boat trip on the cave lake.
Day 5 Witness hills of Tapolca Basin( 14 miles , 21 km)
Start from Tapolca in direction Raposka village and climb up to the most beautiful examples of basalt organs of Szentgyvrgy hill (415m). Walk to the top of hill and down on the blue line you reach the Lions's Head Well close to the baroque Lengyel chapel and Taranyi winepress-house. Arriving in Szigliget you will visit the ruins of a fortress on the top of Castle Hill (242 m). Look around the charming village with romantic peasant houses and old wine cellars. On the road towards Badacsony you will reach the remains of medieval Avas church. In Badacsony a nice excursion path goes around the top of hill (438m). Travel back to Tapolca by train (10 min).
Day 6 Across Keszthely mountains ( 12 miles , 18 km)
Transfer to Lesenceistvand. Walk on the blue line along Csakanytetu (286m) and Kuorra (399m) with excellent views of the Balaton Upland Park. Proceed on the blue line through the village Vallus, then up Szik hill (351m) and Psrak hati valley and Nagymezu (Great field).From the Festetics look-out tower you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Keszthely bay. Accommodation in Keszthely.
Day 7 Rest day and see the sites in historic Keszthely
You can visit many sights of Keszthely, like the renovated city center, Georgikon Manor Museum, Balaton Museum, Roman Catholic church, and the Festetics castle, the largest baroque castle of Hungary. The island beach at Lake Balaton provides good opportunities for swimming or you can try the water of world famous Hivmz , Europe’s largest natural thermal lake is only 5km away from here Kis-Balaton wetland (Little Balaton) with the reed beds is a paradise for birds.
Day 8 Departure or extra nights on request
Accommodation : 3 star hotels
Difficulty: No high terrain maximum around 400-500 metres , days walking of around 4-6 hours
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What is Included
- 7 nights Bed, breakfast
- 3 star graded hotels
- Dinners
- Information Pack
- Luggage transfer
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Extras
- Transport before and after tour
- Single Rooms
- Flights
- Entrance to attractions
- Train ticket
- Lunches
- Travel Insurance
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WALKING TOUR 2
Discover the hills, where the Danube bends
May to October ( Level 2-3 self guided tour )
On this tour you climb up the most characteristic hills of Bvrzsvny and Pilis and enjoy the splendid view from peaks Hegyes, Cssvanyos, Pridikalsszik and Dobogsku, you will visit historical places like Esztergom and Visegrad and explore picturesque villages like Nagymaros, Zebeginy and lovely town of artists Szentendre, and the natural environment of delightful capital of Hungary, Budapest.
The wooded ranges of Bvrzsvny and Pilis to the north of Budapest , along the Danube Bend, are part of the Duna-Ipoly National Park . This beautiful wildlife area is full of water and springs, streams and castles, where you can walk along plenty of the marked routes, like the National Blue Walking Route. There are many protected species of plant and animals in the National Park. The fascinating Bvrzsvny is a range of hills, where the wanderer will find dormant volcanic peaks, deep chasms, and sudden cliff faces. The Bvrzsvny and Visegrad Hills are volcanic origin (andezit) while the Pilis Hills are sedimentary origin, made of limestone and dolomit The highest peaks of the Pilis - Visegrad Hills (Pilis) do not exceed 700 m.The Pilis Hill rich in karst water and there are more than 300 springs in the Bvrzsvny.The most characteristic vegetation type is dry oak forest. Interesting feature in the of landscape is the sweet chestnut. The woods of Pilis were important hunting areas for consecutive royal families
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Day 1 Arrival in Nagymaros
Arriving in Nagymaros, the starting station of tour. The pretty village situated on the north side of the Danube and at the foot of the Bvrzsvny hills with a beautiful view of Visegrad.
Day 2 Nagymaros - Zebeginy - Nagymaros (12.5 miles , 20 km)
Walking through Tvrvkmezo to Zebeginy and visit the Memorial museum of Istvan Szvnyi, where the famous painter of the Danube lived and worked. Then walking back on the path marked with blue signs up the Hegyes Peak from the whole Danube Bend is visible and return to Nagymaros
Day 3 Nagymaros - Kiralyrit (11 miles , 18 km)
Walk along the blue path from Nagymaros through Ksspallag to Kiralyrit. Accommodation in Kiralyrit ( means Royal Meadow and was the hunting ground of King one of the most beautiful meadow of the area).
Day 4 Kiralyrit - Cssvanyos - Kiralyrit ( 14 miles , 22 km)
Hiking up Mount Cssvanyos (929m) the highest peak in the Bvrzsvny, you will walk in beautiful surroundings far away from city noise. Back on the picturesque blue path towards Nagy Hideg Hill and finally arrive to Kiralyrit.
Day 5 Visegrad ( 5 miles 8 km)
By crossing the Danube transfer to Visegrad, the small town in heart of Danube Bend has a rich history, as a royal seat, was the capital of Hungary in the 14th century. We can visit the remains of the Water Bastion, Solomon's Tower, Upper Castle and the ruins of King Matthias Palace. Walking up to Nagyvillam lookout.
Day 6 Visegrad - Kisb|kktetv - Visegrad ( 11 miles , 18 km)
On the whole day trip following the track Sajgsvvlgy, Kisb|kktetu, Urak asztala (Table of Lords), Kiralyzt (King's Road) you will discover of neighbourhood walking spots of Visegrad area.
Day 7 Visegrad - Dobogsku ( 15 miles , 23 km)
On this path you will walk through steep slopes with some big rocks, like Pridikalsszik (Preacher-chair 642m) and Ram precipice ( romantic, adventurous but challenging 1 km long ) before again onto Dobogsku (699m), the walking centre of Pilis Hill. During this tour experienced hikers will enjoy the excellent views of the Danube, the mountains and the surrounding villages.
Day 8 Dobogsku - Pilisszentkereszt - Dobogsku (11 miles , 18 km  )
Today this route leads from Dobogsku beside the highest point of Pilis called Pilis-tetu (756m) through a twisting road with views to Pilisszentkereszt, where you loop back to the starting point north through the forested hills.
Day 9 Dobogsku - Esztergom ( 12.5 miles , 20 km)
Today your marked hiking trail is towards Esztergom and will lead through on area of peace and beauty of untouched nature with lush vegetation.
Day 10 Esztergom - Budapest
First some sightseeing in the royal seat Esztergom, where the first Hungarian King, St. Stephen was crowned in 1000 AD. The Basilika of Esztergom is Hungary's largest church, where Franz Liszt conducted his famous Esztergom Mass. We can admire here the Bakscz chapel, the masterwork of the Hungarian Renaissance . The panorama terrace offers a great view of city. You can't miss to visit the rich collection of Christian Museum. The town is the seat of the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church. The bridge Maria Valeria leading across the Danube to Slovakia. In summer season (from end of May to end of August) you can take a romantic journey by boat from Esztergom to Budapest, during which you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. Out of the summer season you can travel by train to Budapest. Accommodation in Budapest.
Day 11 Budapest - Szentendre - Budapest
Arriving in Szentendre after a 40 minute ride by urban railway (called HIV) from Budapest you can explore the sights of the cultural and tourist centre. In the small town of arts and artists, which is situated on the bank of the Danube you will enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere only to be found here, admire the Serb Orthodox monuments, and select from dozen of museums of city, like the famous open-air folk museum or the popular pottery museum of Margit Kovacs. You can walk between colourful houses, on narrow alleyways to the castle hill, taste the specialties of famed restaurants, cafis, confectioneries or make a deal in small shops, and handicrafts stalls.
Day 12 Budapest, Hills of Buda ( 9 miles 15 km)
A full day trip to Hills of Buda, the Nature Reserve which is rich in wild life, despite of the closeness of the city.Travel by Cogwheel Railway to the top of Szichinyi-Hill then walk up to Janos Hill (Janoshegy, the highest point of Budapest: 529m) and enjoy the splendid view of city from the look tower of Erzsibet Kilats. Take the Children's Railway towards Huvvsvvlgy. From there you can reach by walk the Harmashatarhegy and then Palvvlgyi cave, with beautiful stalagmit formations( where the temperature is around 8 Celsius !) and finally the Ancient Buda.
Day 13 Departure
Individual departure depending on the timetable.
Accommodation : 3 star hotels
Difficulty: No high terrain maximum around 800 metres , some days walking of around 6-7 hours but some shorter days and rest days.
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What is Included
- 12 nights Bed and breakfast
- 3 star graded hotels
- Dinners
- Information Pack
- 7 Picnics
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
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Extras
- Transport before and after tour
- Single Rooms
- Flights
- Entrance to attractions
- Extra nights
- public transport ship or train back to Budapest and local transport in Budapest and Szentende
- Travel Insurance
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2008 Prices
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Tour Code HUNTour1 Balaton Upland
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Tour Code HUNTour2 Danube Bend
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing double room
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£623
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£976
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Single person
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£767
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£1185
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How to get there
By plane to Budapest and then a transfer by train for Tour 1 , for Tour 2 we can organize your transfer from Budapest or you can take the train
Click Below if you would like to review our
Cycling Holidays in Hungary
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