ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

The Glories of Hungary 2008

- a self-guided walk among vineyards, castles and lakes

This is a walk through the area of  Bükk, one of the most beautiful areas of Hungarian countryside, from spring with its wild flowers through the warm central European summer to colourful autumn.

 

The itinerary also takes you to some of the loveliest Hungarian cities, from Eger to Miskolc Tapolca, with one of the most typical thermal spas of Hungary. Good food, excellent wine and unspoilt nature. Easy to moderate walking.

PRICE

£425 per person based on two people sharing. Single supplement: £120. Extra nights in Budapest (B & B): £30 per person based on two people sharing. Transfers from Budapest Airport to the city: £10 per person (based on 2 people).

INCLUDED

6 nights half board (breakfast and dinner) with private bathrooms; route notes and maps; luggage transfers on walking days; transfer from Budapest to Eger on first and from Miscolc Tapolca to Budapest on last day (both by train); local back-up.

NOT INCLUDED

Transportation to/from beginning/end of holiday. Drinks and personal expenses. Entry to museums or baths.Transfers except where specifically mentioned.

Departure dates 2008:  April to end of October.

To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - From Budapest to Eger: Rendez-vous at Budapest train station. Budapest is a beautiful city worthwhile exploring if you have the time. Train to Eger (about 2 hours) for overnight and transfer to accommodation. Eger is a small and pretty town overlooked by a fortified castle that you can visit and which was the last defence against the Turkish invasion in Europe. Perhaps you may like to try the open-air thermal baths and even try a game of chess while soaking in the hot water. It is also an excellent wine centre – in the 'Valley of the Beautiful Woman' there are plenty of opportunities to taste Bikaver (Bull's Blood) or the sweeter wines of the area (Leanyka, Muskotaly…). Eger is surrounded by vineyards and if the wine is far from expensive, it is nevertheless excellent. Dinner and night at Eger.

Day 2 - From Eger to Felsötarkanya: You leave the beautiful baroque city of Eger eastward into the Hungarian countryside, among vineyards and watermelons (allegedly the best in Europe). Arrive at the village of Nosvaj, known for its many wine cellars – a good place for a break by the waterside. Then set out again north-west in an increasingly wooded zone in order to reach Felsötarkanya, which will be your stop for the night, near a superb small lake, Szikla, in the middle of luxuriant vegetation. Dinner and night at Felsötarkanya.
Approximately 5H30 of walking. 21 kms/13.2 miles

Day 3 - From Fesökartanya to Szilvasvarad: The area of Bükk is well stocked with game, including the largest specimens of deer and wild boars in Europe. If you are lucky you will even see moufflon. You leave Fesökartanya and pass along the river under the cover of the beeches, hornbeams and oaks to soon come to a set of hills over which you pass to reach a small lake from which a path enables you to visit a prehistoric cave (Istallosko). Pass meadows overlooked by huge fir trees and cross small rivers filled with trout on pretty log bridges. The highlight of this day is the valley of Szalajka which has several lakes and a spectacular waterfall. Dinner and night at Szilvasvarad, known for its Lippizans horses. Approximately 5H00 of walking. 21 kms/13.2 miles

Day 4 - From Szilvasvarad to Répashuta: To leave the village, we recommend that you take the small train which crosses the valley in order to avoid backtracking from the day before. The 45 minute ride costs around 1 euro per person and there is a departure every hour. The walk takes you through beech forest, passing the remains of the old limestone furnaces that was once an important industry here. Splendid views and glimpses of eagles and falcons. To the south of Répashuta, your stop for the night, a small path enables you to reach the cave of Balla where the bones of a bear, hyena, buffalo and a prehistoric child as well as stone tools were discovered. Dinner and night at Répashuta. Approximately 5H50 of walking. 22Kms/13.75 miles

Day 5 - From Répashuta to Lillafüred: You leave Répashuta still going eastward. The well marked route leads you through the woods towards Lillafüred. Cross an astonishing karst area with panoramic views of calcareous rock formations. Lillafüred is in the heart of a small wooded valley where two torrents meet before flowing into a lake. The sight of the castle overhanging the lake is worthy of a fairy tale. You may like to rent a small boat and relax on the lake in company of mallard duck and swan. Lillafüred also has several beautiful cascades under the castle as well as three caves containing impressive stalactites, that you can explore with guided tours. Dinner and evening at Lillafüred.
Approximately 6H00 of walking. 21.5 kms/13.4 miles

Day 6 - From Lillafüred to Miskolc Tapolca: This last step follows the peaks southward, while passing close to Bükkszentkereszt where you will go eastward and down progressively until Miskolc Tapolca. After several days immersion in nature and the culture of the Hungarian countryside, you will arrive at Miskolc Tapolca, a charming residential village centred around thermal baths in natural caves where for less than 10 euros per person for the day, you will be able to rest from your week in agreeably soothing natural hot water with all its beneficial effects.  Dinner and night at Miskolc Tapolca.
Approximately 4H30 of walking. 17 kms/10.6 miles

Day 7 - From Miskolc Tapolca to Budapest. After breakfast, or later if you wish, a transfer is organized to the station from where you will return to Budapest. End of holiday.

 

DIFFICULTY OF WALK

Gentle hills in the main – easy to moderate.

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

If you have attended this walk previously We would love to hear your personal highlights. Mail Us

WEATHER

Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office

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ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

Traditional hotels - all rooms with private bathrooms.

GETTING THERE

Wide choice of flights to Budapest: airlines include
From London:  www.airberlin.com  www.skyeurope.com  www.wizzair.com www.easyjet.com www.ryanair.com www.britishairways.com www.malev.com
From Newcastle: www.easyjet.com
From Bristol: www.easyjet.com
From Manchester: www.jet2.com
From Dublin: www.flyaerlingus.com www.malev.com 
From Cork: www.malev.com
Also accessible by train.

WHAT TO TAKE:

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, rainproof, fleece, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.

 

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks  at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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