Four recommended cycling routes

Four Recommended Cycling Routes
The Balaton Bike Route
Keszthely – Szigliget – Badacsony – Fonyód – Fenékpuszta – Keszthely
Easy trip for beginners and children. Flat roads, safe bike route, with plenty of sights. Approx 75km, or only 35km if you take the boat from Badacsony to Keszthely.
Keszthely is one of the starting points of the Balaton Bike Route. The route runs parallel with the railway along both the northern and the southern beaches. Having left the railway station, you will ride on the pathway for a while, since the bike route only starts at the harbour. It is worth taking a short stop on the way to Szigliget to visit the beach at Alsógyenes (the so-called ‘Little Beach’), which has preserved a past-time atmosphere. The Bringatanya (Bikers' Den) at Gyenesdiás is an excellent place to enjoy a soft drink or an ice cream, or even to have minor repairs done on the bike. St Michael’s Hill at Vonyarcvashegy is worth climbing both for the chapel on the top and the marvellous panorama that you can enjoy from there. Szigliget is famous for the Castle Hill and the ruins of the castle originally built in the 15th century. Looking down from this summit, you will see one of the most beautiful landscapes in the whole of Hungary. This small village must have occupied a strategic location during the Turkish occupation since it has two castles, which helped it repel attackers. The next stop is Badacsony – be sure to taste a glass of the famous ‘Kéknyelu’ wine before boarding the boat to Fonyód. You can take your bike on board for an extra fee. Fonyód boasts the so-called Crypt Villa, which was erected by a pharmacist from Pécs in honour of his fiancée who died before they wed. The loving couple, carved from stone, are depicted dreaming on their wedding bed in the basement (or ‘crypt’) of the house. Follow the route from Fonyód along the southern coast of Lake Balaton via Fenékpuszta (with its Roman ruins) to Keszthely. Although this region is flat, it is far from being monotonous thanks to the sunny beaches and the views of the volcanic hills across the water.

The Keszthely Hills
Beginners’ route: Keszthely – Gyenesdiás – Büdöskút – Balatongyörök – Vonyarcvashegy – Gyenesdiás – Keszthely
Easy journey with a steep uphill section. Recommended for beginners who like forests and the natural environment. Approx 30km through beautiful surroundings.


This is one of the most stunning trips you can take in the Keszthely Hills. It is also recommended for beginners, although there are some undulating sections. Leave the bike route to the north at the beach at Alsógyenes, and follow Faludi utca after the roundabout up to the village limits, where you will take a short dirt track to the paved forestry road. The next section is steep, but the sights will definitely make it worth the effort. The Keszthely Hills fall within the Balaton Uplands National Park, which means this is a preserve. You will find several short uphill and downhill sections on your way to Büdöskút, where you should stop to enjoy the chorus of birdsong. The slope from Büdöskút takes you through shady forest up to Balatongyörök. Those who feel particularly fit can climb to the top of the lookout on Garga Hill, named after Mátyás Bél; the view ranks as high as any at Balaton. You may choose to dip into the cool water at the beach or simply take the bike route back to Keszthely.
Extended route: Keszthely – Kertváros – Cserszeg – Rezi – Zalaszántó – Várvölgy – Vállus – Büdöskút – Keszthely
Medium difficulty. Longer tour for experienced bikers; steep uphill sections, mostly on highways. Approx 70km.
Cserszegtomaj occupies three hills and two valleys, and is famous for its tasty wine – the Cserszegi Fuszeres, which was awarded the White Wine of the Year title in the UK in 1998. Once you've set aside your wine glass, get back on your bike and ride to Rezi, where you will have yet another chance to taste wines: this region is famous for its Riesling vine as well as the beverage it is used to make. There used to be a castle in Rezi, which was first mentioned in 1333 (although today only rubble remains). If you take the steep path up to the ruins you will be compensated for your efforts by the marvellous panorama you can enjoy here. You can take a winding path from Rezi to Zalaszántó. The village's 13th-century church gives it a romantic ambience. The other famous sight at Zalaszántó is a Buddhist memorial place – the largest stupa in Europe, which towers from the top of the Világosvár Hill. Its white peak is visible through the foliage long before you reach it. There is a lengthy, straight road from the village to Várvölgy, a pretty settlement in the middle of the forest. Continue your trip via Vállus to Büdöskút, from where you can join the route described above. 

Medicinal Spas and the Zala Valley
Keszthely – H évíz – Nemesbük – Kehidakustány – Zalacsány – Szentgyörgyvár – Nemesboldogasszonyfa – Alsópáhok – Keszthely
Medium difficulty. Two large level differences, mostly on highways. Approx 50km.

This route connects the world-famous bathing resort of Hévíz to the Balaton Bike Route. After just a few kilometres you will see Lake Hévíz from the hills. The trail runs right up to the lake, before a medium-difficulty uphill section through the town takes you towards Nemesbük. It is worth spending some time on the bridge connecting the two parts of the village separated by a brook. After another 3km, turn towards the Zala Valley. Conquer a few difficult steep parts and then you can just roll downhill to the riverside. On arriving in Kehidakustány, be sure to visit the adventure spa, which also has an open-air thermal-water pool. The most famous inhabitant of this village was Ferenc Deák, who lived in the family mansion in Kehida. When you decide to return, take the bike route to Zalacsány – where you can take another swim in a lake. Follow a carriageway for a few more kilometres to Szentgyörgyvár – where you may taste some excellent wines – and then take the mountain path via Nemesboldogasszonyfa to Alsópáhok.
Extended route: Keszthely – Nemesbük – Zalaszentlászló – Zalaszentgrót – Kallósd – Kehida – Zalacsány – Hévíz
Medium difficulty. Long tour, for experienced bikers, with very steep uphill sections on highway. Approx 80km.
Those with energy to spare may extend the tour northwards, and carry on after Nemesbük to Zalaköveskút Zalaszentlászló. Consider stopping in Zalaszentgrót to have a relaxing dip in the thermal spa. The byroad that will take you to Kehida continues on the opposite bank of the River Zala. Make sure you visit Kallósd and the round monumental church. See above for the way back from Kehida.

Tour Around ‘Little Balaton’
Keszthely – Fenékpuszta – Tüskevár
Very easy. Flat roads. Approx 18km.

Leave Keszthely on the southbound bike path. The most interesting sight while en route is the ornithology station, where you can learn how birds are caught and ringed, and the young ones can enjoy a visit to the small zoo park. Have a ‘bikers' cocktail’ at the ‘400-Year-Old Inne’ in Fenékpuszta (called Valcum in Roman times). This settlement was fortified by the Romans in the 4th century AD, and you can take a turn around the ruins. Under the ownership of the aristocratic Festetics family, the village was the hub of the manor, and was a centre for horse breeding and even ship making. Continue your trip towards the Little Balaton Research House; the bike route ends here, but there is an excellent gravelled path along the integrated belt canal, which collects water from Lake Hévíz. You will need a special permit, however, to visit Diás Island, and the hut of Uncle Matula, as well as the István Fekete Memorial Museum. This trip is an excellent choice for families with little children.
If you turn towards Balatonszentgyörgy after leaving Fenékpuszta, your first stop should be the Gulya Inn, where you can also watch some Hungarian grey cattle. Having passed over the railway crossing, turn right towards Vörs. The small fishing and fire-fighting museums and a few regional cottages are only a few of the attractions. Leave the manor in Vörs and ride along on a dirt road to find several birdwatching stations. You can even reach the River Zala by bike.
Longer Tour Around ‘Little Balaton’
Keszthely – Alsópáhok – Sármellék – Zalavár – Zalaszabar – Garabonc – Zalakaros – Zalakomár – Balatonmagyaród – Zalahídvég – Sármellék – Keszthely
Medium difficulty. Lengthy trip, mostly on highways, with some challenging sections. Approx 80km.
Lake Balaton and Reservoir 1 of ‘Little Balaton’ are not currently connected by a bike route, thus it is recommended that you take safe highways. The Soviet military airport in Sármellék has a long and eventful history. Today, it is home to FlyBalaton (with Ryanair flights arriving from the UK). Leave the airport and you will soon arrive in Zalavár. Although it is a small settlement, there are many things to see here: take the path through the forest to the ruins of the basilica of Récéskút. The Little Balaton Exhibition House – which showcases some of the local wildlife – is not far from the ruins. Having crossed the embankment, which is a popular fishing spot, you can alight at Zalakaros for some refreshment. The greatest attraction of this town is its medicinal spa, which offers a rejuvenating experience all year round. The road will turn back a little via Zalakomár to Balatonmagyaród, which has a fascinating buffalo reserve. After leaving Balatonmagyaród, turn left on a road flanked by poplars and follow it to Kányavári Island. You can take a stroll on the island, passing fishermen and water birds, and climb the lookout towers. The next stop is Zalahídvég, which is a backwater of the River Zala (rather than a settlement in itself); here you can enjoy the sight of cormorants and other birds.