Fjällräven Vándortúra

The Fjällräven Hiking Tour offers you the opportunity to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the Balaton Highlands, on a designated route, in safe, organized conditions, in great camp sites and in fun company. The route from Pálkő, passing through Mencshely and Kapolcs to Köveskál and from Káptalantótin to Pálkő brings together wonderful places such as the tip of the Hegyes-pinnacle, the castle of Nagyvárzsony, the charming settlement of Salföld, the Csobánc and the Tótihills enchanting panorama. We have selected, and have collected 10 wonderful sights which we will have the chance to visit during the five-day hike.

Near Révfülöp, on the shore of Lake Balaton, we find the remains of a special 3-ship manorial church, which gives a very impressive sight even in the ruins. Compared to the temples nearby, it has a sanctuary which is closing with special arc. Its age is astounding too, according to findings it was probably built in 1082. Shortly after the start, this is the first attraction that gets in the way, so take a look around before climbing up to the viewpoint tower on top of Mount Philip.

This year, the Fjallraven Hiking Tour departs from Pálkő for a five-day, spectacular tour of the most beautiful sights of the Balaton Hills. Heading north from the settlement, there is an emblematic shape from the softly rolling hills - also called the Hegyes-tű, or Needle in English language. The former volcano’s lava has now cooled for eons into narrow rocks, solidifying the original cone-shape hill, and by now the long closed mine has excavated half of the basalt dome. Thanks to conservation efforts, the other half of the summit is now an ecotourism attraction, a geological display site and a spectacular panoramic viewpoint.

Between Dörgicse and Mencshely the volcanic high of the famous Halom-hill rises. The path leading to the exquisitely renovated lookout winds between lovely little grape-press huts and small plots, offering yet another beautiful view of the Balaton surface mirroring and the ruins of Dörgicse temple. On the top of the hill a map of Hungary, showing the sites and types of different stones and a magical panorama awaits the wanderer.

Between Pula and Nagyvázsony we find mysterious ruins in the forest. The monastery, is touched by the National Blue Tour and the Fjallraven Hiking Tour, was once inhabited by Pauls who had been living in a unique valley. Today, there is only one wall with a circular window proclaiming the puritanical spirit of the Pauline order, which sought value not in its transient worldly goods but in its spiritual elevation. Next to the ruins we will find a crystal clear spring and beautiful meadows.

The Káli Basin is one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Balaton Highlands. On the northern edge of the basin is the watchtower Black Mountain with its particular atmosphere, which is interesting not only because of its climate but also because of its special wildlife. The most intimate settlements of the Káli Basin border this area, Szentbékkálla in the west, picturesque Köveskál in the south and Balatonhenye in the east.

The basalt is covering like a blanket the mountain, which forms a wavy, hilly plateau with lakes of unusual origin. The strange marshy meadows and reed-covered lakes are surrounded by true wildlife - the Eötvös viewpoint offers a splendid view to the mountain and the famous Lake Balaton Witness Mountains. During early spring the dry meadows is the habitat of the Pasque flower, and in early summer, a rare and highly protected, glacial glacial species, a symbol of the Balaton Uplands National Park is blooming and it’s name is Bird’s Eye primrose.

The tranquil village of Szentbékkálla offers countless geological and natural attractions. Walking northeast we can walk to the crater lakes of Fekete Hill, but if heading west, we head towards Mindszentkálla, leaving the settlement one of the most spectacular sights of the Balaton Highlands is the Stone Sea. Scorching summer heat has eroded and forged the these special rock formations from the soft stone hills which is covered with Hair grass and is loud from crickets chirping, where the most interesting is the stone table which balances top of another rock and is called Ingó-stone.

One of the new features of this year's Fjallraven Hiking Tour is the choice between daily distances. During the day four, we have the so called king-section where can choose to climb up to two castles and two inactive volcanoes. Beside the Tátika uphill rising above the Mountains, we can climb up to Csobáncs which offers a wonderful panorama.

One of the most beautiful views of the Balaton Highlands can be seen as we hike one of the most beautiful of the witness mountains: the top of the 378-meter-tall Csobánc Castle. On a summer evening, in the western skies, when the sun is setting and is scratching the horizon even draws the contours of Sümeg Castle Mountains, but in clear weather, not only Badacsony and Szigliget Castle and behind Lake Balaton, but even Somló Hill can be spotted where one of the best wines can be seen in the distance.

We can enjoy more beautiful panoramas from the witness mountains of the Balaton Hughlands - the landscape from the tip of Badacsony or Gulács hill is unique. The Badacsony plateau is supported by the mountains facing the water - decorated with a row of grape vines producing delicious wines. The charming villages of the Káli Basin, with their beautiful built environment and excellent restaurants, will tempt the wanderer. On the border of these two beautiful landscapes we find the twin peaks of Mount Tóti and Gulács. With its 360-degree panoramic panorama of Mount Tóti, the sunny day offers a spectacular view and is the ideal spot to meditate about great things of life. From the viewpoint we can se on the opposite side of the lake Fonyód and we can enjoy the gleaming water of Lake Balaton, the view is framed by the blue sky and the hills covered with lush green forest.

During the Fjällräven Hiking Tour you will get to know the most beautiful natural values, unforgettable sights and friendly villages of the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Among the most beautiful landscapes of the Balaton Highlands and the Káli Basin we find the scenic village of Salföld . It is worth visiting because of the Nature Conservation Manor and the Barn Gallery, but beside the cozy settlement we also find a geological gems, the Salföld stone sea.

In the depths of the forest surrounding the village of Salföld we can also wander between the walls of his beautiful monastery ruins bulit by the mysterious Pauls. The tranquility of the village and the beautifully renovated memories of the folk architecture of the Balaton Uplands fascinate the traveler. As we leave the village, we can find this church ruin towards Ábrahámhegy or Badacsonyörs. The Pauline monastic order, a former Abbey with a beamed window of the white abbeys, is now surrounded by a pillar of trees in a secluded valley surrounded by bird aong and its roof is the sky. The former holy site of the Paulines still has a very special atmosphere, so be sure to visit!

On the last day of the Fjallraven Hiking Tour, we are getting closer and closer to our destination, the Badacsonyörs final destination. Crossing the ridge of Örsi Hill we can get a glimpse of Lake Balaton, from here the finish line is only a few kilometers away! But don't be in a hurry, as a pine forest with a magical atmosphere invites you to chill - the Folly Arboretum. The Kisörsi Hill above the lake shore also has a beautiful view of Fonyód city on the other side, the Badacsony and the Abraham Hill chapel on the other side - but it is not only worth the view, as here you will find the famous Folly Arboretum.

The Folly Arboretum nurtures 130 species of temperate open-air, pine, cypress and cedar species for over a hundred years. Walking among the vast evergreens, we can feel as if we were in the Alps or in the Tatras as the wind breezes through the conifer branches we can hear the sound like an organ playing. Climbing up the steep hillside, we can see farther above the water - a cozy oak grove on the top of the mountain, a Permian red sandstone poking from the ground and an organic shaped wooden watchtower. From here you can enjoy the most beautiful view of Lake Balaton and the surrounding mountains.

Once you've enjoyed the magnificence of the arboretum and calmed down by the thousands shades of green, let's descend to the sophisticated terrace of the hostel - the fine wines of Folly Winery lined up for a bottle-filled poetry. Choose the type that suits your taste and mood - I recommend Budai Zölde, Boróka and the Cédrus, in that order, and enjoy the view from the shaded terrace to the east. I'll tell you in advance - it will be hard to leave this magical place ...