BBT-Guided eBike Tour: 'Héthatár' Peaks eBike Tour

The Tihany Peninsula

Even the first few kilometers take in countless sights. It’s no wonder Tihany is called the pearl of Lake Balaton. It’s an exciting warm-up section, as we immediately cycle uphill to Akasztódomb market, then, after passing the row of wine cellars on Cser Hill, we leave the asphalt behind and enter the forest. Emerging from the forest, almost in the shadow of the Golden House cliffs, we stumble upon a secluded lavender field, from where we roll on to the Inner Lake, where that unique circular panorama awaits us. Winding our way through the vineyards, we pass through Rátai Pass and ride down to one of the wildest roads on the shores of Lake Balaton: Sajkod Forest Road. Leaving the church in Apáti behind, we bid a brief farewell to the peninsula.

Aszófő

On a shorter stretch, we comfortably cover the kilometers on the bike path alongside plowed fields and Highway 71. Any traffic is barely noticeable thanks to the panoramic view of Lake Balaton. Along the border, on the sparse pastures, clusters of rockrose, wild roses, hawthorn bushes, and the white rocks scattered everywhere lend the landscape a unique atmosphere.

Örvényes

Here we meander a bit along Vizimalom Street through the charming old village, then slowly begin to explore the Balaton Uplands along St. James’s Road. From here on, assistance is essential to tackle the climb! Due to its uniquely picturesque surroundings, Örvényes is situated on the edge of the National Park; here, our trail leads through a magical ancient oak forest.

Vászoly

With vineyards on either side and a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Balaton behind us, we conquer Vászoly Öreghegy, then pass by the row of wine cellars. After a short stretch, we switch to asphalt on the way to the village, and at the beginning of this section, we find ourselves in a so-called “extra-zonal” area—beech forest. In the village, we visit the small lake fed by St. James's Spring, then cycle a little further uphill through oak groves and leave the southern side of the Balaton Uplands behind.

Vöröstó

In this small, single-street village in the Balaton Uplands, gabled facades with curved, Baroque-style lines are common. Most of the village has been rightfully designated as an area of architectural significance. Here, at the 25 km mark, we continue on the paved road all the way to Nagyvázsony. Nagyvázsony and Kinizsi Castle: The castle is inextricably linked to the history of the settlement. This is no surprise, as it was one of the most notable fortresses of the Hungarian Middle Ages. The castle itself was built on a hill near the source of the Vázsonyi-Séd (stream), which originates in Nagyvázsony and can be reached by heading down Vár Street, which branches off from today’s Kinizsi Street. The tower beckons us from afar to come and visit it. After visiting the castle, we head back into the countryside at the 30 km mark. This is the southern foothills of the Bakony; from here on, we’re heading almost straight up to the summit of Kab Hill.

Kab Hill

The destination of our hike is Kab Hill, the highest peak in the Southern Bakony Hills at 599 meters. We’ll bike a few kilometers through open pastures and fields, then enter the vast forest! From here, we’ll climb nearly 6 km uphill all the way to the TV tower, where the 9-meter-tall Kinizsi Pál lookout stands. From here, we’ll admire the view. We take a short break, let our minds wander over the distant landscapes, and enjoy the summit experience! On the way back, we’ll mostly just coast down.

Barnag

Here we return to the Balaton Uplands, and from this tiny village with just one street, we find ourselves in the world of ancient vineyards, flowering ash trees, and oak groves.

Zádorvár

“A castle once stood there; now it’s a pile of stones.” We reach Zádorvár via a bumpy gravel road. From here, there’s a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Balaton. At the foot of the ruins of Zádorvár, we can already sense that our destination isn’t far—just 13 km away!