Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
In and around Budapest Welcome to Budapest,t he ‘Pearl of the Danube’ with its grand buildings and elegant bridges, a vibrant city, full of history and culture. Let yourself be tempted by the thermal baths, including the famous Gellért. The Fishermen’s stronghold on Buda’s hill will offer you a splendid sight of the Danube, the impressive Chain Bridge and the magnificent architecture of the Parliament. Enjoy the cosy cafes or try the famous local wines in the evening.
Day 2: Eger
In and around EgerToday you take the train to Eger (2 hours), where you will spend the night. Eger is one of the oldest Magyar settlements in Hungary and flourished as a Renaissance centre of culture. The downtown is overlooked by a fortified castle. You will also see the splendid central basilica and discover the baroque charm of the city streets. Once in Eger, you must taste the fiery Eger wines and visit the Turkish bath.
Day 3: Eger – Felsőtárkány
The walking starts today, by leaving Eger on a hiking path going eastward. It takes you into the Hungarian countryside and the Bükk National Park. Initially, you will walk amongst vineyards and meadows. The area is famous for having the best watermelons of Europe. You will cross several rivers and an increasingly wooded zone to reach Felsőtárkány, a lovely village full of vine-laden gardens and parks, which will be your stop for the night. Walking for the day: 4-5 hours, 14 km, 505 m elevation gain, 490 m elevation loss
Day 4: Felsőtárkány – Szilvásvárad
After a hearty Hungarian breakfast, you start your second walking day. This area is particularly rich in wild animals, with the largest population of wild boars in Europe living there. The luckiest will even be able to see moufflons. Leave Felsötárkány and walk along the river under the cover of beeches and oaks as you enter the woods. The highlight of today, in the valley of Szalajka creek, which has several lakes and cascades, is the ‘Veil cascade’. Szilvásvárad is best known for its tradition of breeding Lippizan horses which are of splendid white colour. Walking for the day: 6 hours, 18 km, 615 m elevation gain, 505 m elevation loss.
Day 5: Szilvásvárad – Jávorkút
To leave the village, you may choose to take the forest train which crosses the valley or follow the hiking trail. Your route will guide you through bicentennial forests of beeches, near soldiers’ tombs, which are sad memories of the past wars. The walk will offer you splendid panoramas, and you might see the eagles and falcons which populate the area. This is a favourite hiking area during all seasons, located at the intersection of many hiking trails. Walking for the day: 4-5 hours, 15 km, 585 m elevation gain, 225 m elevation loss.
Day 6: Jávorkút – Lillafüred
You will cross a picturesque karst area and reach Lillafüred, which is in the heart of a small wooded valley where two creeks meet before flowing into a lake. Enjoy the fairytale panorama of the old castle overlooking the lake. Here you can rent a small boat and relax on the lake. Lillafüred also has several beautiful cascades under the castle as well as three caves with impressive stalactites that you can explore in optional guided tours (not included, payable on site). Walking for the day: 3 hours, 11 km, 15 m elevation gain, 350 m elevation loss.
Day 7: Lillafüred – Miskolctapolca
In and around MiskolctapolcaOn this last walking day, you will follow the peaks southwards, while passing close to Bükkszentkereszt where you turn eastward and descend progressively to Miskolctapolca, a charming village, centred around the thermal baths. Relax in the Cave Bath, a spa complex built in natural caves (unique in Europe). Walking for the day: 5-6 hours, 17 km, 435 m elevation gain, 600 m elevation loss.
Day 8: Departure or Onward Travel
Today a private transfer is organised to Miskolc station to take your train back to Budapest (2 hours). Reach the airport by public transport or spend an extra night in Budapest.
