Foot of Alps

During this ride, you will discover the villages and towns along the Austro-Hungarian border. You will cycle along the foot of the Alps, on the small backcountry roads of the Őrség, the westernmost national park of Hungary. With the bustling capital of Budapest as starting and ending point, this is an easy trek with much flat terrain and relatively soft slopes.

Program

Day 1 From Budapest to Sopron
After your arrival in Budapest, you will take a train to Sopron, a small city located near the Austrian border. Built on Roman foundations, the city was a stronghold of the Roman Empire. Sopron is a historic city with many protected monuments like baroque sculptures, neo-gothic churches and colourful medieval houses, it hosted coronations and parliaments, features museums and galleries and one of the finest wine-growing regions of the country. All this set at the foot of the Alps offering healthy mountain air and great trekking routes. The hospitality of the city is best characterized by the 1921 public referendum after World War I.; the question, whether the city should belong to Austria or Hungary was posed to the residents and they opted for Hungary. Since then, Sopron is called the ‘city of loyalty’.

Day 2 From Sopron to Kőszeg
The route between these towns will take you partly to Austrian ground. You will touch the home village of the great composer Ferenc Liszt. The trek goes along charming small brooks, through forests at the foot of the Alps and the vines of Sopron. You finally arrive to Kőszeg, a town whose history goes back to the 13th century. Being a border town, it had a turbulent history of battles, but also of prospering merchant families, guilds and culture.
Distance: approximately 60 kms
Dinner and night in Kőszeg

Day 3 From Kőszeg to Bozsók
The route continues along Austrian roads. You will discover some splendid castles like Lockenhaus, ancient seat of the Templers and Schlaining, today the seat of the Austrian Institute for Peace and Education on Peace. Today’s trek concludes in the small, romantic village of Bozsok. Tiny as it is, this village is not without history: in the Northern part of the settlement, one finds the Sibrik Castle, while on the other side, the ruins of the Batthyány Castle. Part of the Írottkő Nature Park, this small village is a calm, charming, hospitable setting perfect for a relaxing evening.
In the park, not far from the village, you can visit the Írottkő observation tower built in 1913. It stands at the highest point of Burgenland and Transdanubia, offering views as far as the Balaton, the Alps as well as Slovenian and Croation mountaintops. Since the border runs through the building, be sure to bring an identity card!
Distance: approximately 54 kms
Dinner and night in Bozsok

Day 4 From Bozsók to Körmend
On this day’s trek, you will discover the most beautiful of the romantic churches in Hungary: the church of Ják. As the day moves on, the slopes become softer, forests and fields line your path. Today’s destination is the town of Körmend. Lying on the river Rába, its history has been marked since the Roman times by the river crossing and the trade routes going through the area. Körmend is characterised by the 15th century castle complex located in the centre of the settlement. Designed by Italian masters, it evolved from a fortification to a baroque castle with tree alleys leading to it from every direction. Körmend is the gateway to the Őrség, a beautiful natural region and reserve to the South.
Distance: approximately 52 kms
Dinner and night in Körmend

Day 5 From Körmend to Kétvölgy
On this day, your route will lead you through the heart of the Őrség, the largest natural reserve of the country. More than 200 springs, 15 brooks of crystal clear water and some 500 species of butterflies are found here. The radiant green of nature in the Őrség may at times remind you of the beauty of Ireland. The end of this day’s trek is the village of Kétvölgy at the Austro-Hungarian-Slovenian triple border. Spread over the undulating green hills, forests and meadows, Kétvölgy is another quiet, beautiful setting to just relax after the day’s trekking.

Distance: approximately 47 ms
Dinner and night in Kétvölgy

Day 6 From Kétvölgy to Csesztreg
From here, the route leads along the Slovenian border and bypasses the heart of the Őrség, the village of Őriszentpéter. Here you can visit the Regional Museum and discover the magnificent frescoes in the 13th century church of Velemér. Csesztreg, your destination today is a small, unspoilt rural settlement with the typical shepherd’s house. Shepherds were often out-of-towners employed by the village community to take care of their cattle, and in this completely original house now exhibits the way of life of small village shepherds around the middle of the 19th century. The other monument of Csesztreg is the Parish church from the 13th century whose frescoes shine anew after their recent renovation in 1994.
Distance: approximately 68 kms
Dinner and night in Csesztreg

Day 7 From Csesztreg to Körmend
This step will lead you around the salty lake. It is part of a natural and very preserved park where more than 300 types of animals live. Several possibilities are offered to you, either you can go around the lake, about 100 kilometres or take the ferry that will leave you more time to go for a swim or to visit Rust, a very picturesque small town of winegrowers.
Distance according to your choice.

Day 8 End of stay.
Departure by train to Budapest in the morning, possibility of making a detour by Szombathely. End of stay in Budapest.

Search for trip

Advanced search

Details

Starting point
Budapest train station.
End
Budapest.
Accommodation
Nights in hotels, panzios (family type hotels) in rooms of 2 persons with ensuite facilities.
Number of people
Minimum of 2 persons
Carrying
The transfers of your luggage is ensured by vehicle. Thus you only have to carry your things needed for the day (picnic, camera...).
Options
- Single room : 89€
- Hybrid bikes 21 speed: : 79€
- Transfer from the airport : 13€
Included
The transfer of the luggage, local assistance, nights in double rooms, dinners and breakfasts.
Not included
Transfer to the meeting point and to the drop off point, the transfer not planned in the program, picnics, bikes, insurances, drinks, visits of sites, optional activities and personal expenses.