distance 45.3 km; travel time 12 hours 40 minutes

The special atmosphere of this route is due to the occurrence of three completely different landscapes: we leave the flatlands behind us to taste the world of the wooded hills of the Transdanubian Mountains and finally finish the tour on the densely built-up shore of Lake Balaton. The varied experience is lined with historical monuments: besides Sümeg, we can climb two abandoned castle ruins, but we can also admire a centuries-old watermill. Spend some time on Kovácsi Hill, rising on the border of Zalaszántó.  This small hill hides a rich geological treasure and an exciting cultural attraction.

The first few kilometers of the route take us on flat, solid pavement, but we are already in the mountains. We soon reach the warm temperate forests. The first height we climb is Tátika, and from there we descend to Zalaszántó. Although the National Blue Trail passes under Rezi, it is worth climbing it for the panorama preserved by the ruins. After, the road leads to Hévíz through long hills often covered with vines, from where we reach Keszthely, the shore of Lake Balaton on foot.

TIPS

• At the regularly held Sümeg castle games we can experience the everyday life of the landscape’s historical past.

• We pass a number of castle ruins that have survived in different conditions: the Castle of Sümeg preserves the original form of the building, but in the case of Rezi and Tátika, our imagination is needed if we want to picture the original view.

• The Buddhist stupa above Zalaszántó, inaugurated by 14th Dalai Lama, is a unique attraction.

• The famous thermal lake of Hévíz offers a long-lasting experience.

• Living up to its nickname "the capital of Lake Balaton”, Keszthely awaits hikers arriving on the shores of the lake with a varied cultural offer: don't miss the bustle of Festetics Castle and the exhibition of the Balaton Museum.

Section lengths from stamp to stamp (in kilometers)

Sümeg 6.4 Sarvaly Forest House 15.1 Zalaszántó 6.4 Rezi 2.6 Gyöngyösi Tavern 7.9 Hévíz 7 Keszthely

Recommended intermediate embarkation and disembarkation points along the route

• Zalaszántó (OKTPH_20_1, OKTPH_20_2): Zalaszántó, Ádám utca bus stop

• Rezi (OKTPH_21_1, OKTPH_21_2): Rezi, bus waiting room bus stop

• Hévíz (OKTPH_23): Hévíz, bus station bus stop