distance 41.5 km; journey time 12 hours 10 minutes

Here the Blue Trail arrives in the most mountainous part of the Bakony. Steep and long hills, huge beech groves, sleepy little villages alternate during our hike.

A long forest trek begins on route 8 of the National Blue Trail. We reach the extensive forest of the highest part of the Bakony. We visit wild forests, while looking into beautiful, tidy villages. We pass Bakonybél, which makes great use of the mountainous tourist facilities, and the Pannon Observatory stands out from its other attractions, bringing space closer.

After we step into the realm of beeches and climb the highest region of the Bakony, the 709-meter-high Kőris Hill. From the top we can have a look at the typical Bakony landscape, then we cut across one of the most beautiful montane beeches in the country. Unfortunately, the old trees only partially cover the eastern side of the mountain, but the view of our next stop, Szépalmapuszta is magnificent. Horses roam the wide pastures, with the wooded side of Kőris Hill rising in the background. The landscape gives an alpine impression, we are probably in the most charming part of the Bakony. From here, the blue path leads to Borzavár, and then we descend to the highest town in the country, Zirc.

TIPS

• If time allows, visit the ruins of Hölgykő Castle after Városlőd!

• Star tours in the Old Bakony: anywhere from Bakonybél!

• Bakonybél is the center of the Bakony: Observatory, House of Forests, St. Maurice Monastery, good accommodations offer meaningful recreation for several days.

• Zirc's museums and arboretum are also well worth the time.

Section lengths from stamp to stamp (in kilometers)

Városlőd 12.9 Németbánya 8.6 Bakonybél 7.3 Kőris-hill 7.5 Borzavár 5.2 Zirc

Recommended intermediate embarkation and disembarkation points along the route

• Németbánya (OKTPH_39): Németbánya, roundabout bus stop

• Bakonybél (OKTP_40_1, OKTPH_40_2): Bakonybél, Petőfi street; Bakonybél, üdülő bejárati út bus stops

• Borzavár (OKTPH_42_1, OKTPH_42_2, OKTPH_42_3): Borzavár, post office; Borzavár, grocery store bus stops