Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

160  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION NOR THERN TR ANSD ANUBIA  161

7 A Tour Around the Bakony
5 Bakonykoppány 4 Kőris-hegy Tips for Drivers
An easy hiking trail
The Bakony refers to the volcanic mountain range that rises A centre of the Bakony takes walkers from Tour length: 130 km (81 miles)
behind the northern shore of Lake Balaton, as well as to the dense wine-making industry, Bakonybél at the foot All the roads on the tour are in
the area is famous for its
forests that cover the hills and valleys of the region, stretching full-bodied white wines. of the hill up to the good condition, though the
from Balaton in the south as far as Pannonhalma Abbey in the Visitors should look out for summit of Kőris-hegy; minor routes from Zirc to Pápa
and from Ajka to Herend get very
at 704 m (2,309 ft), the
north. Dotted with vineyards and old wine-press houses, it is one the wine-press houses, highest of the Bakony narrow and twisty in places.
of the most scenic parts of Hungary. It Győr which are dotted amongst hills. The path leads Stopping-off points: Zirc, with
the vineyards.
was devastated during the Turkish back down to Zirc on its museum, Cistercian Abbey
withdrawal from Hungary in the Csót the other side. and arboretum, is a good choice
for a short stop, while the larger
17th century, and resettled and busier town of Pápa, with its
with Saxons from Germany 3 Bakonybél pretty historic centre, offers a
in the 18th century. Many Nagygyimót Béb The gently sloping, grassy hills above the pretty wealth of choices for lunch.
village of Bakonybél are accessible via a number
of the villages today have Pápa of well-marked hiking trails, and make superb
a distinctly Germanic feel. Borsosgyőr Bakonyszücs spots for picnic lunches.
Ugod 2 Zirc
J
Famous for its large
6 Pápa Cistercian Abbey, Zirc is
The Viennese Kéttornyúlak Győr also home to the
artist Johann Ignaz Bakony Natural
Mildorfer is resp- Tapolcafő Borzavár History Museum.
onsible for the beautiful Cuha
ceiling fresco found at the Pápa- Tapolca Nagyesztergár
Esterházy Palace Chapel. kovácsi
The town is also known for its Tündérmajor J
rich, royal blue cloth, made here Zirc
by the Kluge family since 1783, for Gerence
seven generations until 1956. Ganna Iharkút
Gerence
Döbrönte Pénzesgyőr Akli Olaszfalu
7 Bakonyjákó Németbánya
Set in a picture-postcard spot, this village was one of many
in the Bakony that was popular with German settlers in the Farkasgyepű
18th century. Many of the houses are typically Saxon, set at Lókút Eplény
a right angle to the main road. Középső-HajagKözépső-Hajag
646 m646 m
Hárskút
8 Városlőd Csehbánya
At the meeting point of the Northern and Magyarpolány
Southern Bakony stand the ruins of the
11th-century Hölgykő Castle, destroyed
by the Turks in the 16th century. 1 Veszprém
Városlőd was repopulated by German Bakonygyepes Hungary’s best-pre served
settlers in the 18th century. Kislőd Gyulafirátót castle district rises above
Ajkarendek one of the country’s most
Herend Székesfehérvár,
Körmend Torna Budapest pros perous cities. With
Márkó many fine restaurants, this
Szentgál Kádárta is a good place to start and
Séd end the tour.
9 Ajka
Fine handmade glass, crystal and
porcelain have been produced in Veszprém 0 kilometres 5
Ajka since German settlers set up 0 miles 5
a factory here in 1878. Although Padragkút
the factory itself is not open to
the public, there are two
shops in the village selling Key
wares made at the factory. q Herend
The hand-painted porcelain Motorway
0 Úrkút made here is famous the Tour route
The route from Ajka to Herend, passing through world over. Visitors may visit
Úrkút and the Szentgál Valley, is one of the most the museum and exhibitions, Major road
scenic in Hungary, offering up a wealth of and also watch some of the 600 Other road
gentle hills and wonderful views. artists who work here in action. Main railway
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285 For keys to symbols see back flap
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