Page 292 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

290  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SPOR T S AND A C TIVITIES IN HUNGAR Y  291

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Cycling
IN HUNGARY Cycling became popular in
Hungary post­Communist
times as in that era roads were
Hungarians adore the great outdoors, and visitors should take the opportunity to join never really good enough to
spend a great deal of their leisure time in. On the Great Plain, horses remain an make cycling attractive. Today,
however, pedal power is one
finding new ways of enjoying nature, both important part of everyday life, and there are of the best ways to explore
in winter and summer. Most Hungarians, at a number of equestrian centres in and around the Hungarian countryside.
some stage, partake in the national ritual that the region’s larger towns. They offer riding In Budapest, the city council
is bathing, and since virtually all towns and courses at all levels, as well as putting on has invested heavily in creating
cities feature at least one thermal baths displays of Hungarian horsemanship. a city­wide cycle path network.
It extends to over 200 km
(124 miles). Nationwide there
in a number of excuse at all to strip off and are more than 2,000 km
languages, “Spas and head for a steam bath, even (1,243 miles) of cycle paths,
Wellness Pack ages” in the outdoors in the middle Boats in the marina at Balatonföldvár, Lake Balaton though not all of these are
Tourist Information Office sign and “On Horseback”, of winter. Old men playing Water Sports paved. Two EuroVelo routes
can be downloaded for chess in the outdoor pool at easier, flat trails on the Great Plain traverse Hungary, one
General Information
free from Tourinform’s excellent Budapest’s Széchenyi baths, Lake Balaton is a major water and along parts of the Danube. following the eastern bank
Tourinform offices are an website (www.tourinform.hu). steam rising from the water sports centre. Among the In all, Hungary has over 11,000 of the Danube, one hugging
excel lent source of informa tion and snow on all sides, is one activities available here are km (6,835 miles) of trails, marked the eastern bank of the River
on sports and outdoor of Hungary’s defining sights. water­skiing, windsurfing, with a coloured stripe according Tisza. In Northern Trans­
activities in Hungary. Most Swimming Pools and With the exception of the rowing, canoeing and water to the length of the danubia, some of
Thermal Baths
stock special publications football team of the 1950s, polo, the last being a popular trail (blue for a long­ Europe’s best cycle
out lining activities in the Most Hungarians view public all of Hungary’s most successful spectator sport. Ever since distance trail, yellow for routes are around
surrounding area, and will bathing as a birthright, and and best­known athletes have the Siófok Balaton Company a short, local trail). All Lake Fertő. There are
provide addresses, telephone with more than 300 operating been swimmers, including opened its doors to paying the National Parks have superb routes in the
numbers and directions to thermal bath complexes in Alfréd Hajós, who won the customers in 1893, however, well signposted trails. Northern Highlands.
nearby thermal bath com­ the country, most of which first ever Olympic swimming Hungary’s favourite water sport One of the best trails Visitors can hire
plexes, swimming pools have larger swimming pools gold medal in 1896, and after has been sailing. In fair weather for good ama teur bikes from a number
and equestrian centres. attached, it is not difficult to whom a swimming pool on Lake Balaton can look like a walkers is the Balaton­ of rental centres in
Two helpful brochures see why. Hungarians need no Margaret Island, Budapest, floating forest of sailing boats. felvidék trail in the Siófok and most of
has since been named. Siófok is the main sailing southern Bakony Hills. the resorts on Lake
It is no great surprise, then, resort, although there are also The 94­km (58­mile) Road sign aimed Balaton – where
that Hungary has made an yachting centres at Szigliget, blue trail starts at at walkers the sport is especially
industry out of its thermal Balaton földvár, Badacsony and Pétfürdő station in popular – as well as at
baths. Visitors have for centuries Balatonlelle. All offer sailing Várpalota, and goes through Bikebase in the capital. Cyclists
flocked to this country lessons to novices, and will hire the most spectacular part of the may take their bikes on trains
from all over Europe to take out boats of various sizes to Balaton­felvidék before ending within Hungary for a fee
to the waters, and to swim the more experienced. Visitors at the railway station in Badacsony. (around 25 per cent of the
in its outdoor pools. The mod­ wishing to lease a boat require Tourinform have an excellent ticket price), but only on
ern aquaparks, including the an International Sailing Licence, free brochure on hiking in specially desig nated trains
super Aquaticum complex at or need to be able to explain Hungary, giving details of identified by the bicycle icon
Debrecen, which has slides, (in best pidgin Hungarian) that routes and accommodation. on the timetable.
water jets, Jacuzzis and artificial they know what they are doing.
waves, make sure that children Usually, a driving licence, pass­
catch the swimming bug early. port or credit card need to be
In summer, Lake Balaton is deposited with the boatyard. For
a popular swimming venue, information contact the Balaton
and while most Balaton resorts Regional Tourist Office.
do not restrict water access To learn how to water­ski,
to swimmers, some parts visitors are advised to head for
of the lake are reserved for Siófok or Balatonfüred or contact
water sports. The water quality the Hungarian Water Ski and
in Hungary is usually good. Wakeboard Association.
People even occasionally
swim in the Danube, especially
around the Danube Bend Hiking
towns of Esztergom In summer trains heading for
and Szentendre. the hills are packed with hikers.
For more information on The northeast of the country is
Hungary’s thermal bath home to some superb, challeng­
Slides at the Aquaticum thermal baths complex in Debrecen complexes see pp26–7. ing hiking trails, and there are Cyclists pausing in front of the Millennium Monument, Városliget, Budapest

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