Adventures

Did you know that the Hortobágy Fishpond Visitor Area encompasses the largest fishpond system in Central Europe?

Its construction began in 1916 to convert the Csúnyaföld marsh into fish farming facilities. The nature trail, located along the inner embankment of the Old Ponds, is ideal for young people, families, and seniors, as it requires no elevation climbing. Hortobágy Fishponds are located 7 km from the village of Hortobágy, where the trail starts. At the starting point, visitors can explore fishing equipment before embarking on a 10 km hike.

Key Stops Along the Trail:

-Hortobágy Bird Migration Research Station
Located at the second stop, this station conducts scientific research by capturing small birds using mist nets. After banding, the birds are released back into the wild.

-Buffalo Lake
At the third stop, visitors can observe domesticated buffalo cooling off in the water. This area is a feeding ground for various bird species, particularly egrets, herons, and night herons. Birds like lapwings and redshanks nest in the buffalo-grazed areas, while songbirds, including the rare bluethroat, are also frequently spotted. Around the overwintering ponds, visitors may encounter reptiles and amphibians, including water snakes, often heard through their characteristic "frog-like crying."

-Penduline Tit Tower
This stop features a viewing tower where penduline tits nesting on nearby willow trees can be observed. Visitors are also treated to views of flowering arrowhead plants and yellow iris.

-Fairy-Tale Water Lily Fields
A climb to the next observation tower reveals floating "fairy-tale water lily fields" on the water surface. Here, visitors may also spot the great egret, Hungary's emblematic conservation bird, in its natural habitat.

-Kondás Lake – Final Stop
The trail ends at Kondás Lake, where a boardwalk invites visitors to take a closer look at the avian wildlife at various observation points.

Autumn in Hortobágy is synonymous with the migration of cranes. Kondás Lake serves as a favorite roosting site for these birds, offering them protection from predators thanks to its shallow waters. During the day, the cranes forage in nearby cornfields, but as sunset approaches, they return in flocks to the safety of the fishponds. This breathtaking scene, set against a backdrop of the setting sun, offers an unforgettable experience for autumn visitors to Hortobágy.

Rules and useful advice for visiting the nature trails:

- Visiting Rules apply to all areas maintained by the Hortobágy National Park Directorate.

- The nature trail can be visited in possession of a valid entrance card, which costs 2500 HUF for adults and 1500 HUF for children and retired. The entrance card is available in the building of HNP Látogatóközpont in Hortobágy village. A reduced fee for groups can be requested.

- You can visit the trail on your own

- Please dress according to the weather conditions. In the summer, temperatures can reach 40°C (104 °F), therefore please take enough drinking water with you.

- Toilets are not available along the trail, only at the starting point.

- Please keep quiet, don’t disturb the natural tranquility of the area. Please don’t collect anything on the trail. Please take your litter back to the trash cans at the starting point.

-The nature trail can only be visited with a valid entrance card.

Entrance cards are available at:

- The HNP Visitor Center

- Tourinform Hortobágy Office at Vásártér

 - https://jegy.hortobagyinfo.hu/Tickets

How to Get There:

By car, take the exit at the 67th kilometer of Route 33 towards Hortobágy Fishponds, and continue to the Halászbárka Visitor Center.

GPS Coordinates: 47.605357, 21.071268

Visitor guides: Hortobágy Great Fishponds and Narrow Gauge Railway