Lake Velence

Owing to its favourable geographical and natural characteristics, the lake is one of Hungary's most popular resorts. It is aptly named the 'lake of sunshine', for the sun is out an annual average of 2,050 hours. It has an area of 26 square km, an average depth of 1.2 m and is rich in minerals. Winds blowing from the Velence Hills make the lake ideal for sailing. Secluded sedge marshes are favourite spots for anglers. Gárdony is the centre of tourism along the lake. One of the oldest resorts here is Velence, where a yacht club was started 70 years ago. The sunlit slopes of Bence Hill are dotted with rows of protected cellars, press houses and wine cellars. The hilltop gives a superb view of the lake.

Occupying one-third of the lake, the bird reserve among the reeds, which are segmented with narrow waterways and inner bays, is home to rare waterfowl. 28 species hatch here regularly. The lake is also fun in the winter, offering skating and ice-sailing.

Of the two historical monuments in Pákozd, one commemorates victory, the other defeat; nevertheless, both are reminders of the heroism of Hungarian soldiers. Dedicated to the victorious Battle of Pákozd on 29 September 1848 during the 1848-1849 War of Independence waged against the Hapsburgs, a memorial exhibition offers a re-enactment of the battle on a plotting board. The obelisk was erected to commemorate the centenary of the battle. The other monument is an ecumenical chapel, built in memory of the Hungarian soldiers who perished in the massacre along the bend of the River Don in the winter of 1942. The Pákozd-Sukoró Arboretum is the habitat of nearly 250 trees and shrubs, where there is a nature trail and a hide for bird watchers, which also functions as a lookout point. The lookout gives a splendid panorama of Lake Velence and its patches of reeds.

The Bakony Hills

The hiding place of outlaws, the picturesque Bakony was a continuous area of woodland until as late as 19th century. Today the area of high Bakony is a protected nature reserve with lovely beech forests, picturesque valleys and over 1,100 caves (the caves of the Likas and Csatár Hills, Kőlik and Szentgál, etc). Cutting through the hills, the gorges and ravines of the Gerence, Séd, Hódos, Gaja and Cuha streams are popular hiking destinations. Another magnet for tourists is Ördög-árok: there are iron ladders traversing the huge cliffs of Ördög-gát. 150 steps lead to the cave at Odvaskő once inhabited by prehistoric man.

The forests of the Bakony Mountains are a natural habitat for deer, fallow deer, mufflons, wild boar, wild cats and 104 highly protected species of birds. Its highest point is Kőris Hill (709 m) with a lookout tower at its top. The primordial pine forest of Fenyőfő is one of the country's most beautiful pine woods, with 20-m tall trees of more than a hundred years of age. Europe's second largest yew forest can also be found on the outskirts of Szentgál.