Bakonyerdő tour (green D)

1. Route details
It is a bucket list tour so you definitely must try it while you are on a Balaton bike tour.
Although the tours in Keszthely Hills require more serious preparation, it can be completed in normal physical condition.
Most of the route runs through forest roads free of car traffic so it can be safely completed with small children, too.
The tour is signed in two directions: to complete it follow bike sign green D.
The dashed line on the maps indicates a dirt and gravel road that is difficult to cross after rain.
On the way, in the forest sections (from the House of Nature to the centre of Balatongyörök) there are no water points and rest rooms.
Along the route there are several bike shelters and rest places (Pilikán, Nagy Messzelátó-hegy, Büdöskút, Kígyós-völgy, Bélap) and other places to stop and rest (shore of Lake Balaton in Balatongyörök, St. Michael’s Hill, Kárpáti promenade).

2. Difficulty factors in the tour
The tour is easier to complete from the direction of Gyenesdiás because the steady uphill road is interrupted by smaller downhill and straight sections, while from the direction of Balatongyörök there is a constant uphill road.
It is a real performance tour because it contains some heavier slopes even this way, but after reaching the top of the hill which is the highest point of the Keszthely Hills, we can feel as heroes of the bike. From Büdöskút toward Balatongyörök we reach the foot of the hill and the banks of Lake Balaton on a heavy downhill road.
The first section of tour, after the Pilikáni rest place, is difficult to cross in rainy weather (1.5 km).
The asphalt-gravel forest section (Büdöskúti road) there may be smaller and larger potholes.

3. Highlights of the tour
You might as well start this tour together with friends or just alone, the goal of this tour is to consciously gain experience and leave your comfort zone. Cycling in itself is a runaway from everyday life but this tour offers much more: several nice forest paths, slopes to be conquered and downhill roads providing the feeling of freedom, friendly rest areas in lovely forest clearings, gorgeous plants, amazing views and the constant vicinity with fascinating panoramas of Lake Balaton. After the tour it may feel like a delicious lunch and a pleasant swim at one of the beaches of Lake Balaton.