Kis-Balaton round tour from Zalakaros (blue C)

1. Route details
This 36 km long tour runs on the south-western parts of the Kis-Balaton region.
The tour is not easy, it is medium difficult not only because of its length but also because of some hilly part. In the built-up areas there may be more traffic.
The route partly leads through built-up area and only on asphalt roads which are low-traffic roads and bike roads.
The tour is signed in two directions: to complete it follow bike sign blue C.
The recommended route to complete the tour follows Zalakaros, Garabonc, Nagyrada, Zalaszabar, Zalavár, Hídvégpuszta, Balatonmagyaród, Zalakomár and Zalakaros. The starting point of the tour is Bike Centre in Zalakaros. From here follow bike sign blue C.
Road numbers on the tour: 12 (on total length of the tour).
Along the route there are several bike shelters and rest places (Kis-Balaton, Hídvégpuszta, Bivalyrezervátum, Zalakaros) and other places to stop and rest (Kis-Balaton House, Laki István floodgate, Kányavári island, Buffalo reservation).
In the inhabited areas, there are some dining, food and other shopping facilities but water points and rest rooms are limited.

2. Difficulty factors in the tour
There are no particularly difficult sections but the first part of the tour is hilly and more densely populated so there may be higher traffic.
Heavy traffic is possible at the Zalavár junction of the Újszabar-Zalavár road that cuts across the water surface.
The most challenging uphill part of the tour is the road that runs through Nagyrada (in case of not making a detour to the Zobor Adventure Park).

3. Highlights of the tour
This tour is the Kis-Balaton round tour of Zalakaros. It runs around Lake Hídvégi which is the largest water surface of the Small Balaton. The whole area is part of the Balaton Uplands National Park. The tour includes the classical atmosphere of the Kis-Balaton region and its most important sights, too.
The first third of the tour (ca. 12 km) runs on the edge of Kis-Balaton region and the Zala Hills in a hilly area, through historical villages (Garabonc, Nagyrada, Zalaszabar).
From the Újszabar-Zalavár road that divides Lake Hídvégi and from its Zalavár side there is a real Kis-Balaton landscape and atmosphere. Reeds, ducks, egrets, swampy wooded areas, shiny water surface and fishermen are typical for this countryside. Fishing is allowed on both sides of the road that divides the water surface. So we can always see anglers here wondering whether they would catch carp, catfish, pike or perch. River Zala reaches Lake Hídvég near Zalavár where it first joins the Kis-Balaton and its water protection system.
South of here, the route leads on the on embankment, along Lake Hídvégi, between canals in a pleasant and quite environment.
It is worth stopping at the small lookout tower and at the ‘Laki István’ floodgate (dam and fish ladder) where we can see a little bit of the operation of the water protection system. There is also a bird watch from where we can observe the well-known birdlife of the region such as ducks, grey herons and different seagulls.
During the tour it is worth taking three small detours: visit the Kis-Balaton House, the Kányavár island and the Buffalo reservation.
A detour to the Kis-Balaton House means ca. 250 metres extra. Here we can learn how the water protection system of Kis-Balaton works and how it helps to clean the water of River Zala before it reaches Lake Balaton. Around the building we can have a glimpse into the memories of the former historical town of Mosaburg and the thousand-year old history of county Zala.
A detour to the Kányavár island means ca. 250 metres extra, too. This island is a specially protected but freely accessible area of Kis-Balaton. The specially curved, wooden-structured bridge leading to the island has become a symbol of Small Balaton and is a unique sight in itself. From here we can admire several water plants. On the small island there is the ‘Búbos vöcsök’ study trail, two small lookout towers and a picnic area.
The Buffalo Reservation of Kápolnapuszta is a curiosity. Hungary’s largest number of buffalo herd is located ca. 2.2 km away from the junction of the road between Balatonmagyaród and Zalakomár. It is the home of the largest buffalo herd of Hungary. Here we can see several hundreds of buffalos close-up but binoculars can also help to observe the wallowing and grazing buffalos. We can learn about them on a small exhibition or by walking along the study path. There is a nice place for picnic here as well.
It is definitely worth visiting these places since these are special and deservedly popular spots of the region so that you could return home with new experiences.