Self-guided Cycling Holiday around Lake Balaton

This holiday follows mainly cycle paths and quiet roads. Some of the routes do involve uneven terrain and hills.

Day 1: Arrival at your hotel in the spa town of Héviz. 

Dependent upon your arrival time a short walk from the hotel to the Lake is well worth a visit.

Day 2: Cycle to Keszthely, the oldest settlement around Lake Balaton. Visit the Festectics Palace, learn about the history of the area at the Balaton Museum. The route is mainly on a purpose built cycle paths, which passes through beautiful woodland. (12 ½ or 21 miles).

Day 3: Spend a free day in Héviz sampling the hotel’s numerous facilities or take a boat trip on the lake. A visit to the old Bled Castle raised proudly above the lake is well worth taking the time to visit.

Day 4: Today’s cycle rewards you with wonderful views over Keszthely Bay and the surrounding area from the 3-storey wooden lookout tower at Felsógyenes. The town of Keszthely itself holds the fourth largest palace in Hungary (29 ½ miles). 

Day 5: Cycle via the historic town of Zalaszentgrot- known for its castle and having the oldest bridge in Hungary- to the Kehida spa in the Zala Valley (31 miles).

Day 6: Enjoy another free day. Try a wine-tasting tour or perhaps a train to the 13th century castle in the town of Sümeg. A whole range of activities also awaits for those interested in sports with golf, horse riding and Paragliding and Gliding being on offer in the locality.

Day 7: Cycle or take the train to Balatonmàriafürdõ. Enjoy a boat ride (May-Sept) across the lake before cycling back to Héviz (19 or 36 miles).

Day 8: Departure day.

Bicycles

You will be provided with a 7 or 21-gear touring bicycle. You will be provided with a basic repair kit and handlebar bag.

Route descriptions

You will receive the route notes for this holiday around 2 weeks before you depart. The hotel will also be able to supply you with extra information.

Flexibility

On this holiday, we will provide you with cycling itineraries, but it’s up to you which routes you cycle and on which days. If you feel like a day out of the saddle, the choice is yours.