Next part of our series is coming. We have written several times, how great opportunities has the Hungarian capital, and now we also tell where to take your journey if you fancy a bit of nature. The starting point is Deák square again.
Starting from Deák Square let’s head west and the Buda side. To do this, use the metro M2 to Széll Kálmán square, where we have to transfer to buses 22A or 222. This will be a bit adventurous due to the reconstruction of Széll Kálmán Square, but not impossible. If you’ve managed to come this far, the best - and only - transport device to discover the hills of Buda is the Children's Railway. We will reach the Széchenyi hill station in the way outlined above, but the other terminal of the Children's Railway can be reached similarly, if we transfer from the bus to the cogwheel (e.g. in Városmajor). This way we will end up on the other final stop: Hűvösvölgy.
One way or another, but we arrive to the hills. This alone can be a perfect destination where you can hike, since Széchenyi memorial and lookout tower is a few minutes far from the Széchenyi Hill Station, while near to the Hűvösvölgy station there is the famous “Nagyrét” (grand field), which is one of the most popular excursion destination in Budapest. But as we are already here, let’s take a proper look at the Buda hills! Let's discover the neighborhood on foot or use the Children's Railway, we can find many wonderful natural treasures either way.
If we are looking at the well-known places to visit along the stops of Children's Railway, the first is Normafa. Normafa is most popular in the winter, because it is the only genuine ski resort in Budapest, but it’s also a nice tourist attraction during spring and summer. This magnificent wooded hilltop is the city's most beautiful lookout point, one favorite picnic place of the Hungarian artists of the last century.
photo:budapestcity.org
Being here, also take a look at Csillebérc, which was a classic pioneer camp in the communist era, but Astronomical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is also close. If you are already here, you should definitely try out the Challengeland, which is one of the coolest forest rope obstacle course in the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN0yMPTTTG8
The next - and much more relaxing - stop is the János hill on the edge of the Forest of Budakeszi. The most popular attractions of the Buda hills (Erzsébet lookout and the Zugliget Chair-lift) are a short walk away from here. Trivia fact: the Erzsébet lookout tower is the highest point of Budapest, it’s 527 meters above sea level.
photo:mw2.google.com
Last but not least: the Wildlife Park Budakeszi, which is definitely a must-see! The primary function of this park operating since 1979 is to present the native wild species of Hungary and Europe in their natural environment. This enclosed area of more than three hundred acres offers interesting and meaningful programs throughout the year. Especially now in the spring season, when little animals are born.
photo:www.vadaspark-budakeszi.hu
I think I’m done with writing this article for now, and go to test the facts written above one more times instead. Care to join me?
