Őrtorony (Guard tower) Lookout Tower
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Őrtorony (Guard tower) Lookout TowerPhoto: Farkas Péter, Magyar Természetjáró Szövetség
The lookout tower sits on the edge of the former volcano crater offering a view of various remnants of past volcanic activity. The two shallow lakes (Belső- and Külső-tó, Inner and Outer Lake, respectively) are reminders of the exploded volcanic crater, although the exact way of their formation is unknown. Külső-tó partially fills the main crater covered with a field of reeds home to rich bird life. This has not always been so. In the 19th century extending agriculture was a higher priority so draining began through a canal. Fortunately, at the end of the 1970s conservation authorities took control and restoration started by closing the canal. The dark blue lake with a larger open water area (Belső-tó, Inner Lake) strikingly contrasts against the bright green colour of Balaton in the background. It also lies in the volcanic caldera and currently serves recreational purposes, such as angling and boating.
From the lookout tower you can see streets of Tihany, the Abbey, the wooded landscape on the left behind the bay is scattered by roofs of Balatonfüred, Csopak and Alsóörs. In clear weather, even Kőris-hegy, the highest peak of Bakony is visible in the north. Behind the hills of the peninsula in the west the view is dominated by Balaton and in the south you may spot the Kőröshegy viaduct on the other side.
The lookout tower built in 2017 sits at 216 metres on Apáti-hegy and reaches 16.5 metres high.
Opens
| Monday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Tuesday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Wednesday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Thursday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Friday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Saturday | 00:00–24:00 |
| Sunday | 00:00–24:00 |
Price:
Free of charge.
Public transport
- Get off the coach (from/to Balatonfüred or Veszprém) at "Tihany, delta elágazás".
- Get off the coach (from/to Balatonfüred or Veszprém) at "Tihany, sportpálya".
Directions
- From bus stop "Delta elágazás" head west along Lepke sor and then walk parallel to Road 71. After around 1 km's walk, just past the access road to Tihany you will arrive at the ruins of Apáti church. Take the Yellow (S) trail (and the Green T (ZT) Lóczy Nature Trail) to the left. Ascend until the Green ▲(Z▲) spur trail branches off, which will guide you to the tower in 3 to 4 minutes (3.3 km, elevation gain: 99 m).
- From bus stop "Tihany, sportpálya" follow the Green ▲ (Z▲) trail along the road exiting the village. Turn left and leave the paved road to keep to the hiking trail. You will soon reach the exposed cliff of Szélmarta-sziklák (Wind-etched Rocks). Continue along the trail passing between the two lakes. Finally, turn to the north and ascend to the lookout tower visible from far (3.2 km, elevation gain: 76 m).
Parking
- Free of charge parking at the crossroads of Road 71 and the access road to Tihany (entry from the access road).
- Free of charge parking near the football field in Tihany along the Green▲ (Z▲) trail.
Coordinates
Recommendations nearby
A quiet corner of the Tihany peninsula can be explored on the tour.
Nagy körtúra a Tihanyi-félsziget legszebb részein a gejzírmezőkön át a Belső-tó és Külső-tó partjáig
The 3rd stage of the Giro d'Italia 2022 leads from Kaposvár to Balatonfüred. Here, too, there is a climb with a 4th category mountain ...
Körbekerekezés a Balaton keleti medencéjében
On this stretch we leave the quiet peninsula of Tihany and explore the bustling shores of Balatonfüred.
Körtúra a Tihanyi-félsziget vulkanikus dombjain
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Őrtorony (Guard tower) Lookout Tower
Special features
- 6 Routes nearby
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