recommended route
Circumnavigation of Lake Balaton
Bike Riding
· Tapolcai-medence
Open
-
KeszthelyPhoto: Gerhard Greifeneder, Alpenverein Schwanenstadt
Easy cycle tour around the largest lake in Central Europe, which can be cycled both clockwise and anti-clockwise. Mostly flat cycle tour with only slight inclines here and there.
Open
moderate
Distance 197 km
13:30 h
135 m
135 m
139 m
103 m
While you often cycle along the northern shore on cycle paths of varying quality, you cycle along the southern shore mainly on residential roads with little traffic. Sometimes you are also a little away from the lake, but mostly you can enjoy beautiful views of the impressively large steppe lake. It doesn't matter where you start the circular tour. If you are in good physical condition, the round trip can be completed in two days.
Author’s recommendation
Hungary is still a reasonably priced holiday destination. In Hungary, you can sleep in a **** star hotel for the same price as a private room in Austria. On the other hand, the very cheap accommodation is not of an acceptable standard.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Nameless elevation, 139 m
Lowest point
Directly on the lakeshore, 103 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The builders have saved a lot on the width of the cycle paths. Sometimes they are so narrow that you have to watch out for oncoming traffic. The quality of the cycle paths and roads around Lake Balaton still has a lot of catching up to do. The cycle paths are often very uneven due to roots and the roads "shine" with extremely rough tarmac. A leisurely "glide along" is rarely possible and only in places that have just been renovated. The circular route is well marked, even if a signpost is missing here and there.Tips and suggestions
At Tihany on the northern shore, a peninsula juts far out into the lake. There is a busy ferry to the other shore to Szantód, which can be used if you are not physically fit enough for a full circumnavigation of the lake. Excursion boats also sail out onto the lake from some of the larger holiday resorts. There are numerous places to stop for refreshments on both sides of the lake.Start
South-western end of Lake Balaton between Keszthely and Balatonberény
Coordinates:
DD
46.698293, 17.270500
DMS
46°41'53.9"N 17°16'13.8"E
UTM
33T 673582 5174141
w3w
///significance.reworks.broadcasts
Destination
South-western end of Lake Balaton between Keszthely and Balatonberény
Turn-by-turn directions
Day one: We start at the end of the lake and cycle along good cycle paths to Keszthely. We continue sometimes on cycle paths, sometimes along roads and always in the area of the parallel railway line to Balatongyörög, Badacsonytomaj, Révfülöp, Balatonszepezd, Balatonakali, Aszófö (turn-off to Tihany/to the ferry), Balatonfüred, Balatonalmádi and Balatonfüzfö at the north-eastern end of the lake (approx. 103 km). Day 2: After a short ride we reach Balatonkenese and then Balatonvilágos, Siófok, Szantód, Fonyód (beautiful harbour), Balatonfenyes, Balatonberény and finally back to the starting point (approx. 98 km).
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
You can reach Keszthely from Vienna Central Station with 1 change in Kelenföl in about 5 to 6 hours. You can get to Balatonfüred by ÖBB with two changes in Kelenföld and Szekesfehervar in about 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.Directions
The starting point near Keszthely is best reached by car via Graz, Heiligenkreuz and Zalaegerszeg. If you want to start in the Balaonfüzfö area, we recommend travelling via Vienna, Nickelsdorf, Györ and Veszprem.Parking
There is ample free parking available.Coordinates
DD
46.698293, 17.270500
DMS
46°41'53.9"N 17°16'13.8"E
UTM
33T 673582 5174141
w3w
///significance.reworks.broadcasts
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
There are many maps, e.g: Szarvas hiking map Balaton/Lake Balaton 1:50,000/1:80,000
Recommended maps for this region:
Show more
Equipment
Normal cycling equipment including tools, spare inner tube etc. The climate at Lake Balaton is often milder than in the Alps. Nevertheless, rain protection should be included in your luggage.Localization
Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language
Status
Open
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
197 km
Duration
13:30 h
Ascent
135 m
Descent
135 m
Highest point
139 m
Lowest point
103 m
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 1 Waypoints
- 1 Waypoints
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Route
-
Gradient
-
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km
Distance
: h
Duration
m
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
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