Attractions and Places To See in Bükki National Park - Top 20

Extensive archaeological work since 2000 has confirmed that people lived in the Szalajka Valley as early as 40,000 years ago. The cave dwellers lived in the Istállós cave and even had contact with other tribes from the valley, some of which lived 500 kilometers away. People also lived in the idyllic valley during the Bronze Age, as evidenced by Celtic relics and an early earthwork. Nevertheless, there were no major settlements within the valley until the Middle Ages, as trade routes were difficult to establish in the heavily forested area. Continuous settlement in the Szalajka Valley began in the 14th century, when people settled in the village of Wárad, now known as Szilvásvárad. The high-quality timber served as a source of urban income even in the Middle Ages, leading to increasing numbers of settlements. Source: https://www.urlaub-ungarn.at/sightseeing/natuerliche-gehenswuerdigkeiten-ungarn/szalajka-tal.html

Extensive archaeological work since 2000 has confirmed that people lived in the Szalajka Valley as early as 40,000 years ago. The cave dwellers lived in the Istállós cave and even had contact with other tribes from the valley, some of which lived 500 kilometers away. People also lived in the idyllic valley during the Bronze Age, as evidenced by Celtic relics and an early earthwork. Nevertheless, there were no major settlements within the valley until the Middle Ages, as trade routes were difficult to establish in the heavily forested area. Permanent settlement in the Szalajka Valley began in the 14th century, when people settled in the village of Wárad, now known as Szilvásvárad. The high-quality timber served as a source of urban income even in the Middle Ages, attracting increasing numbers of people to settle there. Later, potash was also extracted from the valley, which ultimately gave the area its current name. Potash means "sal alcali" in Latin, and these words have been incorporated into the Hungarian language. Until the 20th century, the valley was only known regionally. With the construction of the Szilvásvárad narrow-gauge railway, the first tourists arrived to travel to the valley by train. Since the 21st century, however, the Szalajka Valley has become a purely tourist destination, with forestry operations remaining minimal. Source: https://www.urlaub-ungarn.at/sightseeing/natuerliche-sehenswuerdigkeiten-ungarn/szalajka-tal.html

This place can be explored starting from Jávorkút. You can go on forest paths and on a designated bike route on asphalt. I am now describing the asphalt route. From Jávorkút, you actually have to follow the asphalt road leading there until there is a fork. Here you can head back to the Lazy Valley towards Miskolc - Lillafüred, and turn right to Nagy mező. You have to go to Nagy mező, and when you reach it, you have to continue on the asphalt. There will be another fork where you have to keep right, and in a short time you will reach the Jewish Meadow where the Italian Gate is located. It is noteworthy that the asphalt we came on is actually the track of the old light railway, so there used to be a train here. It also transported stone and wood to the iconic landmark, the engine house, from where the wagons were lowered onto a funicular and then continued through Szilvásvárad towards Slovakia. The Italian Gate is famous because 150 Italian prisoners carved through the rock face here by hand so that the train could pass.

There are two easiest ways to get there: One is by taking the steep path a little further back from the tunnel in front of the Palota Hotel. This is the shorter route, which is marked and built up, but it is very steep. The other option is to arrive by car, follow the paved road towards Bán-kút, leave the car at the Csókás-forrás and follow the red sign to reach the recently built Zsófia lookout point without losing any level, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Hámori and its surroundings.

Amazing view to lake Hamori (Hámori-tó) to the Palace hotel (Palotaszálló) and to Lillafüred. The Zsófia tower has been renovated and handed over in August of 2022.

great cave

The main purpose of the lake is to store water. But it also plays an important role in tourism as it contributes to the attractiveness of Lillafüred due to its natural beauty. On the south bank there is a hiking trail with small rest areas. You can go boating on about half of the lake, the pedal boat rental is near the dam wall, below the Palota Hotel. Definitely worth a visit.

Very nice clear clean water. Here you can admire the many fish.