In Hungary there is a surprisingly wide variety of hiking areas, from the forested heights of the North Hungarian Mountains to the vast Puszta in the east. Many hiking regions are located close to larger cities such as Budapest, Eger, Miskolc, Pécs or Debrecen and can be easily reached by car.
If you are travelling with your own car, motorhome or a rental car, you will need an electronic vignette (E-Matrica) on most motorways and on expressways marked with an “M” in Hungary. Vehicles up to 3.5 t maximum permissible gross vehicle weight use the vignette, heavier vehicles are subject to the distance-based HU-GO toll. Via our platform you can easily buy the digital vignette for Hungary online: valid immediately or from a chosen start date, no sticker vignette on the windscreen and with convenient 24/7 email support.
Hungary is perfect for anyone who wants to combine hiking, nature experiences and culture: beech forests, karst mountains, caves, castle ruins, vineyards and the famous Puszta are often just a short drive apart.
Between the Danube Bend and the Slovakian border stretch the North Hungarian Mountains. Here you will find Hungary’s highest peaks, extensive beech forests, karst plateaus and deep valleys. Although the mountains are “only” just over 1,000 metres high, they offer a distinctly alpine hiking feel. An ideal destination for a long weekend or an extended round trip.
The Mátra Mountains are home to Hungary’s highest mountain, Kékes (1,014 m). From places such as Mátrafüred or Mátraháza, waymarked trails lead through mixed forests, along scenic ridges and past ancient volcanic slopes. Family-friendly circular routes alternate with longer ridge hikes. In clear weather you can enjoy wide panoramic views as far as the Bükk Mountains.
Bükk National Park is one of the country’s most important hiking regions and protects a large beech and karst mountain range. Its hallmarks are high plateaus, rock walls, dolines and more than 1,000 known caves. Popular starting points include Lillafüred near Miskolc and the area around Eger.
Around Lillafüred you will find romantic lakes, waterfalls, short walking trails and more demanding mountain tours. Caves such as the Szent István or Anna Cave can be explored on guided tours. In the western part of the range, the Szalajka Valley near Szilvásvárad attracts visitors with waterfalls and forest paths. This makes the Bükk Mountains ideal for families as well.
Many routes can be combined into half-day or full-day hikes. Those who prefer a sportier challenge can plan multi-day trekking tours along the ridges of the Bükk Mountains. You will find detailed information in our guide to Bükk National Park.
To the northeast of the Bükk lies Aggtelek National Park, famous for its extensive cave system. Together with the Slovak Karst it forms the Baradla–Domica cave system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hiking trails lead across karst plateaus, through doline landscapes and to cave entrances, from where guided tours start. The Baradla Cave is the best-known dripstone cave in the country – a trip here can be perfectly combined with easy to moderately difficult hikes.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the geology and formation of the karst will find what they are looking for at the visitor centre and on themed trails. You can find further impressions in our article on Aggtelek National Park.
Further east you come to the Zemplén Mountains and the Tokaj wine region. Castle ruins such as Füzér or Boldogkő, volcanic hills, chestnut forests and vineyards make this region particularly diverse. Those who want to combine culture and nature can plan hikes over the Zemplén hills and then enjoy a glass of Tokaji in a traditional wine cellar.
The Hungarian Great Plain is mostly flat, but it is excellent for hiking and walking. Vast grasslands, salt steppes and wetlands dominate the landscape. The most famous area is Hortobágy National Park, Hungary’s first and largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Hortobágy National Park you can experience the typical Puszta landscape with wide open plains, draw wells, flocks of sheep and herds of cattle as well as rich birdlife. The park is famous for its autumn crane migration, traditional pastoral culture and exceptionally clear night sky.
Marked trails, cycling routes and guided excursions start from the village of Hortobágy. You can discover the Puszta by horse-drawn carriage, by bike or on foot, visit the famous Kilenclyukú híd (“Nine-arched Bridge”) or take a small train to the fishponds, where numerous water birds can be observed.
You will find more details, tips and impressions in our guide to Hortobágy National Park.
The Kiskunság National Park and the Körös-Maros National Park in southeastern Hungary also offer steppe landscapes, sand dunes, salt lakes and wetlands. Here you will find numerous nature trails and short circular hikes that can easily be combined with visits to traditional villages and farms.
West of the Danube stretch the Transdanubian Mountains. Gentle hills, deciduous and mixed forests, castle ruins and vineyards characterise the region. The most famous area is the Balaton Uplands National Park, which covers the northern shore of Lake Balaton and parts of the Bakony Mountains.
If you want to combine hiking with a holiday by the lake, Lake Balaton is the perfect choice. Around Badacsony, Szent György-hegy and the Tihany Peninsula, marked trails lead to viewpoints above the lake. Basalt cones, vineyards and small chapels make these tours particularly photogenic.
After your hike you can swim on the shores of Lake Balaton, rent a boat or end the day in one of the many wine taverns.
The Bakony Mountains north of Lake Balaton offer dense forests, gorges and karst springs. Hiking trails lead through quiet valleys and along scenic ridges. The region is well suited for extended weekends, as outdoor activities can be combined with excursions to Veszprém or Lake Balaton.
Just about an hour from Budapest you will find the Danube Bend and the Duna-Ipoly National Park with the Pilis and Visegrád Mountains. River panoramas, castle ruins and dense forests alternate here, making it perfect for day trips and weekend tours from the capital.
Popular destinations include the panoramic peak Prédikálószék overlooking the Danube bend, the plateau near Dobogókő or the trails around Visegrád and Esztergom. Many starting points can be reached from Budapest by train or bus.
Around the city of Pécs rise the Mecsek Mountains. Gentle peaks, beech forests, karst caves and reservoirs offer a wide range of hiking opportunities. Around Orfű and Abaliget, circular routes lead around the lakes, while viewing towers and chapels await you on the heights.
The Mediterranean-style old town of Pécs with its mosque, cathedral and cosy cafés perfectly complements an active hiking day. You can find more information about the city of Pécs in our guide.
In addition to the major well-known regions, Hungary has many smaller areas that are perfect for day hikes and short breaks.
In western Hungary, near the Austrian border, lies Őrség National Park. It protects a traditional cultural landscape of scattered farmsteads, meadows, forests and river floodplains. Themed trails lead through villages with typical wooden houses and to viewpoints over the gently rolling hills.
Fertő–Hanság National Park shares Lake Neusiedl with Austria and offers steppe and reed landscapes, salt pans and bird sanctuaries. Further south, Duna-Dráva National Park attracts visitors with alluvial forests along the Danube and Drava – ideal for relaxed hikes, bike tours and canoe trips.
Many of the hiking areas described – from the Bükk Mountains and Aggtelek Karst to the Balaton Uplands – are easily accessible by car. This keeps you flexible and allows you to combine different national parks, mountain villages and starting points for your tours.
Please note that in Hungary an electronic vignette (E-Matrica) is mandatory on most motorways and on expressways marked with an “M” for vehicles up to 3.5 t maximum permissible gross vehicle weight. Vehicles over 3.5 t are subject to the distance-based HU-GO toll system and do not require a vignette.
A distinction is made between the vehicle categories D1M (motorcycles), D1 (cars up to 3.5 t and max. 7 seats), D2 (larger cars/commercial vehicles up to 3.5 t) and U (trailers for D2). You can find out which class applies to your vehicle in our guide to the vehicle categories in Hungary.
Via our platform you can conveniently purchase the digital vignette for Hungary online. Registration is done via the licence plate, a sticker vignette is no longer necessary. The vignette can be booked to be valid immediately or from a chosen start date.
We wish you an unforgettable trip to Hungary and lots of enjoyment while exploring the diverse hiking areas from the North Hungarian Mountains and the Balaton region to the Puszta in the east.
When planning your trip, remember that an electronic vignette (E-Matrica) is required on most motorways and expressways. You can also use our free route planner to optimally plan your drive to the most beautiful hiking areas in Hungary and see the suitable toll products.
If you have any questions about your digital vignette or the toll regulations in Hungary, the DMC team will be happy to help. Just contact us by email.
