Bükk Mountain is close to my heart for many reasons. On the one hand, I grew up surrounded by the mountains around Miskolc, so when it came to weekend excursions, we usually headed for the mountains. I remember how impressed I was as a child to get a bird’s-eye view of the seemingly endless slopes and forests. However, I had a fear of heights – what a pity – but I did not give up on mountain hiking, thank God.
This year due to the pandemic situation I traveled mostly in Hungary. As a venue of the national blue trail, I couldn’t wait to visit places I had not seen for a long time in Bükk Mountain. Although I have not walked the entire 1,000 km hiking trail through the hill, I have brought you the most beautiful hiking spots from where I have been to, which I warmly recommend you for hiking, family excursions and recreation. Wherever you go, I would like to draw attention to the importance of ethical hiking about which I brought you ten pieces of advice in my Instagram post here.
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Tar-kő
With a longer forest tour, you can reach the highest natural lookout point of Bükk, the 949 m high Tar-kő. Although this height is only enough for the eighth place in the rankings of the Bükk Mountain, but the Triassic limestone cliff is considered legendary. The steep cliff edge on the edge of the Bükk Plateau offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Sitting on the top of the high cliff, one can really feel that he is above all else. If only you have one hour, you can forget all the troubles and sorrows in this place. In addition to the view, Tar-kő is a special habitat in Bükk with its rock grasses and scrubs. It’s worth checking out the cliffs for beautiful flowers.
How to get here: park with your car at Bánya-hegyi junction (after Répáshuta) on road 2505 that links Miskolc and Eger. From there, follow the asphalt road uphill for a while. On the green triangle sign, you reach Három-kő first, then Tar-kő on the national blue trail. Total distance: 10 km, moderately difficult terrain due to the slopes.
Dédes Castle
Dédes Castle, also known as the Citadel of the Bükk Mountain, actually covers two medieval fortifications. The smaller ruin towers on one of the highest vertical cliffs of Hungary. As the castle is considered an enhanced nature reserve, it can only be visited with the permission of the Bükk National Park.
However, its big brother, Dédes Castle, is free to visit and it is worth adding to your Hungarian bucket list because of its special location. The castle overlooks the Verebec roof with an amazing view, while from the castle you can see the other ruin opposite in the embrace of the North-Bükk mountain ranges.
How to get here: from Mályinka settlement, follow the trail of the national blue, then turn on the yellow line towards Dédes Castle, as indicated by a separate sign too. Total distance: 6 km, easy terrain, but the road to the castle rises.
Bél-kő
One of the most special mountain attractions of Bükk is the Bél-kő, which owes its strange appearance to the limestone mining that took place here. The 815-meter-high, cut-in, and lacy peak is paved along the way, which is also a nature trail. The road is lined with 7 signposts and stations to give you an insight into the mining activity and the unique wildlife of the rocks. On the way, there are benches in several places where you can rest, which is a good idea from time to time as the trail is constantly rising.
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The full beauty of the Bél-kő is revealed from a lookout point, from which it is clear that nearly 100 m of stone is missing from the mountain. The panorama is also worth admiring from the wide plateau, where the eastern tenancy of the Mátra dominates in one direction and the stony Bükk mountains on the other.
How to get here: park your car next to the Cistercian Abbey in Bélapátfalva, which is also worth visiting while you are there. The Bél-kő nature trail is indicated by signs on the spot, it can not be lost in sight. Total distance: 13 km, medium difficulty.
Magos-kő
The Magos-kő, one of the most spectacular cliffs of the northern rocks of Bükk, rises at a height of 635 m. From the cliff, you can see the panel houses of Miskolc as well as the Molnár-szikla. Moreover, Magos-kő is home to purple maidens and yellow cinquefoils in springtime. If you continue your journey to the mountain, you will be a short walk to Három-kúti Cave, where you can even sleep in modest conditions for a few nights.
How to get here: leave your car along road 2513 heading to Bánkút at Három-kúti signpost. From here you reach the Magos-kő by a short walk (500 m), which is indicated by a sign towards the forest. Full distance: 1 km, easy terrain.
Látó-kövek
On the map, you find the now completely depopulated settlement called Bükkszentlélek, or Szentlélek, from where you reach the Látó-kövek on the edge of the Bükk Plateau. The 10-minute walk to the stones is an eye-catching sight in itself, especially the tree of lovers intertwined with their trunks. But on the “i” the dot is placed on the steep cliff edge.
Climbing up requires some caution and attention, but while you are here, let’s go up to the top on a natural staircase. From the 735 m high stones, the waves of North Hungary and the Highlands are revealed to enterprising rock climbers, while in clear weather the Tatras appear on the horizon.
How to get here: road 2513 takes you to Szentlélek, where you can leave your car in the parking lot next to the road or the Pauline monastery. From there, follow the blue line or blue cross sign, which crosses the asphalt road to the forest to the Látó-kövek. Full distance: 2 km, easy terrain.
Molnár-szikla
The road connecting Lillafüred and Miskolc has many special sights, including the Szeleta Cave, which is easily accessible to children, as well as the Molnár-szikla. The latter is associated with several legends, the memory of which is preserved by the cross on the steep cliff. It is said that this is where the daughter of the rich miller and a poor lad, whose love was not supported by the family, were thrown into the depths. The view from the cliffs apart from the tragic past is breathtaking.
How to get here: leave your car in Csanyikvölgy, Miskolc and follow the red line sign to the top of the cliff. Full distance: 2 km to Molnar-szikla and 4 km to the Szeleta Cave. Difficulty: apart from the initial ascent, it is easy terrain.
Három-kő
One of the most beautiful Bükk lookout points is the 904 m high Három-kő, among the other famous stones (Cserepes-kő, Pes-kő, Őr-kő, Bél-kő). Be careful if you come here as the outer slope of the Három-kő reaches 4-600 m and its slope exceeds 30°.
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In clear weather, the rock edge offers the most complete view of the southern parts of Bükk Mountain, but you can also see the peaks of Kékes. From the Három-kő, if your strength and time permits, it is worth walking to the Tar-kő, whose karst rock façade is also amazing.
How to get here: park with your car at Bánya-hegyi junction (after Répáshuta) on road 2505 that links Miskolc and Eger. From there, follow the asphalt road uphill for a while. On the green triangle sign, you reach Három-kő first, then Tar-kő on the national blue trail. Total distance: 8 km, moderately difficult terrain due to the slopes.
Szarvaskő
Szarvaskő, a small village wedged between the mountains of Bükk, is a popular hiking place to visit. Its true beauty is revealed when climbing the Vodafone lookout tower on the Major Roof or the Castle and Vár and Akasztó Mountains on the opposite side. Built in 1295, the castle offers an amazing view of the map table-like landscape as well as the nearby rock plateau.
If you like, you can continue your exploration in the forests of Bükk towards the Gilitka (St.-Anna) Chapel on the national blue trail. But sitting on the cliffs and sunbathing also guarantees unparalleled experiences for the whole family.
How to get here: from the village of Szarvaskő, follow the national blue trail sign. Total distance: 2 km, medium difficulty due to the initial uphill.
Őr-kő
The 880 m clifftop is one of the special observation stones of the western end of Bükk Mountain. Unlike the Tar-kő and Három-kő, there is not a wide rock platform here, but a few 10-meter cliffs filled with sharp stones. This phenomenon is the result of karstification when rainwater flows downhill. From the top of the Őr-kő, there is a magical panorama for hikers. You can see Eger and Felsőtárkány in addition to the neighbouring Bél-kő and Pes-kő.
How to get here: leaving your car at the lake of Bélapátfalva, follow the red horizontal sign to the Őr-kő Meadow. From there, you take the blue triangle sign to reach the Őr-kő lookout spot. The path uphill is quite steep and there are rocks sticking out of it in several places. So let’s start the summit attack with the proper boots. Full distance: 10 km, difficult terrain due to the cliffs and steep uphill at the end.
Cserepes-kő
The road to the Cserepes-kő Cave is quite magical. The rock grass running along the side of the mountain is located on the national blue trail between Bánkút and Bélapátfalva. I recommend visiting this place as part of longer hiking (+15 km) rather than as an independent destination. However, this place should definitely be here in the panoramic summary of Bükk Mountain as seen on the photos.
