Békés

Körösvölgyi Animal Park is set in a 26-hectare grove. Its walking trail is about two kilometres long and passes bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures. The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail starts at the park’s jetty; this nature trail can only be reached by canoe or boat.

Other nature destinations include the internationally recognised Kardoskúti Fehértó wetland, the Mágor-pusztai Trail, which is just over 500 metres long, and the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre. Cultural attractions include the collection of the Munkácsy Mihály Museum and Gyula Castle.

At Körösvölgyi Animal Park, the walking trail of about two kilometres offers varied glimpses of wildlife: bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures line the route. The trail through the 26-hectare grove provides a clearly defined setting for a visit where you can discover several habitats and animal areas.

The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail is laid out differently. It follows a one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake. Eight floating buoy stations share information about the oxbow lake and its wildlife and plant life. The trail is primarily intended for canoeists and rowers travelling without an expert guide; it can only be reached by canoe or boat. Keep this access requirement in mind when choosing your nature excursions.

Shorter trails have their own appeal, too: the Mágor-pusztai Trail is just over 500 metres long and showcases the natural and cultural-historical values of the protected area. The Réhely Trail starts and ends at the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre. This lets you choose between a short themed trail, a route that begins and ends at the visitor centre, and a nature trail accessible only by boat.

At the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre, visitors can see great bustards up close—the only place in Hungary where this is possible. Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomy demonstrations can be requested there. The offerings combine wildlife observation with a range of expert-led and themed activities.

At Kardoskúti Fehértó, two observation towers make it easier to watch the birds. The wetland has been protected under the Ramsar Convention since 1979 and is internationally recognised. The Kardoskúti Bird Migration Museum complements this natural setting with an interactive exhibition covering both the phenomenon of bird migration and the region’s distinctive plant and animal life.

Bihari Táj Napja is a special event for nature and culture enthusiasts. It takes place every year on the third weekend of May. Visitors can see wild orchids in the Ugrai meadow, learn about the birdlife of the Biharugra fishponds on an expert-guided tour, and take part in other expert-led and cultural programmes. Bihari Madárvárta is three kilometres from the centre of Biharugra and can be reached by a paved road.

The Munkácsy Mihály Museum collection includes natural history, archaeological, ethnographic, historical and art-historical objects. Its scope therefore ranges from nature and early finds to regional history and art. If you’re looking for different cultural perspectives, the collection offers several distinct areas rather than a single exhibition focus.

Gyula Castle was built in the 15th century. Today, it is the only intact lowland brick castle in Central and Eastern Europe. Its architectural form and historical significance make it a distinctive cultural destination in Békés. CsabaPark offers a different regional focus: as a gastronomic event centre, it preserves, maintains and presents the traditions of Csabai sausage-making. CsabaPark is also the venue for the Csabai Sausage Festival.

The themed Wenckheim Tourist and Cycle Route also brings together different interests: along the cycling route, you can discover cultural monuments as well as the region’s natural and distinctive landscape features. You can consider this alongside visits to museums, the castle or nature sites, without implying that these destinations form a single route.

For an overview of the subregions: Sarkad micro-region, Mezőhegyes, Békéscsaba, Gyula, Szarvas, Békés, Orosháza, Szeghalom, Mezőkovácsháza and Füzesgyarmat.

How long is the trail at Körösvölgyi Animal Park?

The walking trail is about two kilometres long and runs through a 26-hectare grove.

How do you reach the Jégmadár Water Nature Trail?

The trail can only be reached by canoe or boat. It follows a one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake and has eight floating buoy stations.

When does Bihari Táj Napja take place?

Bihari Táj Napja takes place every year on the third weekend of May. The programme includes orchids in the Ugrai meadow, expert-guided birdwatching at the Biharugra fishponds, and other expert-led and cultural programmes.

For the main travel overview: Hungary.