Jósvafő: Village History and Cave Experiences

• The present-day church stands in the old town and is surrounded by a defensive wall.
• The Tájház received the “Az év múzeuma 2007” award.
• The shorter loop of the Tohonya-Kuriszlán tanösvény is 4.5 kilometers long and returns to Jósvafő via 12 stations.
• The longer loop covers 9 kilometers and takes about six hours at a leisurely pace.
• The Jósvafői rövidtúra in the Baradla-barlang leads to the Óriások terme.

The defensive wall around the present-day church is a distinctive feature of the old town. The Tájház adds another perspective on the village: it received the “Az év múzeuma 2007” award, or Museum of the Year 2007. The two places offer different points of interest—here, the walled church; there, recognition of the local museum. This makes it easy to combine a visit to the village center with an interest in architectural history and local culture.

The Aggteleki Nemzeti Park Oktatóközpont is housed in a small manor at Táncsics Mihály utca 1. For kindergarten and school groups, the center offers talks, classroom, outdoor and craft activities, as well as forest school programs. If you are planning a group program, confirm the current arrangements directly with the center.

The two loops of the Tohonya-Kuriszlán tanösvény differ considerably in length. The shorter hike is 4.5 kilometers long, passes 12 stations and ends back in Jósvafő. The longer loop starts in the village, covers 9 kilometers and takes about six hours at a leisurely pace. This gives the longer option a clear time and distance guide; the shorter one covers substantially less ground.

The nature trail connects 25 geological, geomorphological and natural features around Jósvafő. Geomorphological points relate to the shapes of the terrain. The stations also give your choice of route a thematic dimension: as well as distance, you can consider whether you are interested in geological and landscape features. The two distances help distinguish the hiking options without confusing the loops with one another.

On the Jósvafői rövidtúra in the Baradla-barlang, the second section of the tour passes by or between the formations Krokodilszáj, Hentesüzlet and Tóparti kastély, then continues to the Óriások terme. The circuit starts and ends at the Jósvafő cave entrance. The names of the formations provide specific landmarks along the route described.

Another route leads through the Kossuth-barlang to the Reménytelen-szifon. Along the way, you cross rocks, a wire-rope bridge over a lake and ladders. As the current availability of this tour should be confirmed, check visiting options with the park administration in advance. This will help you distinguish this cave tour from the Baradla route described above.

Within the wider destination of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, the Baradla-Domica cave system forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Caves of the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst. This is a regional connection and should not be confused with the individual tour routes. Also in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, the Hucul herd can be seen year-round on the grazing lands of Gergés-lápa, about 1.5 kilometers north of Jósvafő. As animal care arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Irota, Viszló, Szakácsi, Komjáti, Szuhogy, Ziliz, Damak, Bódvarákó.

How long is the shorter loop of the Tohonya-Kuriszlán tanösvény?

It is 4.5 kilometers long, passes 12 stations and returns to Jósvafő.

How long does the longer loop take?

The 9-kilometer loop is listed as taking about six hours at a leisurely pace.

What does the Jósvafői rövidtúra in the Baradla-barlang pass?

In its second section, it passes the formations Krokodilszáj, Hentesüzlet and Tóparti kastély or goes between them, continuing to the Óriások terme.

For the wider travel overview: Edelényi.