Vindornyaszolos – Hiking and Nature at Kovácsi Hill

• The basalt road on the western edge of Kovácsi Hill is about one kilometer long; its columns are 5 to 15 meters high.
• A hiking loop starts at the eastern edge of the village, is 8 km long, and has 150 m of ascent. It is listed as taking 3–4 hours.
• The nature trail is six kilometers long and opened in 1999.
• The Vidra nature trail and an ecological playground were created in 2008 next to the sports field in the village center.

The basalt road, the Vadlány-lik cave, and other striking formations give the area its geological character. Vadlány-lik formed at the same time as the basalt road: tilting and sliding movements created fissures that ran parallel and perpendicular to the road’s trench. Along the basalt road, which is about one kilometer long, columns 5 to 15 meters high alternate with caves and other landforms.

The Rakottyás Lakes are also located on Kovácsi Hill. They are habitats for rare animals and plants. The mountain’s other notable features include basalt sinkholes, with small ponds in their depressions. In the wider region, the Vindornya marsh is part of Balaton Uplands National Park. It is a species-rich habitat for numerous protected bird and insect species, as well as protected plants. The villages of Vindornyalak, Vindornyafok, and Vindornyaszőlős take their name from the marsh.

For a longer hike, consider the 8 km loop starting at the eastern edge of Vindornyaszolos. It begins at the parking lot, follows a nature trail to the basalt road, and continues to the Rakottyás Lakes. The return route passes through Kő-árok and leads back to the parking lot. The listed duration is 3–4 hours, and the elevation gain is 150 m. These details can help you plan the loop as a separate activity.

The route marked with an S also leads from Vindornyaszolos to the basalt road on Kovácsi Hill. The nature trail follows the same marking. Another option is the six-kilometer nature trail, which can be reached via the quarry and leads to important natural features of the area. Along the way, it introduces the local plant and animal life. The Buruczki Ferenc nature trail runs along the side of the mountain facing the village.

A Buddhist stupa stands on the eastern side of Kovácsi Hill and can be reached from Vindornyaszolos on an easy hike. It is considered Europe’s largest Buddhist stupa and was built around a Buddha relic and an 11 m-high tree of life. Visiting it offers a different focus from the mountain’s geological formations and nature trails.

The Vidra nature trail and ecological playground next to the sports field in the village center were created for preschool- and school-age children. If you would like to include a cycling leg in your trip instead of hiking, you can follow the 30.3 km day stage from Zalaszentgrót via Kisgörbő, Vindornyaszolos, and Vindornyafok to Karmacs and Hévíz.

If you would like to compare other destinations, you can also find Zalaszentlászló, Zalacsány, Zalaszentgrót, Kehidakustány, Zalabér, Sénye, Kallósd, and Nagygörbő.

How long is the hiking loop from Vindornyaszolos?

The loop is 8 km long, includes 150 m of ascent, and is listed as taking 3–4 hours. It leads from the parking lot via a nature trail to the basalt road and the Rakottyás Lakes, then returns through Kő-árok.

What can you learn on the nature trail?

The six-kilometer nature trail, which opened in 1999, leads to important natural features of the area. It introduces the local plant and animal life.

Which activities were designed for children?

The Vidra nature trail and the ecological playground next to the sports field in the village center were designed for preschool- and school-age children.

For the overarching trip overview: Zalaszentgrót area.