Riding through enchanting villages, olive green G

1. Route description, explanation of signs
The trail numbers on this tour are: 239, 237, 230, 233, the tour is marked as olive green G. Low-traffic public roads 1.4 km, forestry roads 5.1 km, agricultural roads 4.6 km, public roads: 4.4 km.

2. Difficulty factors in the tour
The tour is moderately difficult. Between Vászoly and Mencshely, the trail runs mostly on an old, stony and rugged path, then on an old agricultural road. From Mencshely the trail goes downhill, but you have to watch your speed. From Felsődörgicse you return to the starting point on a well-maintained low-traffic road. The road is slightly ascending all the way, so you have to make a serious effort. The last 1 km of the route takes you downhill to Vászoly. Here, again, the rule is: don't ride too fast and then arrive safely in the village.

3. Ambience
This round tour leads through beautiful landscapes and features viewpoints with Balaton panorama, medieval castle and church ruins as well as a lookout tower and resting place in the forest. And in the heart of the route a fairy tale scenery unfolds. Vászoly alone is worth the time to stay longer and visit one of the wine-, cheese- or natural cosmetics manufactories. If you would like to take a break from cycling, the small pond fed by the Szent Jakab spring with its small floating stage and the gourmet home cooking of the restaurants around will certainly bring the well-deserved relaxation. You can ride the route in one day and enjoy the exercise, the scenery, and even a little wine, or in several days if you stay overnight in one of the villages. And it's worth collecting ideas for your next visit already, because Vászoly, Mencshely and Kisdörgicse invite you to return - whether with family, friends or colleagues: surely on two wheels!

4. Detailed tour description
Vászoly is one of the most beautiful villages in the Balaton Highlands, and this is where the tour starts. Several cosy private accommodations and guesthouses are available for cyclists. The restaurant Kuti-Kerti Kisvendéglő is open all year round, out of season only on weekends. Another restaurant is Zománc Bisztrócska, which operates only in the season. In the centre of Vászoly, in the middle of the forest, there is a beautiful little lake fed by the Szent Jakab spring. From there, trail 239 leads uphill, past the Vászolyi Cheese Manufactory and PortusHome. PortusHome is a special and unique facility that provides high quality offices if you have to work, but also a great spot for relaxing. Also, you can rent e-bikes there and sign up for guided mountain bike tours. As you leave the village, you can admire the impressive herd of grey cattle, then the track leads slightly uphill on an old stony forest path. This path used to connect Vászoly with Vöröstó, now it is unfortunately in a rather bad condition, but it is still rideable by bike. After two and a half kilometres, turn left at the forest crossroads towards Mencshely on a forest path. The terrain is flat throughout but unfortunately from time to time there are potholes and ruts on the path. After a downpour muddy stretches are to be expected. Before Mencshely, however, you reach a paved agricultural road and from there you will be riding on well-maintained roads. It is definitely worth stopping at the Kossuth lookout tower on Halom Hill to enjoy a breathtaking 360° panorama. Leaving the tower, ride towards Felsődörgicse, the first half of the stretch on a paved road then on an agricultural dirt road. From the saddle you can enjoy a splendid view of Lake Balaton all the way. After arriving in Kisdörgicse, follow the signs 233 and return to Vászoly on a well-maintained, paved road. Before leaving Kisdörgicse, it is definitely worth visiting the ruins of the church of Kisdörgicse and the Levendárium behind it. The path back to Vászoly is a gentle climb all the way. This is the most demanding part of the tour, but at the end you can roll into the village effortlessly.

Municipalities on the route: Vászoly, Kisdörgicse, Felsődörgicse, Mencshely