Eastern Panoramic Gravel Circuit of Keszthely Mountains

Introduction and Description of the Route

1. Route Information, Legend
2. Difficulty Factors in the Tour
3. Mood Description
4. Detailed Tour Description

1. Route Information, Legend
This approximately 50 km long tour passes through the Keszthely Mountains. While tours in the Keszthely Mountains require some serious preparation, it can be undertaken with average fitness. The tour is of medium difficulty due to the terrain conditions (elevation changes) and its length, making it suitable for families. The route includes a significant ascent before Büdöskút (see: point 2.)

2). The tour route can be completed in both directions. The dashed line on the map indicates a dirt road that may be difficult to navigate after rain.

Recommended route: Keszthely, Gyenesdiás, Vállus, Lesencefalu, Lesencetomaj, Nemesvita, Balatonederics, Balatoni Bike Path Balatongyörök, Vonyarcvashegy, touching Gyenesdiás, returning to Keszthely.
The starting point of the tour is the Keszthely Cyclist Center. We head north on the Balaton Bike Path, and the green D sign begins at the Gyenesdiás junction. From the Triple Junction rest area, follow the green A, then from the Vállus-Várvölgy intersection, follow the green E sign of route 131 from Lesencetomaj to the intersection with the Balatonederics - Balatoni Bike Path.

Road numbers covered by the route: 10 (Balaton Bike Path), 132 (Pilikán – Triple Junction), 133 (Triple Junction – Vállus-Várvölgy intersection), 23 (Vállus-Várvölgy intersection – Lesencetomaj), 131 (Lesencetomaj – Balatonederics).

The route partially passes through inhabited areas; it involves partly asphalted roads (low-traffic roads and designated bike paths), as well as gravel and dirt roads.

There are several cyclist rest areas (Libás, Pilikán, Felső-Pilikán, Nagy Messzelátó-hegy, Triple Junction, Lázi-hegy, Nemesvita, Csodabogyós, Becehegy, Szépkilátó, Böngyéres, Szent Mihály-domb, Eldoradó, Vonyarc Marina, Diás, Bringatanya), and other suitable places for rest and stops (Szépkilátó panoramic point, Balatongyörök pier).

There are opportunities for meals, groceries, and other purchases in inhabited areas along the route. However, access to water and restrooms is more limited during the tour. There is no water supply and restroom facilities along the forest section (from the end of Faludi road to Vállus).

2. Difficulty Factors in the Tour
The route passes through the hilly landscape of the Keszthely Mountains, with continuous smaller and larger elevations. The tour is easier from Gyenesdiás because the constant ascent from this direction is interrupted by smaller slopes and straight sections. The dashed lines on the map indicate dirt roads that are more difficult to navigate after rain (a approximately 1.5 km section following the Pilikán rest area, and the muddy sections between Lesencetomaj and Nemesvita, and between Nemesvita and Balatonederics). In the forest section with asphalt-gravel surface (Büdöskúti road), there are occasional potholes. The approximately 1.5 km dirt road starting from Pilikán leads to the forested area and the gravel-asphalt road surface, which characterizes the forest part of the tour. From here, the slow but continuous ascent begins. Since the ascent is interrupted by smaller slopes and straight sections, and rest areas have been set up after the more challenging sections, reaching the mountaintop is not impossible. A more challenging section is the approximately 2.5 km stretch before Nagy Messzlátó-hegy.

3. Mood Description
This route offers a plethora of beauty, captivating cyclists with continuous stunning sections. Many beautiful forested stretches, hills waiting to be conquered, fantastic views, especially on the Lesence and vineyard sections, picturesque small villages, friendly rest areas and clearings, lookout points conveying a wonderful natural environment, and the constant, unforgettable sight and proximity of Lake Balaton and the witness hills of the Tapolca Basin await adventurous visitors. Along the Balaton section of the tour, several excellent beaches can be found, offering opportunities for rest, refreshment, providing a pleasant alternative for relaxation, and the many dining options also offer eating opportunities.

4. Detailed Tour Description
The description includes the presentation of the route starting from Gyenesdiás.
From the BB365 Keszthely PORT, head towards Gyenesdiás on the Balaton Bike Path. The green D trail sign starts at the Oppel Imre promenade intersection in Gyenesdiás on the Balaton Bike Path, leading to the forested section of the tour. Turn towards Balaton Street from the Balaton Bike Path. Even here, we travel on a designated bike path throughout. Continuing straight from the roundabout into the Faludi Street, we reach the Pilikán rest area by turning left at the end of the Faludi Street. We travel on a well-maintained asphalt road on this section, passing through inhabited areas. Following Pilikán, there is an approximately 1.5 km dirt road, which is difficult to navigate after rain. We enter the forest here, and the gravel-asphalt road surface begins, fundamentally characterizing the forest part of the tour. From here, the slow but continuous ascent begins. Since the ascent is interrupted by smaller slopes and straight sections, and rest areas have been set up after the more challenging sections, reaching the mountaintop is not impossible. A more challenging section is the approximately 2.5 km stretch before Nagy Messzlátó-hegy. Turning left at the next rest area, Triple Junction, we reach Vállus on a good-quality gravel road. We travel on an asphalt road in the inhabited part of the village, which continues for 2 km until the Vállus-Várvölgy junction. Turning right at the intersection, we join route 23, on which we cycle for approximately 5.5 km on asphalt. Passing between the vineyards of Lesencefalu and Lesencetomaj, a beautiful panorama unfolds, including the spectacular view of the Keszthely Mountains range, the witness hills of the Tapolca Basin, and the stunning sight of Lake Balaton.

After arriving in the center of Lesencetomaj, turn right onto Petőfi Street, which leads us out of the settlement. After the inhabited area, there is a sharp right turn after 300 meters, followed by another 350 meters where we turn left at a small intersection. After 850 meters, at the end of the gravel road, we reach the inhabited area of Nemesvita, where a rest area awaits passersby. Leaving the rest area, continue to the right and, after 550 meters, following the curve of Kossuth Street, reach the center of the settlement. This section is again asphalted but includes inclines and declines due to the location of the settlement. Upon reaching the village square, turn left onto Kossuth Street, and after 250 meters, turn onto Széchenyi Street. At the end of Széchenyi Street (approximately 250 meters), the vineyard area between Nemesvita and Balatonederics begins. The road through this area is gravel, and in rainy weather or immediately after rain, it can be difficult to navigate. In this 650-meter-long stretch, surrounded by vineyards on both sides, the view of the witness hills of the Tapolca Basin creates a unique panorama. At the end of the spectacular section, slightly turning left, we arrive in the inhabited area of Balatonederics, where the entire area is covered with asphalt. Turning left at the end of Radosi Street (400 meters) and then right at the end of Öreghegyi Street (100 meters), we reach the main street of the settlement, Kossuth Street, where we cycle straight for 1.5 km on a gentle slope. Near the end of Kossuth Street, turn right at Balaton Street. Follow the left curve of the street, then its straight section, and then turn left again to reach the section leading to the Balaton Bike Path. Following the smaller asphalt road curving to the right, running parallel to route 71, it leads to the designated crossing point on the main road (250 meters), where, with great caution, we join the Balaton Bike Path. Continuing to the right, after covering 15 km on essentially flat terrain, we return to Keszthely, the starting point of the tour.

Towns covered: Keszthely, Gyenesdiás, Vállus, Lesencefalu, Lesencetomaj, Nemesvita, Balatonederics, Balatongyörök, Vonyarcvashegy.