Round tour in the Nivegy Valley, olive green F

1. Route description, explanation of signs
The trail numbers on this tour are: 233, 230, the tour is marked as olive green F. Low-traffic public roads: 14.63 km, agricultural roads: 6.98 km, forestry roads: 9.9 km. The dashed line indicates an unpaved road (forestry road).

2. Difficulty factors in the tour
The route is moderately difficult. The recommended bike for the tour is a mountain bike or trekking bike.

3. Ambience
Anyone who walked as a pedestrian a route already driven a hundred times in a car knows the feeling: the formerly blurred contours become sharp, the landscape gets full of details, the air, the sunshine or even the rain paint the scenery colourful. On this barely 33 kilometre long tour it seems as if you finally got a pair of glasses with which you can suddenly see every detail that was hidden in the past: a lavender bush that blooms at the foot of a stone wall, a church on a tiny hill with its tower reaching for the sky, a stream that flows through the wheels of an old water mill, or an old, beautifully renovated house. On this tour, also known as "Tour of the Valleys", you can discover exactly what is to be loved in this area and what lends its unmistakable character. So don't worry if a stretch is too steep and you have to stop. During the relaxation time you have to wear the newly discovered pair of glasses and indulge in observation.

4. Detailed tour description
The starting point of the tour is Szentantalfa, the central village of the beautiful Nivegy Valley. From the Dobosi Winery ride through Szentantalfa on route 230. About 3 km after the end of the village, continue on an unpaved agricultural road in a beautiful scenery, with a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Balaton and the village of Dörgicse. Halfway in the tour you shall cross the Dörgicse-Mencshely public road and reach the Kossuth lookout tower on a decent paved road. It is worth spending some time here, hiking up to the lookout tower and then visiting the Volcano Nature Trail created around an old basalt quarry. From the tower you ride on a paved road via Mencshely to Vöröstó and arrive in Nagyvázsony on a low-traffic paved road. It is worth planning a longer stay here to visit the Kinizsi Castle and enjoy a meal at the Kinizsi Restaurant. Bicycles can be safely stored on the private terrace.
Continue towards Nemesleányfalu, following the signs for trail 230 on a low-traffic paved road. Two kilometres before Vigántpetend, turn left onto a well-maintained gravel forestry road leading to the Bakonyerdő Zrt. forest school in a beautiful beech forest. The path climbs gently but steadily to the highest point of the Pirkanci Forest (354 m). This is where trail 235, leading to Mencshely, joins. However, continue straight ahead on trail 230, which descends to an excellent paved agricultural road between Monoszló and Balatoncsicsó. Here turn right towards Monoszló. Monoszló is one of the most beautiful villages of the Balaton Highlands with its charming old country houses that have preserved the authentic atmosphere. Pass through the village, then continue cycling on the low-traffic paved road below Hegyestű.
Hegyestű Hill is one of the most famous natural attractions of the Balaton Highlands. If you take a short break from the round trip, you can climb up to the top of the mountain on a steep asphalt path, from there you can admire a magnificent view. It is definitely worth adding this small detour to the route.
Back on the route, cycle 1 km along the Zánka-Köveskál road and then turn left towards Tagyoni Hill. Trail 233 takes you on an agricultural road above the Tagyon vineyards, past old cellars and historical wine press houses. Before reaching the edge of the Baróca forest, you have to climb a short but steep stretch up the side of Tagyoni Hill. The effort is definitely worth it, as you are rewarded with an unforgettable view of Lake Balaton.
The trail returns to the starting point in Szentantalfa on a rough forest path.

Municipalities on the route: Nagyvázsony, Vöröstó, Mencshely, Szentantalfa, Monoszló.