Road Bike Base Loop Below Balatonlelle and Fonyód

Charming Somogy landscapes, brand new asphalt, and negligible car traffic await you in places you might never have expected. All this was made possible by the recent paving of gravel roads, fundamentally expanding the possibilities for road cycling in the Somogy region. The 72-kilometer loop below Balatonlelle and Fonyód can not only be varied with short detours, but it also connects the western part of Somogy with the settlements below Kőröshegy.Recommended Route: Balatonlelle-Balatonboglár-Fonyód-Csisztafürdő-Csisztapuszta-Buzsák-Öreglak-Somogyvár-Vityapuszta-Gamás-Somogybabod-Somogytúr-Látrány-Balatonlelle Navigation: Based on the downloadable GPX file, or via the signposted BalatonBike365 routes: Balaton Cycling Circuit, 14-redA, 156-redA, 154-redA

You can buy food in the villages along the route. In Buzsák, there is a cyclist rest area equipped with a service column.Recommended Bike: Road or gravel bike.

Difficulties / Key Factors: The first 10+ kilometers follow the Balaton Cycling Circuit, which does not allow for a steady, sporty training pace, especially during the summer holiday season. A short climb in Fonyód might present a challenge, but from there until Somogyvár, you can expect only gentle, rolling sections. Between Somogyvár and Gamás,there are a few short, steeper climbs, but no major elevation gain will make the ride overly difficult anywhere. The Somogybabod-Balatonlelle section is often prone to headwind, which is worth factoring in towards the end.

Atmosphere: This basic loop allows for completely different styles of cycling. Aside from the lakeside bike path section,you can get a high-quality training session in, but it is also perfect for planning a traditional bike tour with interesting stops. What makes this loop unique is that, except for the last 10 kilometers, you feel as if you are riding almost entirely on dedicated cycling routes, as traffic is extremely low even on shared-use asphalt. You will enjoy plenty of sections with panoramic views of Lake Balaton along the shore and in Fonyód, while later on, the peaceful Somogy countryside takes over.

Detailed Tour Description: We start from Balatonlelle. On the lakeside bike path, adjust your pace according to the season and traffic, and be mindful of holidaymakers in summer. In return, you can enjoy the Balaton atmosphere—tourists can easily combine the ride with swimming, eating lángos, and so on. In Fonyód, after the railway crossing, turn up onto the climb where you will pass two viewpoints; it is well worth stopping at the Szaplonczay Promenade for some photos.Rounding the Fonyód hill, you hit a brilliant stretch of road heading south. The 14-redA route was paved a few years ago,and although a car might pass you occasionally, it feels like a cycling highway all the way to Buzsák. The small village has a lot to offer: besides the bike rest area and service column, there is a Folk Art Regional House as an attraction, as well as a small grocery store to stock up. After Buzsák, continue on an excellent quality bike path, and soon you can take a right turn to the Mary of White (Fehér Mária) Chapel if you enjoy this type of sightseeing. From Öreglak to Somogyvár,you can probably count the cars you encounter on one hand, then you join the main street, where a decent bike path offers a legal alternative for cycling. After leaving Somogyvár, the rolling, hillier training section follows (156-redA), but nothing that beginners couldn’t handle with a properly spinning gear ratio. Granted, past the halfway mark, this part might feel tiring. In return, however, fresh asphalt awaits, so those who want to push the pace will truly enjoy the section around Vityapuszta and Gamás. The same goes for the service road next to Route 67, featuring similarly excellent road quality and negligible traffic (154-redA). Here we are already heading north back towards Balatonlelle, passing through Somogytúru and Látrány. If you still have some fuel left in the tank after nearly 70 kilometers, turn left after Látrány (before the M7 highway) and take a loop up to Kishegy, which is stunning to look at, with the descent facing straight towards Badacsony.

Settlements passed: Balatonlelle, Balatonboglár, Fonyód, Csisztafürdő, Csisztapuszta, Buzsák,Öreglak, Somogyvár, Vityapuszta, Gamás, Somogybabod, Somogytúr, Látrány, Balatonlelle