In Gyenesdiás you can take a short walk from the Nagymező to the Festetics lookout tower, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama. It’s also worth climbing up to the Berzsenyi lookout. (Update: the Berzsenyi lookout tower is temporarily closed!)
There are many other lookouts in the area. In Balatongyörök you can admire the panorama from 2 lookout towers. From the main road, turn north at the traffic circle to get to the Bélapi rest area. It is the southern gateway to the hilly landscape, with a fireplace, a small playground and a shelter. From here the yellow trail leads to the Bél Mátyás lookout tower and the red trail to the Batsányi lookout tower. The Bél Mátyás lookout tower stands on the 221-meter high Garga Hill. We can see the southern group of volcanic witness hills, the western basin of Lake Balaton with the Somogy shore and the undulating, extensive forests of the Keszthely Hills. The Batsányi lookout tower attracts hikers to the 448-meter Boncsos peak. The two viewpoints, which are relatively close to each other, can also be reached from Szépkilátó in Balatongyörök, from the main road 71. The name Szépkilátó (Beautiful view) is not accidental, because it offers one of the most beautiful views of Lake Balaton, Badacsony and Szigliget.
The 8.5 km long ‘Father dormouse’ educational trail between Balatongyörök and Balatonederics is an easy hike, ideal also for families with children. It consists of 38 stations and longer and shorter circuits. The natural values and secrets of the forest habitats are presented by Father dormouse. The trail can also be reached from the Szépkilátó viewpoint or from the Africa Museum.
The Keszthely Hills also attracts visitors to other viewpoints:
Near the Büdöskút rest area, the Pad-kő lookout tower can be reached by a slightly more difficult hike. The lookout tower on Láz Hill can be conquered from Vállus.
The newest lookout tower in the area is located in Nemesvita. Here it is also worth taking a walk in the village.
In our slightly wider surroundings you can admire Lake Balaton, the varied landscape of Zala and the Balaton Uplands from numerous other viewpoints. The Kisfaludy lookout tower in Badacsony, the lookout towers in Ábrahámhegy and Révfülöp, in the Folly Arboretum, on Fekete Hill, Uzsa, Zalakaros or Fonyód are all highly recommended.
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