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Cave
· Gömör-Tornai-karszt
· 187 m
-
A Rákóczi-barlang (Esztramos)Photo: Gulyás Attila, Hungarian Hiking Association
You can find a mysterious cave in Aggtelek National Park between Bódvaszilas and Bódvarákó along the Blue Trail.
Discovery by chance
Mining has etched a massive scar on the slope of Esztramos Hill. Thanks to mineral exploration works iron ore was found in the hill and it was extracted on 8 levels underground until the 1950s when the mine got exhausted..
The cave was discovered by chance by miners working underground. The cave does not have an entrance on the surface so visitors need to walk 200 meters in the exploration adit of the mine to enter.
Kitchen underground
An amazing variety of dripstone formations is hidden deep under the mount. Besides classic stalagmites and stalactites you can find formations resembling peas, bacon, cauliflower and broccoli or even chocolate fountain. Colors vary from white through pink, all the way to red depending on the quantity of iron oxide dissolved by drained surface water. The scenery is stunning. It is by no accident that the cave is regarded to be the most beautiful cave of Hungary.
Explored by divers
The cave has two ponds and more than half of the dwellings are filled with water. Underwater parts are explored by divers. This is quite a challenging job as they have to work in water of 10 degrees floating nearly motionless because water is still so even the slightest move stirs sediment obstructing vision.
Currently a cavern of 300 meters is open to visitors and explorations detect more and more underwater passages. The explored length of the cavern is 650 meters with aa vertical extension of 80 meters.
No life
A unique feature of the cavern is that no forms of life have been detected there. This is obvious as the cavern has no direct access to the surface. That is why it is an exceptional opportunity to have an insight into this highly protected underground world. To preserve its values strict ruled had to be implemented. A maximum of ten visitors are allowed to enter at a time and only with a guide for a tour of 45 minutes.
Although the route is well-maintained make sure to wearing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Moving vertically involves climbing steep metal ladders. Although the cavern is well-lit too, make sure to take a flashlight for a better vision.
Opening times
The cave is temporarily closed.Price:
Check the National Park’s website for prices
Public transport
- Get off at bus stop “Bódvarákó, autóbusz-váróterem”.
- Get off at Bódvaszilas train station.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- From Bódvarákó bus stop head north and follow the Blue (K) Trail to the cave entrance (1.5 km).
- From Bódvaszilas train station follow the Blue ◼ (K ◼ ) trail along Kossuth Lajos Street. Change to the Blue (K) Trail to the left along Ady Endre Street leading out of the village and hike 3.1 km to the cave entrance.
Parking
- At the north end of Bódvarákó, before the exit sign, turn eastward to a minor road leading to the former mine (1 km). At the junction pay attention to road signs to find the right direction.
- Free parking in front of the cave entrance.
Coordinates
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