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Lookout Tower
· Koszegi Tájvédelmi Körzet
· 879 m
-
The lookout tower on Írott-kőPhoto: Gulyás Attila, Magyar Természetjáró Szövetség
The name „írottkő” (marked stone) may be associated with the peak, the bastion-like lookout or the eponymous rock formation, but any of them are well-worth the effort of hiking up there.
Írott-kő, the peak of peaks
Írott-kő is not only the highest peak of Kőszegi-hegység (Kőszeg Mountains) but that of Transdanubia and Burgenland, too (883m). Scanning the landscape from northeast to southeast we may admire the scenic view of Austria on the left and that of Hungary on the right. The two countries used to be separated by the Iron Curtain and the landscape still bears some conspicuous traces of it.
Documents from the 14th century name the mount as Pine Peak, referring to the dominant pine groves of the area, however, 300 years later it was renamed as Szálkő.
The eponymous rock
Around 40 meters from the lookout, on the Austrian side of the border there is a rock formation with inscribed letters of “C”, “B” and “E” indicating the border of lands owned by the town of Kőszeg, the Batthyány and Esterházy noble families. The German name of the peak “Geschriebenstein” also refers to this origin.
The lookout tower
The first lookout at the peak was made of wood by the Hikers Association of Kőszeg and remained until 1909. A little later, in 1913 a new tower was built of stone and has been open to visitors since 1990.
The peak and the lookout lie exactly on the Hungarian-Austrian border. The entry to the tower is on the Austrian side but it is accessible along hiking trails from both countries. Formerly, until the Iron Curtain was demolished, the fence ran on the Hungarian side thus making the tower approachable from Austria only.
The observation deck on the top provides a panoramic view, which, in clear weather includes Fertő Lake in the north/northeast, also shared by the two countries, the blue surface of Balaton Lake in the southeast and the Alpine scenery of Schneeberg and Rax in the northwest.
Opening times
Price:
Free of charge.
Public transport
- Take a bus from Szombathely or Kőszeg to Velem, coach terminus or to Bozsok, “Rákóczi utca” stop (Blue (K) Trail), or to Bozsok, “autóbusz váróterem” stop (bus waiting room) (Green (Z) Trail).
Directions
- Head west from Velem along Kossuth Lajos Street following Red (P) markers (4.9 km).
- Follow the Blue (K) Trail from “Rákóczi utca” bus stop in Bozsok to Írottkő (7.7 km).
- If you are not doing the Blue Trail you may choose a shortcut along the Blue Trail first to the north and change to Blue+ (K+) and Red Alpannonia®. At the conjunction continue on alpannonia®. Cross the creek and at the conjunction follow the Red (P) marker to the left until you reach the peak (6.3 km).
- If you leave your car at Hörmann-forrás (Hörmann Spring) head to the peak along the path south of the road following the Blue (K), Green (Z) and Red alpannonia® markers.
- From Passhöhe parking lot in Austria head east along Red alpannonia® trail (2 km).
Parking
- Exit Velem along Gesztenyés Street to the west and drive uphill to Hörmann-forrás (Hörmann Spring). Leave the car in the parking lot (free of charge) at the barrier.
- Alternatively, you can reach Hörmann-forrás from Kőszeg through Szabóhegy (Tailor’s Hill). Turn left at the ski lift at Szabóhegy towards Velem and head uphill to the right at the end of the road until you reach the parking lot.
- Approaching from Austria cross the border at Kőszeg-Rattersdorf and continue to Lockenhaus (Léka in Hungarian). In the center of the village follow the sign directing towards Rechnitz (Rohonc). Cross the bridge and follow road 56 to Passhöhe parking lot at the peak.
Coordinates
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