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Lake Lake · Komárom-Esztergomi-síkság · 129 m

Old Lake of Tata (Öreg-tó)

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Hungarian Hiking Association Verified partner 
  • The castle of Tata at the Old Lake
    The castle of Tata at the Old Lake
    Photo: Gulyás Attila, Hungarian Hiking Association
The lake with an area of nearly 250 hectares is one of the sites on the list of wetlands of international importance by the Ramsar Convention. The only urban lake in Europe where thousands of waterfowls and other migratory birds find shelter in spring and autumn.

The Old Lake of Tata is one of the oldest artificial lakes in Hungary. It was created by damming Által Creek in ancient Roman times. The lake played an important role in the Middle Ages too and was further extended. Together with the surrounding wetlands it provided protection to the castle of Tata but fish from the Danube were stored there also.

The current layout was designed by reputable water engineer Sámuel Mikoviny in 1747 with an area of around 345 hectares at the time. As part of the Esterházy estate it was used as a fish pond as well as mills and a water slaughterhouse were built.

The lake with an area of nearly 250 hectares today is one of the sites on the list of wetlands of international importance by the Ramsar Convention (an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971). It is the only urban lake in Europe where thousands of waterfowls and other migratory birds find shelter in spring and autumn.

The impressive view of the lake is further enhanced by the castle of Tata, another popular sight of the town. A path of 7 kms around the lake grants a great opportunity for a pleasant walk or biking.

Opening times

Open all year round.

Price:

Free of charge.

Public transport

  • Get off the bus/coach at "Tata, autóbusz-állomás" (coach station).
  • Get off the coach at "Tata, Kristály Szálló" (Hotel Kristály).

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Old Lake of Tata (Öreg-tó)

Directions

  • Turn right at the coach station and cross the street to enter the castle. Cross the castle yard to reach the shore (350 m).
  • Opposite of "Kristály Szálló" stop take Tópart Street to reach the lake (200 m).

Parking

  • Park your car along the streets around the lake or in the carpark at the crossroads of Május 1. Street and Keszthelyi Street or in Váralja Street.

Coordinates

DD
47.638582, 18.330134
DMS
47°38'18.9"N 18°19'48.5"E
UTM
34T 299459 5279585
w3w 
///polo.reds.dramatic
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

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Old Lake of Tata (Öreg-tó)

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Features
Maps and trails
recommended route Difficulty easy Open
Distance 7.1 km
Duration 1:40 h
Ascent 16 m
Descent 16 m

Those who have not yet visited Tata, the city of waters, and love nature, aquatic life, and pleasant walks by the water, should circle the Tata Old ...

4.9
from Német-Bucsi Attila,   Hungarian Hiking Association
Water trails · Komárom-Esztergomi-síkság
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recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 6.9 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 6 m
Descent 6 m

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from Hungarian Hiking Association,   Hungarian Hiking Association
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Distance 17.9 km
Duration 5:25 h
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