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Bicycle Rides
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Lake Balaton (Balaton) circuit
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KeszthelyPhoto: Gerhard Greifeneder, Alpenverein Schwanenstadt
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Easy cycling route around the largest lake in Central Europe, which can be ridden both clockwise and counterclockwise. Mostly flat cycling route with only slight inclines here and there.
Open
moderate
Distance 197 km
13:30 h
135 m
135 m
139 m
103 m
While you are often on bike paths of varying quality along the northern shore, you mostly cycle on low-traffic residential roads along the southern shore. Sometimes you are a bit away from the lake, but mostly you can enjoy beautiful views of the impressively large steppe lake. It does not matter where you start the circular route. With good physical condition, the circuit is quite doable in two days.
Author’s recommendation
Hungary is still an affordable holiday destination. For amounts for which you can at best find a private room in Austria, you can sleep in Hungary in a **** star hotel. On the other hand, the very cheap accommodations do not have an acceptable standard.
Difficulty
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Nameless elevation, 139 m
Lowest point
Directly on the lake shore, 103 m
Best time of year
Jan
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Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The builders were very sparing with the width of the bike paths. Sometimes they are so narrow that you have to be very careful with oncoming traffic. There is still considerable need for improvement in the quality of bike paths and roads around Lake Balaton. The bike paths are often very uneven due to root formations, and the roads "shine" with extremely rough asphalt. A comfortable "gliding" is rarely possible and only where renovation has just taken place. The circuit is well marked, even if here and there a signpost is missing.Tips and suggestions
At Tihany on the northern shore, a peninsula stretches far into the lake. There is a heavily frequented ferry to the other shore at Szantód, which you can use if your physical condition is not sufficient for a full circuit of the lake. From some large holiday resorts, excursion boats also leave onto the lake. There are numerous places to eat on both sides of the lake.Roadbook
First day: We start at the end of the lake and initially cycle on good bike paths to Keszthely. Then it continues sometimes on bike paths, sometimes along roads, always in the area of the parallel railway line to Balatongyörög, Badacsonytomaj, Révfülöp, Balatonszepezd, Balatonakali, Aszófö (junction to Tihany/ferry), Balatonfüred, Balatonalmádi, and Balatonfüzfö at the northeastern end of the lake (approx. 103 km). Second day: After a short ride, we reach Balatonkenese and then Balatonvilágos, Siófok, Szantód, Fonyód (nice harbor), Balatonfenyes, Balatonberény, and finally back to the starting point (approx. 98 km).
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Keszthely (OKTPH_24)Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
You can reach Keszthely from Vienna main station with one transfer in Kelenföl in about 5 to 6 hours. To Balatonfüred you get there with ÖBB with two transfers in Kelenföld and Szekesfehervar in about 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.Directions
The starting point near Keszthely is best reached by car via Graz, Heiligenkreuz, and Zalaegerszeg. If you want to start in the Balatonfüzfö area, a journey via Vienna, Nickelsdorf, Györ, and Veszprem is recommended.Parking
There are enough free parking spaces.Coordinates
DD
46.698293, 17.270500
DMS
46°41'53.9"N 17°16'13.8"E
UTM
33T 673582 5174141
w3w
///significance.reworks.broadcasts
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
There are many maps available, e.g.: Szarvas hiking map Balaton/Plattensee 1:50,000/1:80,000
Recommended maps for this region:
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Equipment
Normal cycling gear including tools, spare tube, etc. The climate at Lake Balaton is often milder than in the Alpine region. Rain protection should still be part of the luggage.Localization
Parts of this content were machine translated from German.
Status
Open
Difficulty
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Distance
197 km
Duration
13:30 h
Ascent
135 m
Descent
135 m
Highest point
139 m
Lowest point
103 m
Weather at the starting point
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Maps and trails
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