Green heart of Szombathely: the Boat Lake and Park Forest

 Itinerary:

• We start from the shopping center heading south on the S trail, which leads across a wooden bridge between the two lakes, then takes us out to Árpád Street.
• At the end of the street, passing the parking lot, we reach the base of the Memorial Hill. From here, the K◼ trail starts to the Park Forest buffet; here we cut across the small square and switch to the K trail coming from the left.
• The K trail takes us through the Park Forest, then continues into the residential area (Orgona Street).
• Upon reaching the Olad cemetery, a sharp right leads us up Márton Áron Street; after reaching the top, we stay on the K trail which turns left (Dr. Pálos Károly Street).
• Arriving at the two antenna towers (joined by the Z trail coming from the right), we turn left; a small wooded path leads to the Oladi lookout.
• We descend the stairs and at the Lookout Watering Place, we turn right, staying on the Z trail.
• 200 meters later, a three-way junction appears. Here we say goodbye to the Z trail and turn left onto Kenderesi Street.
• The Árkádia shopping center appears on the left, reachable via a small pedestrian bridge.

About the route in detail:

Between the Lakes

We start on a small street next to the Sport Park, then cross the narrow wooden bridge over the Arany stream. Looking right, you can see the side of the open-air museum followed by the Fishing Lake. At the end of this, we cut through a small parking lot to descend to the shore of the Boat Lake, which offers a wide view. On the gravel path we meet walkers and runners while passing the Lake Restaurant building. There is a drinking fountain and a water playground by the lake. About 200 meters to the right, you find the main entrance of the Vas Museum Village (Open-Air Museum) – worth visiting now or at the end of the route. Its original buildings, carefully relocated from villages, opened to the public in 1973. The residential houses, farm buildings, workshops, and even a chapel represent all regions of Vas County. The area hosts native animal species and cultivates garden and medicinal herbs as well as grapes. Often it organizes handicraft programs and several times a year serves as a venue for flea markets.

Memorial and Hill

Leaving the Boat Lake, we reach the base of the Memorial Hill via Árpád Street. On the way, facing us are the impressive buildings of the Claudius Hotel and City Sports Pool, followed by the Millennium Park. Here starts the K◼ trail, but it's better to choose the winding footpath up to the hilltop. At the top, you see the Liberation Memorial built in 1969, a memento of the era. It was inaugurated on April 4, 1970, the “liberation” day. The designer was János Heckenast, an Ybl Award-winning architect who created many other public buildings in the city (hospitals, factories, district centers, etc.). Until the regime change in 1989, the memorial was the central motif of the city's coat of arms – then it was removed from there and nearly from its place too. A final decision about its fate remains pending; demolition would be very costly. Unfortunately, the usage of the area before it has not been resolved yet, although looking back from the square we get a magnificent view of the city spreading before us. In winter, snowy weather transforms the hill into a snow cannon-equipped sledding slope.

After this, a continuous but very gentle ascent follows. Our footpath accompanies Jégpince Road – first close to it, later moving away through a wooded strip. This is a very pleasant, romantic section with little bridges, winding paths, and plenty of birds. It would really be a shame to wear out the asphalt road – besides, it’s also dangerous. Soon we arrive at the other endpoint of the K◼ trail, the Park Forest buffet. Here we can refresh and rest; the site includes barbecue spots, a playground renovated in 2019, a fitness garden, parking, and a checkpoint for the National Blue Trail.

Park Forest

Passing under the large wooden gate, we enter the Szombathely Park Forest, where a rain shelter, benches, barbecues, and winding paths for runners and walkers welcome visitors. Fortunately, the K trail is easy to follow (often running together with the red running trail). We make a long right arc spreading over mild ascents and descents. We find benches and rain shelters in several places. The Cinege Nature Trail also leads here, with informational boards at its five stations introducing the lives of our popular songbirds. The Park Forest’s wildlife is rich too; despite the city’s proximity, deer may often be encountered. During the mushroom season, weather permitting, one can select from several species for their basket. Near Olad, we catch sight of the old ski slope’s line before emerging from the forest (today only power lines point to the former route).

Orgona Street, then Márton Áron and Dr. Pálos Károly Streets lead to the top of Olad hill. After the antennas, the lookout’s silhouette appears among the trees. Unfortunately, the building handed over in 1936 on Olad’s “Rose Hill” has been overgrown by trees and neglected in recent years; nonetheless, descending from there offers some panorama toward Sé and the Kőszeg Mountains. At the bottom of the hill, after the Lookout Watering Place unit, we soon reach the back corner of the Open-Air Museum. From here, a small bridge leads just minutes back to the starting point, where a restaurant, confectionery, ice cream parlor, café, or even bowling and pizza awaits. After refreshing, the nearby Open-Air Museum and Adventure City offer further relaxation and experiences.