Gyadai nature trail

Itinerary

• We follow the ZT sign throughout the nature trail (which occasionally runs together with other signs).

Detailed description of the route

From the "zero station" to the stream bed

At the starting point, a signboard listing the sights of the visitor center shows the starting point of the trail. After a station providing an overview of the route, we cross a small bridge over the stream, where Dani the Ant waves above our heads, indicating that he will guide us along the route.

(Although not part of the trail, it is worth (indeed, almost mandatory with children) to warm up at the beginning by exploring the experience trail starting from the common starting point and turning towards the waterfront. This short, child-friendly circular route introduces the world of the forest and the work of foresters through playful tasks, puzzles, and activities, while circling around the tiny duckweed-covered pond, then leading back to the starting point on the other side of the stream via a boardwalk and a small bridge.)

The first few meters of the Gyadai nature trail climb upward on wooden steps, ascending into the forest following the K, P and ZT marks. At a Y-junction, a sign points out the recommended direction — so we continue on the left branch marked P and ZT.

During the route, we first examine the forest around us. We get to know typical tree species and get a glimpse into the world of the birds living among them. During the walk, we can discover various types of nest boxes built for them, learn which bird prefers which nest, and even uncover tricks like how the cuckoo sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests.

Our sign leads us to the Lósi stream, which we cross over a bridge. We reach the next station on a wide gravel road "backwards." It’s not worth missing if you want to learn how solid rock turns into living soil. The frozen-rooted, crumbling, soft rock excellently illustrates the process on site. And since we’re talking about rocks, we can also learn about the formation of the Dachstein limestone composing Naszály and the process of limestone burning.

From the wide gravel road, the ZT sign soon leads us back into the forest after crossing a bridge over a stream. We continue getting to know conifers, then follow the life and functions of a tree.

From meadow flowers to swampy boardwalks

The landscape soon changes dramatically: stepping out from the trees, we find ourselves at the edge of the Gyadai meadow. If we come here from spring to autumn, we can closely observe the colorful flower carnival in the untouched parts (see our gallery). The nature trail introduces the world of mountain hay meadows and the stratification of grassland, explains the process of mowing and grazing, and a little further along, takes stock of the meadow’s birds.

We cross the grassy area for a long time, then at the sign inviting us left, entering the forest, an adventurous section begins: the path winds along a crooked and dead-end boardwalk. Walking on tree logs, we can explore a swampy willow grove "born" along the Lósi stream — thanks to the design, it is passable with dry feet. This section is a good example that if people stop grazing and mowing, the forest surprisingly quickly reclaims the area. We get an idea of the lively "tussle" among plants competing for survival in the reclaimed area.

At the end of the winding, twisting boardwalk with a dead-end detour, we first encounter "balancing poles" stuck in the ground, which in dry weather are just fun, but in rainy, thawing, and swampy periods are very useful if we don’t want to sink ankle-deep in mud.

From tracking game to giants

Quiet movement and some luck are needed if we want to encounter forest game, but with the help of signs, we can get to know all typical species. We also learn what game management is and why it's necessary. (With children, it’s worth going on a tracking trip to the nearby clearing at the branch of the P◼ sign leading to Nőtincs.)

From here, we reach the Giants’ rest: a spacious meadow surrounded by trees with covered rain shelters, tables, benches, and fire pits. Connected to this, the nature trail presents edible fruits and medicinal herbs found in the forest.

Adventure park at its best

Not long after the rest area, the K+ sign joins us. At the junction, a sign tells the story of the landscape scar biting into Naszály, which is the result of industrial limestone mining. As we descend again into the stream valley, an exciting section follows: stepping poles and balancing beams help us cross swampy and muddy parts. We also cross an intermittent stream on a suspension swing bridge, followed by another obstacle course under the trees.

We climb from the stream bank to the side of Naszály and, crossing the long Gyadai meadow again, get to know the settlement of Gyada, which lent its name to the area, and even get insight into the life of medieval inhabitants. The description reveals what the boundary stones along the road mean, and why each bears the inscription VP.

At the edge of the meadow and forest, the nature trail’s sign shows how the forest expands towards the meadow at approximately 30 meters per 20 years without mowing and grazing, and we get acquainted with the protective function of the forest edge as well.

A steep climb begins towards the suspension bridge. At the upper edge of the hollow in front of us, the next sign introduces erosion — the shaping work of debris and soil grains moving on sloping ground. We also get an idea of how vegetation "fights" against this.

Above the steep-sided valley stretches a 25-meter-long suspension bridge, a rarity in Hungary with only a few instances. This is already part of the National Blue Trail route, as indicated by the connecting K sign. Crossing the bridge suspended 6 meters above the valley with minimal sway, safe even for small children, we head back toward the starting point.

The next sign introduces forest workers’ activities, specifically natural forest management and clearings cut in the forest. We cross another hollow deepened further, now without suspension bridge, and then learn more about the deadwood lying on the forest floor: these are integral, often indispensable parts of the life of single-celled organisms, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals.

The next sign talks about forest division and glades, and the final station presents charcoal burning and the operation of charcoal piles. The "demonstration box" standing beside the sign is the original miniature version. From here, a 1 km comfortable downhill walk leads us back to the starting point, where we reach the finish by passing under Dani the Ant and then over the Lósi stream.