Waterfall adventure hike around Ómassa

Itinerary

• Start the route from the Lillafüred narrow-gauge railway Garadna terminus along an unmarked path on the right bank of the Garadna (i.e., left side in direction of travel), then after 300 meters, join the S+ trail.
• Follow the S+ trail all the way to the Sebes-víz waterfall.
• From the Sebes-víz waterfall continue uphill on the S trail to the junction of Sebesvíz road and Jávorkúti road.
• At the junction take a detour to the Sebesvíz Pension on the K+ trail turning left, then immediately right to the lake next to the pension.
• Return on the K+ trail, which we follow until the junction after the Bolhási meadow.
• From the asphalt road turn right to the K trail and descend to Ómassa.
• In the center of Ómassa, at the bus turnaround, cross a small bridge over the Garadna stream, then climb a nearly 100-meter incline on an unmarked path up to an old forestry road.
• On the forestry road marked with the K bicycle trail, turn left to return to the confluence of the Sebes-víz valley.
• From the valley confluence, follow the S+ trail straight ahead.
• Before the railway station, do not cross the stream with the trail but return to the Garadna terminus on the familiar unmarked path.

Detailed route description

We begin our route from the Garadna terminus of the Lillafüredi State Forest Railway, following the tracks along the right bank of the Garadna stream (i.e., on the left side when going forward) on an unmarked path until we reach a forestry road and join the S+ trail. Although the station offers a playground with swings, slides, a sandbox, and a miniature train inviting children, we should try to convince them that even more exciting adventures await soon. At the end of the route, they'll have time to try these if they still have enough energy.

Climbing in the valley full of Sebes-víz waterfalls

We follow alongside the Garadna in the valley, then soon the path opens left into the steep valley of the Sebes-víz. It is no exaggeration;—in many places, the path leads uphill crossing the stream, stepping on stones and branches, balancing carefully to avoid getting wet beyond the sweat. Likely, children will enjoy running up this natural obstacle course, but alongside the needed concentration to master the terrain, it’s also worth taking in the beautiful environment. Step carefully on slippery stones and branches—it’s easier in low water periods but becomes quite challenging in spring or after heavy rains, though the Sebes-víz waterfalls are even more beautiful then. Eventually, the path leaves the stream and continues beside it until reaching its most well-known part: the travertine steps where a beautiful, veil-like waterfall forms in high water volumes, while in lower water, exciting details can be discovered under the falling drops.

The Sebes-víz waterfall eerily resembles the Veil Waterfall, yet unlike the developed surroundings around the latter, the Sebes-víz waterfall lies in an untouched, lush forest and is less known, allowing admiration in quieter conditions. The travertine formation built by the stream developed similarly to the Veil Waterfall's base: when rainwater is absorbed in the limestone cracks forming the mountain, it takes in carbonic acid. When it emerges through springs, the carbonic acid escapes, and limestone precipitates onto stones, trees, and plant debris in the stream’s path. Along with the interesting travertine shapes, a moss species grows on the steps where the strong water jet is shielded, not only decorating the formation but speeding up the travertine formation.

After enjoying the sights, we continue uphill on the S trail toward the Sebes-víz springs. Here, the stream feeding Huba spring emerges from two branches, but one cave entrance has been blocked by a landslide from curious eyes. The Sebes-víz itself only flows about 350 meters independently from here before flowing into the Garadna stream at the valley bottom.

Walk around a romantic lake

After the springs, the steepest part of the route follows on the S trail, made more difficult by rocky soil and fallen trees on the path, so proceed carefully. The sweaty climb ends after 200 meters, and we reach an intersection from where we continue on the K+ trail leading to the Sebesvíz Pension (left then immediately right), taking a detour to a charming small lake.

After a half-kilometer walk, we arrive at the lake, which can be circled, and we can rest on one of the benches placed on the shore. It’s an interesting sight: a romantically located small dammed lake in the middle of the forest, fed from several springs. If hunger strikes or we want to refresh with a drink, that’s possible too, as the pension has a restaurant.

After resting, we walk back to the junction and continue on the concrete road toward the Jávorkút Restaurant and Pension via the K+ trail. This is the least exciting part of the hike, but the forest path still has small points of interest; butterflies flutter around in summer, and the area is full of birdsong in spring. At the end of the nearly one and a half kilometers, the forest thins and we pass a meadow vibrant with insects and butterflies until reaching the Bolhási meadow. Here, we can rest on several benches or eat food brought along and shelter under a rain shelter in case of sudden showers or thunderstorms.

A hidden swallow hole cave

Before continuing, check out the Bolhási swallow hole cave, which hides opposite the meadow entrance, on the far side of the road, among the trees. From the path, the sound of flowing water is heard, but the small path leading to it remains hidden in summer vegetation. The swallow hole permanently but with low output swallows water from the Bolhás stream a few hundred meters upstream. The strictly protected Bolhási swallow hole cave’s entrance is secured with a gate and door.

Returning to the concrete road, after 100 meters, turn right onto the Bükk Blue Trail K and continue through a beautiful beech forest. After half a kilometer on the rocky path, we reach the highest point of our route, where only a narrow window through the forest opens to the landscape, then start descending back into the Garadna valley. At the end of the serpentine road, we walk along utility poles, then after a short section through bushes and thickets, arrive at the border of Ómassa, passing the cemetery to enter the small village.

A tiny village in the Garadna valley

Continue right on Ómassa’s paved street, soon spotting a quaint small chapel. The Kelemen Didák Chapel holds mass twice a month; it is named after a Franciscan missionary and ecclesiastical writer living in the 17-18th centuries, who founded the Nyírbátori monastery in 1720 and built several churches.

After the chapel, descend into the village center to the bus turnaround, where a small shop and cafe await those wishing to refresh. The narrow, rarely sunlit name Ómassa refers to a former iron smelting site: Henrik Fazola built his first large smelter here in the second half of the 18th century (below are forges). However, because the site was built too close to the stream given the terrain, damp ground reduced production efficiency. After long planning, in the early 19th century, operations moved to Újmassa (whose more modern furnace capacity doubled its predecessor; it is now a heritage site open to visitors). The factory eventually relocated to Diósgyőr, so Ómassa is considered the cradle of the local large-scale metal industry.

Only 2 km of walking remain to our route’s start and end point. On the side of the bus turnaround facing the stream, cross a metal-railed wooden bridge via a short unmarked path. We cross the Garadna stream and in summer, dense vegetation covers the trail and the steep path after, so it’s not always easy to spot. After the bridge, a narrow path climbs beside a fence, reaching an old forestry road after about 100 meters. Turn left here and walk back along the hillside above the Garadna. The K bicycle marked path passes under exciting cliff faces where abundant mosses and ferns grow and soon reach the confluence of the Sebes-víz valley from where, on the now-familiar S+ trail, we reach near the Garadna terminus. We walk the last meters on the unmarked path branching straight to the narrow-gauge railway. For the children, now only relaxing play remains at the Garadna Grund playground, and at the Mókus Odú snack bar, we can replenish energy reserves spent during the hike.