Wheelchair accessible on the Sástó nature trail

Itinerary:

• From the Tourist Center, start towards the lake following the S▲ trail marker.
• Leaving the trail, circle the lake.
• From the lake's northern end, follow the S+ marker to Farkas-kút, then return.
• Cross the meadow to return to the Tourist Center.

Detailed route description:

Our route starts from the Tourist Center located on the eastern side of the lake. It is worth exploring the hospitality units here, which will be welcome after the hike.

We soon reach the north-south oriented lake, crossed midway by a wooden bridge. We can start our journey here or warm up with a short back-and-forth route. We circle the lake clockwise, to the left. Passing the smaller islands on the southern side of the water, about 150 meters from the shore, stands the 53-meter high Sástó lookout tower. Its appearance might remind you of an oil drilling tower, which is not coincidental: it was intended for Algyő but never operated as a drilling tower, so after some modifications, it was installed here in 1973. On a clear day, the view reaches the Tisza line or even the Buda hills, but since there is no elevator in the tower, unfortunately, it is not accessible by wheelchair. The lake's gentle, charming environment, the cool groves, and fauna rich in aquatic animals compensate for this. Several resting places around the lake enable even very limited movers to experience nature up close in the clean, well-maintained, romantic surroundings. Despite protruding stones and roots, the mostly variable surface is well passable.

Arriving at the lake's northwest shore, tougher sections await. In a less frequented, fairy-tale-like part, crooked oaks and huge willows stand by the reed and sedge-covered lakeside. We pick our way among smaller and larger stones to a spacious clearing with inviting grass carpet, surrounded by forest edges where barbecue spots and rest areas are available for hikers. Information boards tell stories about the characteristics of the landscape; the Sástó nature trail starting near our starting point playfully introduces the animal and plant life of the immediate and wider surroundings.

Gently ascending, we enter the forest, walking under the shade of oaks, alders, and scattered beeches on the S+ trail. After a short paved section, we leave the Sás lake environment behind, traveling a wide bend on a heavily gravelly, rocky, and gravel forest road. On our left, a deepening, densely overgrown gorge indicates that, deceivingly, we are continuously climbing. The forest's silence and peace are touching and calming. The healthy color and foliage of the trees owe much to the life-giving power of the several hundred springs originating nearby. The Mátra's bedrock, andesite, has weak water permeability, thus the springs' water flow is determined by precipitation conditions.

Practically without changing direction, we strive towards our goal, but on short sections the terrain is nearly impassable by wheelchair, requiring a helper in good condition. Farkas-kút is not approachable due to the last 100 meters, although the preceding 200 meters are recommended only for extreme wheelchair hikers. Now far from any urban noise, deeply inhaling fresh forest air, we begin the descent on the same path. Except for some short, steep, or very bumpy sections where descending backward is advised, it is worth proceeding slowly and gradually. The beautiful forest makes up for the physical difficulties. Returning to the long glade, on the grass in the middle of the clearing, we can return to our starting point.