Along the reservoirs in the Velence Hills

Itinerary:

• We follow the S trail through the streets of Velence.
• After the Bence Hill lookout, the blue cyclist sign also appears, and from here we basically stay on it all the way.
• Near the Angelika spring, the blue pictogram continues both to the right and the left, but we continue to the right.
• A few kilometers later the situation is similar; we turn right again.
• A few hundred meters before the Ingókő rocks, we need the blue pictogram that runs the same way as the P+ sign.
• A few hundred meters later we leave the P+ sign and continue on the Z trail with the blue cycling pictogram.
• At the border of Pátka, as we move away from the reservoir, the Z signs leave our path, and keeping direction, we reach the Fehérvári road.
• From the Fehérvári road, we ride along the Vasút street, then continue on an unmarked path along the embankment until reaching road 811.
• After crossing road 811, we follow the S tourist signs to Lovasberény.
• After leaving Lovasberény, we stay on the asphalt with the blue pictogram and do not follow the S sign running parallel in the forest.
• At the Nadapi saddle on the hilltop, we turn right into the forest following the blue pictogram.
• We follow the blue cycling pictogram, then return to the parking lot along the S trail.

Detailed description:

The streets leading to the Bence Hill lookout provide a quick warm-up. Lookouts are rarely built in low-lying places, and this is no exception; so we start our journey spinning easily at the 2018-opened structure, from which there is a beautiful panorama of the lake spreading behind us. Note that visiting the lookout is subject to opening hours and an entrance fee, so it is worth timing our departure accordingly!

Heading into the forest!

After looking around and taking photos, we leave the lookout following the S trail, then after a strip of asphalt, we fully enter the forest. After some rutty climbing, we arrive at a small clearing with a junction where we will join from the right a few hours later. This time we continue straight ahead on the P trail. We roll energetically northwest along a dual-track logging road. Such roads require caution toward both dangers: washouts and ruts. Upon reaching the forest edge, we turn left, then follow a section paved with large stones, which is quite bumpy.

Let's see where we are heading!

Fortunately, this doesn’t last long. Turning left again, the atmosphere and the soil change along with the direction. We can pedal on classic dirt roads beside plowed fields. Turning right along the P+ sign, the increasingly loose, sandy soil signals that the Ingókő rocks are nearby. After a steep but short climb, we need to turn left to see the rocks. This detour is worth it not only for the rocks but also because from there we can clearly see our next destination, the Pátkai reservoir.

We continue straight, riding through a somewhat exposed, lunar-like landscape, then after a descent we can glide carefreely on a white gravel logging road toward road 811. After carefully crossing this road, we need to turn left after 1-2 meters onto a field path. Riding along the edge of the field on an earth road, we head straight for the forest edge. After reaching the trees, we roll down a pleasant slope, then suddenly the side of the embankment appears, behind which the reservoir is located.

The kingdom of anglers

Climbing onto the dam, our route follows the water for a while, then turning right we ride along the Rovákja stream entering Pátka. We cross under the railway onto the main road, then at the first opportunity turn left. As we head toward the railway, our path ends and continues on a trodden track between the embankment and the field. Riding parallel with the tracks, we cross the 811 road again from the opposite direction. After a small zigzag, we follow the road marked with S along the trees on a logging road.

Soon the neatly maintained Lujzamajor fish pond appears on the right. After leaving the lake, we must cross a fenced private area where peaceful buffalo graze three times a year, each for two weeks. The owner is happy to let tourists pass but asks that the gate latch be closed after passing. If traveling on a “buffalo” day, it is good to know these animals are gentle and can be passed calmly; however, if hiking with a dog, be sure to keep it on a leash in this section. Dodging tractor tracks, we reach a worn service road, then heading straight, it is almost unnecessary to mention which numbered road we cross next...

Today's last lake...

A few minutes later we reach water again, today's smallest lake, the Gálos Lake. Riding among the trees, a Soviet monument indicates that we have arrived in Lovasberény. Passing the impressive yet sadly deteriorated Cziráky Castle, we enter the settlement. Continuing along Kossuth Lajos street on the far side of the main road, we slowly leave and cross the railway line at the border, then ride alongside vineyards toward Nadap. We continue for a while along the forest edge before turning left onto the main road running parallel to us.

We climb the Nadap saddle on asphalt, which will be more welcome toward the end of the day. Near the top, we turn right back into the forest. After a few minutes, we reach the fork familiar from the start of our hike. The track climbed early in the day is to be navigated carefully downhill as it is not safe! From here, following the S trail, we just need to roll back to the parking lot. Enjoy your rest!