Tihany peninsula route

On the long, concrete shoreline of the Gödrösi free beach, there are stairs in season, but outside the season, water entry is not easy—especially if the water is low and the stones are out. Don't forget that during the season, because of the remaining free parking spaces and the number of beachgoers and bathers, it is worth starting early. On the water, immediately move away from the shore, and following it first east, then south, we can begin rowing. Keep the distance even after the beach, up to the boat station dock (2.5 km) continuously, since in this section, fishing is done all year round, in summer almost day and night (yes, we will also see tents) on small bastions along the shore and often between them as well.

We will pass under Barátlakások and Óvár, then arrive at the dock of the Tihany boat station. At the end of it, turn right carefully and cross the harbor entrance and boat lane as quickly as possible, watching out for boats possibly coming from the left or leaving from the right. Looking up, you can see nicely the Tihany Benedictine abbey and church. On the shore, after the harbor buildings, we will see the entrance and buildings of the Limnological Research Institute's small harbor, then further on appears the beautiful building of Archduke Joseph Habsburg's former summer residence castle. Then we arrive at the Somosi bay, where the Somosi free beach is found, and if needed, there is also a restroom, as well as a small buffet in season, but no other infrastructure.

Continuing paddling, we reach the Tihany Boaters Association (THE) harbor, at the entrance of which there is also a buffet bar on the water. After a 1.5 km reed-lined section, we arrive at Tihanyrét. Keep a suitable distance, cross the boating lane as quickly and carefully as possible, and be especially cautious during the busy summer ferry traffic. At the base of the left pier of the ferry dock, there is a short grass-covered section where we can dock and visit the surrounding buffets and infrastructure.

After Tihanyrét, we paddle first along Club Tihany beach, then directly arrive at the Tihany Yacht Club harbor, where on the right at the entrance, there is a guest harbor with benches by the statue "Standing Woman" by Imre Huszár. If you prepared your own refreshments, this is an ideal place to consume them. It is also worth resting here if a fresher west-northwest wind blows, which makes rowing on the Sajkod side more tiring.

Following the shore further, we slowly turn northwest and after about 5-600 meters arrive at the MOL fishing camp, which in season has two large piers in the water full of fishermen—keep a polite distance from them. Above them rises the southernmost hill of the Tihany peninsula, the Hálóeresztő. Next, we arrive at a shore section where for a large part of the year, you will likely find a row of yellow buoys with red flags. These mark a closed, so-called protected area to support fish spawning, but legally they do not apply to us.

The next shore object is the MOHOSZ fishing camp's small harbor, visible from afar; prepare to keep some distance as there may be fishermen, often in boats. Then it is worth drawing closer to the shore as the contiguous, dense reed bed under Gubicza Hill follows with its birdlife. For our own and the birds' enjoyment, paddle as quietly as possible. Then we reach the wild area under Csúcs Hill, the highest point of the peninsula, where the vegetation often hangs and bends over and into the water. Regardless, it is worth rowing as close to the shore as possible here too because the cleanliness and transparency of the water, and the view of underwater stones and rocks, provide a special Lake Balaton experience.

After rounding Csúcs Hill, we arrive at the entrance to Sajkodi Bay, and on the right is Sajkod beach. At the end of the beach on our side is a gravel and sandy section where it is easy to get out. The beach is paid; if we do not want to spend money on this, we can land before arrival at one of the clearings and walk along the road to the buffets and restrooms at the end of the parking lot at the beach entrance. After resting, paddle back along the already known route to the Gödrösi free beach.