Vaszoly to Balatonudvari, Balaton Uplands National Park

Rich and clean, potable water, in fantastic natural surroundings. The spring is named after St. Jacob who is the patron saint of the tiny town / village of Vaszoly.

Vaszoly, as a settlement, was first mentioned in historical documents in 1082, in a list of parochial domains and servants of this region. According to archeological research and findings, the little valley of Vaszoly, abundant in water, was inhabited since ancient times. Archeologist have also found here ruins of Roman houses and graves and coins from the 3rd and 4th centuries A.C. (caesars I., II. Constantinus, Valentinianus).

A catholic church of the village was first mentioned in 1230. The turks have destroyed the church and the village in the 16th century, and the settlement became completely inhabited. Vine-growers started to settle down again at the end of the 17th century.

Today Vaszoly has 240 inhabitants.

This luxury guest house - with sauna, internet, satellite TV channels, etc. - can accommodate up to six guests. Bike and kayak rental, horse riding.
Phone: +36 30 663 7757 (English speaking)

Family friendly, for all skill levels, incl. cross country riding in Balaton Uplands National Park (Balaton-felvidéki Nemzeti Park).
Phone: +36 30 663 7757 (English speaking)

Construction of the church was completed in 1803. Today under "national monument" protection.

Catholic masses are held every Sunday. During Summer classical concerts, within the framework of the "Vaszoly Summer Cultural Days".

This is a very little pub and grocery store, with limited opening hours and very basic assortment. If you need more shopping, Balatofured, the city about 10 km away is recommended. There you will find all the major retail chains and even a small shopping mall.

First picture: take a left here - this is the small road that will take you to Balatonudvari, first through a forest then in vineyards, sloping down towards Lake Balaton.

It is said by locals, that among the many springs in and around Vaszoly, this is the one with the cleanest water. It is not easy though to drink from this well because it is not really maintained. However, if you have a cup with you, you might want to taste the water before you continue your journey to the next spring, located South of Vaszoly.

This is the third (and last) spring that you visit on your way from Vaszoly to Balatonudvari. As said before, Vaszoly is famous for its many springs. Before the second world war Vaszoly had six water mills and was the wheat milling center of the region. People used to bring their wheat here on horse carts from as far as 30 km. Unfortunately, after the war, during the soviet occupation of the country the mills were secularized by the communist government. The operation of the mills was stopped and the parts were stolen, taken away.

Especially during summer months, you might enjoy this part of the trip through the cool beech forest. This forest is special also from a climatic point of view. Normally, beach trees in Central Europe can be found over 500-600 m of sea level. The valley of this forest has a very humid and cool microclimate which makes it possible for the beech tree to grow here since centuries.

The oldest beech tree on Balaton Uplands, with a perimeter of 440 cm. Beech trees with over 400 cm perimeter are very rare, the old, big pieces normally come down, rot before they can reach that size.

Quiet country restaurant, in the middle of vineyards, with fantastic panorama view on lake Balaton.

Open between May - September, daily from 11:00 - 22:00.

Tel: +36 87-704-822 or +36-20-397-8170 or +36-70-459-2965. You must be lucky to get an English speaking person on the other end of the line. German is more probable.

Intimate environment, in middle of vineyards, with huge portions. You can try typical Hungarian dishes like fisherman's soup, bean goulash, sheep stew, etc.

Royal Balaton Golf and Yacht Club, the first 18-hole golf course on Lake Balaton suitable for organizing international championships, is awaiting golf lovers in a picturesque, Mediterranean-style environment. The golf course lies in a unique natural environment, offering a splendid panorama over Lake Balaton. Four fairways are surrounded by forests and the beauty of the landscape is accented by natural lakes and vineyards. The course is adjacent to the Balaton Uplands National Park and includes the old quarry of Örvényes which is a nature reserve. The 13th hole bordering the quarry will challenge the best golfers.

In the old cemetery, there are nearly fifty heart-shaped white limestone gravestones all of which were carved in the first half of the 19th century. The stonework was probably made by local, uneducated craftsmen, which is shown by the many grammar, spelling mistakes of the inscriptions on the gravestones. The cemetery has been declared a heritage site.

Why the gravestones were carved in this shape is unknown. This style is very rare in Hungary.

Beach on Lake Balaton. Small bars, buffets (sausage and beer) are open during Summer months. Small boats, "water bycicles" for rent. You will have to pay a fee to enter the beach. Volleyball and "sand soccer" fields. Playground for kids.