Cycling tourism

„In Hungary in the 1970s and 1980s the bicycle was considered as an old-fashioned vehicle and cyclists were also looked upon as troublesome and inconvenient travellers. (Terra Stúdió Kft. 2005. p. 15)”. With the appearance of separate bicycle paths and lanes this situation has changed. The length of bicycle paths and lanes has steadily been on the increase from the early 1990s onwards and it reached 1,300 km in the millenial year. In addition, an increasing number of minor roads and embankments are used today by cyclists. Despite these developments the length and the quality of bicycle paths in Hungary do not reach the desired indicators.

Cycling has become a significant and fast developing branch of recreation- and sports tourism. It can be pursued in any age, protects the environment, and its lovers can pursue their sport either individually, or in groups. Roads, bicycle paths, mountain slopes are all suitable for it. Its difficulty ranges from the very easy to the extremely difficult, depending on the terrain, weather conditions, the length of the route, and the weight mounted on the bicycle. The terrain in Hungary is exceptionally good for cycling, but unfortunately there are many places in the country where there are no bicycle paths and services necessary for cycling tourism. (Repair services, eateries, accomodation).

Popular trails include the following: Lake Balaton Round Trip (231 km), paths along the Danube (457 km), along the Tisza River (549 km), at the foothills of the Alps (292 km), in Southern Baranya: Mecsek-Villányi-mountains. (179 km), From Budapest to Lake Velencei(172 km), the Tour of Kiskunság (240 km), Hortobágy and its environs (133 km), The Körös rivers, Békés County (190 km), Castles and mansions in northern Hungary (Börzsöny-Cserhát (121 km), The Bükk Plateu-Aggteleki-karst-Zempléni-mountains (404 km) (4).