Hortobágy

Hortobágy National Park Demonstration sites, programme opportunities

Hortobágy National Park Visitor Centre

We recommend the visitor centre as a starting point for a visit to Hortobágy. Visitors to the Hortobágy can find full information on programmes, events, accommodation and catering. A 3D film series about the wildlife and natural values of the Hortobágy, showing the life of the wilderness through 4 seasons.

In the gift shop in the building you can buy handicraft products, souvenirs, books and publications. The range also includes buffalo, venison, grey cattle salami and homemade cheeses.

The fauna of the Hortobágy - Natural History Exhibition

A natural history exhibition showing the natural history of the wilderness and its rich wildlife. The salt marsh, the swamp and the Sicilian forest as typical habitats are presented in dioramas and in the form of a number of specimens of species.

The World of Darvak - In the Footsteps of Travellers exhibition

The crane is the heraldic bird of the Hortobágy National Park. The World of the Darvak – Tracing the Wanderers exhibition aims to present this exceptional bird species and its relatives on five continents from as many angles as possible, and to give visitors a playful introduction to the species through interactive tools.

Hortobágy Shepherds' Gate Museum

The Shepherd’s Gate Museum building was originally a carriage house, where travellers passing through and those coming to the fairs would stop for a rest. The exhibition presents the 19th-20th century with the help of life-like puppets, live images, projections and sound recordings. the pastoral life typical of the Hortobágy at the turn of the century.

Circular Crafts Exhibition and Fair

What makes the exhibition at the Circular Exhibition unique is the vivid display of crafts typical of the region. Here you can see the workshops of the strap makers, potters, bootmakers, blacksmiths, hatters, gingerbread makers and cobblers, all furnished in period style. You can also buy handicraft products in the Körszín gift shop. In front of the Circus is a carved stone pillar commemorating the presentation of the World Heritage Diploma.

Hortobágy Wildlife Park

The wildlife park, based on the natural features of the area, is an excellent showcase for the wildlife of the ancient wilderness. Among its inhabitants are species of animals that lived in the area before the arrival of man, but which have been displaced by the spread of civilisation, such as the wolf, jackal, wild horse, vulture and pelican. Wild animals still living in protected areas are also shown. Among others: wildcat, fox, great egret, grey heron, crane, white stork.

The wildlife park also aims to present these species in an environment that reflects the former, pre-human face of the Hortobágy. The Mill House Demonstration Area is an excellent place to do this, as it has all the typical landscape features: groves, marshes and, of course, large expanses of bush.

In the exhibition hall, you can learn about the world of amphibians and reptiles in terrariums, the ancient wildlife of the wilderness with life-size ancestors, wild horse and wild ass skeletons, large-scale illustrated species descriptions and dioramas showing typical habitat types. Thanks to the design of the catwalks, visitors have a great opportunity to photograph animals.

The duration of the programme is approx. 1.5 hours.

Extra safari

In the wildlife park, you can get up close and personal with big game on an extra safari programme. During the tour, you can get close to the wild horses and ancestral mounts by jeep. The extra charge is weather dependent and the duration is approx. 25 minutes; maximum 7 people.

Registration for the programme is possible on site at the Wildlife Park Gift Shop.

Programme - Hortobágy Nonprofit Ltd.

Pusztai Paddling
Visit the 300-year-old Mátai Ménes in Hortobágy, where you can experience the experience that inspired our poets and painters on our wagon tour.
You can get to know our old Hungarian domestic animals, meet the rackanyai, the grey cattle guinea fowl, the nonius mare, the buffalo guinea fowl. During the colt show, you can admire the perfect harmony between the colt and his horse, you can get a glimpse of the science of our coltists who still continue their ancestors’ craft in its original form, but also Petőfi’s well-known poem “the four-horse cart was slow to make its way”. At the end of the programme you can take a walk in the stables of the stud farm, visit the workshop of József K. Nagy, master potter from Nádudvar, who will teach you the skills of black pottery making, and then visit our wagon exhibition. Stop for a good coffee in the Nyerges press, a real curiosity, separated from the central stable by a glass wall. In addition to all this, you will also find products from local artisans in our gift shop.
The programme is available from spring to autumn (15. March to 31. October) and is weather permitting.
Departure times: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
In April, May, September and October, a minimum of 10 people are required for the 16-hour programme.
Departure:Mátai Ménes Information
Finishing: Saddleback press
Duration: approx. 1,5 hours
Ticket prices:
3.500.-Ft/adult (the ticket price includes a 200 HUF coupon, which can be purchased in the Nyerges press café)
1.500.-Ft/child (between 6 and 14 years), under 6 years free of charge
7.500.-Ft/family ticket (2 adults and 2 children – between 6 and 18 years, each additional child 1.500.-Ft)
Approach:
Coming from Debrecen on the main road 33 through the village of Hortobágy, crossing the Kilenclyukú bridge, take the first exit to the right.
From the direction of Tiszafüred, take the first left on the main road 33, just before the village of Hortobágy and the bridge over the Nine Hole Bridge.
Address: 4071 Hortobágy Máta major 48. GPS:47°35’40.03″N 21°9’23.89″E
Phone: +36 70 4927655
E-mail: mataimenes@hortobagy.eu

Pusztai Zoo

Pusztai Zoo was founded in 1997 by the Hortobágy Nonprofit Ltd. was created to present our old Hungarian domestic animals and to promote the maintenance and popularization of these breeds in Hungary. So when you visit the zoo, you’re not only walking among donkeys, Parlag goats, bald-necked hens, racka sheep and Huckle horses, you’re also contributing to their breeding.
In the petting zoo, children can meet sheep, goat goats, donkeys and donkey cubs. In the kitchen of the puszta, you can cook meals in the ironing room and pull your child around the park in a small cart. The National Goulash Contest and Shepherd’s Pie Festival is a special holiday in the Pusztai Zoo. Our adventure day of Pusztai virtues is a great success with adults and children alike.
The Pusztai Zoo is an ideal location for school trips, group visits and team-building training. Our wooden playground, carts and bush virtual games offer all-day recreation for everyone.
Admission price:
Adult: 900 HUF, pensioner, student, child: 600 HUF
Under 3 years free
Family ticket: 2 adults, 2 children: 2.500 HUF, 2 adults, 3 children: 3.000 HUF
Pure colours, tastes, smells: herb recognition based on decoctions, plants, tea tasting, price: 300 HUF/person. The session lasts approximately. 1 hour.
Pusztai Virtus: rabbit roasting, kettle bashing, stork stamping, water pulling, horseshoe throwing, horseshoe throwing, price: 200 HUF/person. The session lasts approximately. 1 hour.
The price of the programmes is not included in the entrance fee. Prior registration is required to participate in the programmes. The programmes are min. 10 people are required.
Address: 4071 Hortobágy, Tornyi domb 1. GPS: 47.580303 / 21.139087
Phone: +36 52 701037, +36 30 9985458

Hortobágy Tavern

For more than 300 years, this beautiful, recently restored World Heritage-listed monument has been waiting for travellers at the foot of the Nine Hole Bridge, next to the former Salt Road.
In the former guest rooms you can see an exhibition about the history of the inn, the life of the travellers and the figures of our great explorers of the wilderness. In the restaurant section, we offer traditional shepherd’s pie and delicacies baked and cooked from the ingredients of the wilderness – grey cattle, racka, guinea fowl, mangalica, fish – accompanied by good Hungarian brandy and wines.
The inn welcomes visitors, families, friends, couples, small and large groups up to 250 people. The terrace, the porch, the garden and of course the interior of the building have a special atmosphere. It’s worth a visit all year round, as even the harsh winter weather is made cosy by the warm tiled stoves, hot soups and fiery drinks. The live gypsy music in the tavern only adds to the great atmosphere. We offer our guests seasonal specials in our table offers.
Tradition, naturalness, noble simplicity, rustic flavours
Join us! You will find us along the main road 33, in the heart of Hortobágy, at the foot of the Nine Hole Bridge.
Chárdavleiter: István Márkus
Address:4071 Hortobágy, Petőfi tér 1.
Phone: +36 52 589338, +36 52 589 010

Exhibition

The project “Habitat management of grazing ponds in the Hortobágy”. This exciting exhibition, created as part of our Life+ project, showcases the unique habitat, flora and fauna of the Pannonian salt steppes and marshes. A very rare feature of this habitat are the grazing ponds, which are found only in the Hortobágy region of the country. Saving and revitalising the pasture ponds is the task of the project workers. In the exhibition you can learn more about this work through playful, interactive elements.
The exhibition takes place at the Kungyörgy farm, which can be reached from the main road 33, and which, together with the surrounding area, was the largest pasture of Debrecen. The interactive elements of the exhibition can be viewed in the service building, while the former water tower serves as a viewing platform.
The exhibition is open from spring to autumn and admission is free, but advance booking is required.
Phone: +36 70 4927656, +36 30 3460300

Hortobágy-halastavi Little Railway

The Hortobágy fish ponds form one of the largest fish pond systems in Central Europe, which, in addition to their use for pond farming, harbour a diverse and rich fauna. The 2000-hectare central lake has been protected since the creation of the Hortobágy National Park. The nesting and migrating birdlife is particularly valuable, and the fishpond system is one of the best-known bird habitats in Central Europe.

The railway, which is the only passenger railway in Hungary running in the fishpond environment, provides an excellent opportunity for tourists to comfortably reach the more remote parts of the fishpond system and enjoy the unique landscape and the birdlife of the inner lakes.

Hortobágy Sunburning Shop-Park

An undisturbed night-time environment is an important element of the naturalness of the national park. To protect this, in 2011 our country’s second star-branded park was created. In the Swallow House in the forest school’s observatory or in the national park’s natural treasures, there are astronomy programmes combined with a presentation of the natural values of the national park. Classes, groups, families, forest school children can also request a stargazing programme with a presentation.

Website: https://hortobagy.csillagpark.hu

Educational trails and areas to visit in the Hortobágy National Park

In order to preserve the natural values and the safety of visitors, so-called “demonstration areas”, or nature trails, have been created in the national park for guided hiking. These areas present a typical habitat of the Hortobágy, which visitors can explore on their own. The areas can be visited with a national park pass.

Hortobágy-halastav nature trail

Along the trail, visitors can learn about the birdlife and flora of the Hortobágy fishponds and open water marshes. The area is one of the most important waterfowl habitats in Central Europe and the Hortobágy, and visitors will get a detailed picture of the breeding and migratory waterfowl communities of the Carpathian Basin. The trail is also an opportunity to see many of Central Europe’s endangered waterfowl species. Visitors will also get an insight into the working processes of fish pond farming and certain aspects of habitat management for nature conservation purposes.The Hortobágy Migration Research Station, or more commonly known as the bird ringing station, is located on the trail, where mainly songbirds are captured for scientific purposes using curtain nets set up along the boardwalk. At the ringing station, we organise several bird ringing demonstrations, mainly during the spring and autumn migration periods. Accessible on foot, by bicycle, by small train.
Access: from Highway 33 67. at the junction at the milestone, in the direction of Hortobágy-Halastó. By rail, on the Debrecen-Füzesabony line from Hortobágyi-Halastó station approx. 100 metres.

Egyek-pusztakócsi marsh demonstration area / Górési nature trail and Black Ridge nature trail

The Egyek-pusztakóc marshland once covered almost 10,000 hectares on the border of Ohat – Egyek – Tiszafüred, but its water supply was interrupted in the 19th century. century, it has disappeared as a result of river regulation works. Thanks to the rehabilitation work of the national park, the water flow before the Tisza was regulated has been restored and the marshland habitat revived. On the trail you can visit the Górés farm, where you can learn about the history of the Filagoria pile and the history of the kurgan and the pile, and get an insight into the work of the national park’s bird repatriation plant with the help of the aviaries.
Near Górés-tanya you can reach the Fekete-rét educational trail on the dam surrounded by willows, where you can see the diverse fauna of the swamp from a boardwalk. The cultural and historical monument of the show area is the Meggyes tavern. Accessible on foot and by bike.
Accessibility: along the main road 33 from the road junction in Einek or from Kócsújfalu.

The Salmia Nature Trail

A visit to the trail will give you an overview of the most typical salt marsh habitats and landforms in the Hortobágy National Park. The starting point of the trail and its namesake, the Szálka Mound, is a kurgan built around 5000 years ago by nomadic, Pusztai peoples who lived here at the end of the Bronze Age.
All the plant communities typical of the Hortobágy Sikese can be observed here. Accessible on foot.
Access: along the main road 33 at the 79. at the milestone.

Tisza Lake Water Trail and Nature Trail

On the trail, visitors can walk along a 1,500-metre-long boardwalk and gain an insight into the flora and fauna of Lake Tisza. The trail can be accessed by boat from the harbours contracted with the national park or by a regular boat trip from Poroszlo. From the footpath you can hike to the previously inaccessible wildlife area of the lake. Information boards and bird-watching houses help you to observe the creatures.The water walkway can be reached by boat from the Fűzfa harbour.

More information about the attractions and services of the Hortobágy National Park:
Hortobágy National Park Visitor Centre
4071 Hortobágy, Petőfi tér 9.
Tel: +36 52 589 000 – +36 52 369 140
E-mail: info@hnp.hu – hortobagy@tourinform.hu

The largest spa complex of Europe

Copyright all rights reserved Hungarospa Zrt. 2024.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest