Lake Tisza is one of the most beautiful still waters in Hungary, and due to its rich wildlife, it is also one of the most exciting excursion places.
The construction of the bike path around the lake was recently completed, so we can now completely cycle around the sparkling water surface while admiring the breathtaking scenery.
Cycling in romantic landscapes – Discover the special creatures of Lake Tisza
In addition to family and friendly cycles, we can also undertake an excellent endurance hike around Lake Tisza, thanks to the high-quality bike path. So young and old, athletes and those looking to go hiking can also venture into it.
The total length of the bypass of the 127 km² lake is 95 kilometers, but it is also possible to take a shorter 70 kilometers one if we cut the road on route 33 between Poroszló and Tiszafüred.
The full distance can be completed in a day for the experienced cyclists without much effort, but for families, it is worth spending an entire weekend, especially because of the beauty of the landscape.
Nature lovers are advised to interrupt their comfortable cycling from time to time and walk along a study trail, as we can meet many protected and beautiful animals here, from turtles to otters and black storks. I especially recommend the Tiszavirág Floodplain Walk and the Pákász Trail in Örvény.
The rich birdlife of Lake Tisza is also unique on a European level, so we will have something to enjoy along the way even if we don’t want to interrupt the cycle.
If we got hungry during the bike tour
If we like eating fish, I can highly recommend the Hello Hal Fish Snack Bar in Tiszaörvény.
There is a small detour, but in addition to classic fish dishes, we can also try delicacies here, such as street food, fish burgers, or various fish sausages.
The cycling tour around Lake Tisza is part of the EuroVelo 11
It is also worth knowing, especially for really big bikers, that the bike path is part of the international EuroVelo 11 bike path, so in addition to the weekend program, Lake Tisza can also be part of a really big tour.
The thousands of kilometers of EuroVelo 11 lead us from the Norwegian Nordkapp across the Tisza Lake to Athens.
Departure, rental
Although Lake Tisza can be bypassed from any settlement, it is still worth starting from Tiszafüred. On the one hand, if we do not arrive by car, the fastest way to reach this settlement from Budapest is by train.
We started from Tiszafüred
On the other hand, if you don’t ride your own bike, you can also rent a bike at the Tisza Tavi Kerékpáros Centrum (Lake Tisza Cycling Center), otherwise we can do it in Abádszalók.
However, the Cycling Center name is not by any accident, as those who want to rent can choose from hundreds of different bikes, of course, there is also an on-site service.
In addition to Tiszafüred, Kisköre and Poroszló are also frequent starting points, depending on where we arrive for the bike tour. Tiszafüred is also called the capital of the Tisza, because next to the lake, it is the settlement where you can really find everything.
If we come back here at the end of the tour, we can even relax our tired parts in the Tiszafüred Thermal Beach and Spa (5350 Tiszafüred, Poroszlói út 2.) As far as accommodation is concerned, in addition to the campsite and guest houses, there is also a hotel in the town.
Up on the Bike
If we follow the path clockwise, we will head from Tiszafüred to Abádszalók, the road will lead along the embankment, between the beautiful water and the floodplain forest.
It is important that if we want to have a break or take a short walk in the area, we should not leave our bike on the path, as cars with a permit can also ride on it. There is no need to be afraid of this, car traffic is scarce and drivers are typically very courteous with cyclists.
As the landscape here is wildly romantic, we rarely find a resting place. Abádszalók, on the other hand, has a great beach with a slide, water ski, jet ski, pedal boats, and of course, a buffet.
If we want to stay in the village, we can choose from the numerous guesthouses. Since this is almost half of the way, it is worth choosing this option if we want to complete the distance in two days.
Migratory fish
If, on the other hand, we continue to cycle, we can reach the fish ladder in Kisköre after a couple of kilometers, it is definitely worth stopping here for a while, as we will have a unique attraction.
There is the largest ecological corridor in Central Europe, 1371 meters long, where 37 water dams follow each other in the section between the lake and the Tisza, so that the fish can swim freely in both directions.
If we pause for a while, we could easily see fish “jumping” up the stairs, something I personally only found in movies. A so-called monitoring room has also been set up for the tourists, where anyone can observe the migration of fish through glass windows.
The canal was created to allow fish to move freely throughout the year between the Tisza and Lake Tisza. But there are several bird-watching towers toward Kisköre, which are also worth stopping at.
Adventure park
Leaving Kisköre, we ride over the main canal in Jászság, and then the road continues again on the dam next to the lake. The landscape is less romantic down to Sarud; here, we can relax at several ports, where it is possible to eat and drink. I recommend fish dishes, if only because it is a specialty of the area.
Although Lake Tisza is an artificial lake and was not completed until 1990, fishermen in the Tisza have been practicing the profession and practicing the science of fish cooking for centuries.
Our next stop is remarkable because of the Aquaglide Water Playground. Especially for families, it is worth staying longer here, as water slides, catapults, trampolines, sliding climbers, and many more water fun await the little ones and the big ones.
We can even stop here for a full day of relaxation. If we would like to spend the evening in the adventure village (Élményfalu), we can choose from several guesthouses. However, these should be booked in advance due to tourism.
Residents of Lake Tisza
Our next and last stop is Poroszló, which also offers a great opportunity for a full day of relaxation. Its biggest attraction is the Lake Tisza Ecocentre, which is the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, imagine that it is really very big.
In some parts, water surrounds us actually everywhere, as if we were just diving, while gigantic-sized sturgeons, including the legendary viza and beautiful sterlet, circle around us.
When we are done with the aquarium, which is about two hours, we can admire the rich flora and fauna of the lake. From the port of the Eco-Center, we can take part in demonstration water tours and small boat trips.
What should we take on the tour?
The longest untouched section of the lake is between Tiszafüred and Abádszalók, so it is definitely worth it to take water and food, especially if we go with a family.
There is no service at every corner, so it is worth taking a spare interior, a pump, and possibly minimal repair equipment, although there are no road sections where a bike in good condition would be in trouble.
If we go in the summer, we wind through many stretches of road that haven’t got shade. That’s why it is necessary to bring a straw hat or headscarf that protects you from the scorching sun. Because of this, it is also worth taking sunscreen.
Lake Tisza has only one handicap: there are plenty of mosquitoes. During the day, the “bloodsuckers” will not disturb, but after sunset, they will certainly emerge on the bike road.
It’s not recommended to ride in the dark, but if you do, take a mosquito repellent, and possibly a better one, be sure to take it with you.
What kind of animals can we meet?
Although the lake is very famous for its rich fish stock, it would be superfluous to list catfish, pike, etc., as these can only be seen with the naked eye in the previously mentioned Lake Tisza Ecocentre.
We will meet birds most often, almost unbelievable, but more than 200 species of birds live here, including rarities such as divers or skua. Egrets, herons, and storks are sure to cross our path.
Of the birds of prey, we will meet with a little luck a buzzard and a peregrine falcon, but there is also a good chance to see a sea eagle.
As for the mammals, if we are lucky enough, we can see beaver, ermine, and otter by banding on the study trails, especially if we are quiet. And there is also a good chance to see deer grazing in the floodplain forests.
Finally, two attractions, super attractions around Lake Tisza
The lake has two other unique attractions. One is the Tiszavirágzás that happens in early June.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict exactly when the beetles will start swarming, but if we run into it, we will definitely have to get off the bike, as we will not be able to ride from the huge cloud of beetles. However, it is an unforgettable sight.
The other one is the autumn bird migration, for which there are also organized tourist programs. In this case, we can see 80-100 thousand birds at a time, which is also an unforgettable experience.
Various teal and goose species rest on the lake, the most common are the summer goose and the mallard duck.
Major alternative and section routes along the full circle:
- Kisköre – Poroszló – Tiszafüred (68 km)
- Poroszló – Sarud (21 km)
- Poroszló – Tiszafüred (46 km)
- Tiszafüred – Egyek Bike tour (33 km)
- Tiszafüred – Tiszaszőlős bike tour (18 km)
- Tiszanána – Sarud bike tour (25 km)
- Nagykunság reservoir circle (33 km)
