The Bükk, the boots, and the yeti: adventures in the highest region of Hungary

In terms of the average elevation of our country, the Bükk Mountains are our highest mountain range, in which limestone pinnacles exceed 800-900 m. Its steep pinnacles, the “Stones Range”, its deep valleys, the karst surface of the Bükk Plateau, and its mountain meadows, provide diverse flora and fauna.

Several endemic, relict, domestic and internationally rare species are known in the Bükk Mountains. The karst mountains have an extensive cave system, and more than a quarter of the well-known caves in Hungary can be found here.

The spring caves of the mountains were the abode of the ancient man. On the highlands, the remains of fortresses, earth castles, castle ruins, and elsewhere monastery ruins remind us that the mountains have always played an important role in historical times.

The Hungarian Yeti: Is it a legend or does it exist?  

The truth is on the other side. Or, out there. The point is that it is in a place where we can access it if we really want to. The cult X-Files movie series has awakened a whole generation long desire to know the truth and embraced those who have known for a long time that we were not alone.

Of course, not only the UFO believers found reassuring answers in episodes of the series, but also the observers of other mysterious phenomena and creatures.

The existence of strange things was confirmed by the series of documentary sophistication, which, of course, also increased “visions”.

This was no different in Hungary, although we should add that mysterious entity, such as the Hungarian Yeti without the need for an extra PR campaign, many meetings were reported.

The Hungarian Yeti, commonly known as the tree-hunter occurs in the Bükk Mountains. The descriptions are almost entirely the same as if they had been read by one of the lucky ones who could see the tree-hunter with their own eyes.

Based on these, it can be said that the Hungarian Mountain Yeti usually moves in the evening, in the dark, under limited visibility, which is perfectly understandable, obviously, it doesn’t want to scare anyone to death.

Mostly seen in densely forested areas, it does its best to remain undetected. Tall, thin but muscular, with a slightly bent back, and long arms, which are almost reaching to its knees.

Of course, it could have been one of the sneaky players of the Szolnok Basketball Team, a mysterious tree hunter, but accurate observations in the dark, dense forest also revealed that its body was covered in white fur with a slight brown tinge. After reviewing the team table, we can rule out the lost basketball theory.

So the tree-lover exists and happens to be that it dwells in one of the most beautiful mountains in Hungary. After this, there is no reason not to search for the Hungarian yeti, as the worst thing that can happen to us is that we will get lasting memories on wonderful hiking trails in the country’s highest average mountain range.

Where worth to Hike in the Bükk Mountains

For example, through routes such as the Bükk Plateau, which is one of the most beautiful, strange areas around here, after all, 59 of the 100 highest domestic peaks are in the Bükk Mountains, this plateau is an almost horizontal area surrounded by steep rock walls.

The Bükk Plateau, with its twenty square kilometers, is the largest plateau in Hungary, so there is plenty to discover, and there are quite a number of suitable hiding places for the tree-hunter to choose from.

The two ends of the hiking trail crossing the plateau are the former Bánkút lodging house and Szilvásvárad. The difficulty of the 17-kilometer distance between the two points is greatly influenced by the point we choose to depart from.

Starting from Bánkút is a light, three-hundred-meter elevation climb, that can be accomplished by anyone – rather a whole day tour – but starting from Szilvásvárad the climb is much higher, so it is more suitable for those hikers with more routine.

From wherever we choose to depart, we will find wonderful places like the Three Stone at 903 meters, which has one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bükk Mountains, the clearing of the Jewish meadow with juniper, the most spectacular of the plateau, or the Girl-Valley lookout tower with a rocky cliff overlooking the highly protected valleys that have been blocked from visitor visibility, so it can not be seen from anywhere else.

All of this accompanied by beautiful beech and pine forests, so that we will not miss any of the natural wonders offered by Bükk.  

A much shorter, but no less enjoyable, tour of the Szinva nature trail. The four-kilometers long route has trickier parts where we have to look quite ahead of us, but overall we don’t have to be Bear Grylls to complete.

The trail starts from next to the Hermann Otto Memorial Park and runs along the Szinva and Garadna rivers, touching the Kiss Plateau. The trail is also guided by a series of information boards, which we can learn more about the fauna and flora of the area.

The famous stops of the nature trail are beside the Szinva creek the alder, the Molnár cliff, and the Szeleta cave, which is one of the most protected caves of Hungary and one of the Stone Age cradles of Bükk life. The latter is also worth viewing from within.

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Leaving the cave, after a short walk, we arrive at Lillafüred, Lake Hámori. And once we are here, it is definitely worth going to Palotaszálló (Castle Hotel) to see the wonderful hanging garden and the country’s largest fall waterfall, Lillafüred Waterfall, making it a sumptuous point at the end of our hike.

Bolhási Waterhole Cave

It is true in the Bükk Mountains as well that not only the exterior but also the interiors are very important. There are over a thousand caves in the area, many of which can be visited by tourists.

There are caves of various depths, lengths, and complexities to choose from if we want to get a closer look at the interior of the Bükk Mountains. Of these, the extreme category is enhanced by the Bolhási Waterhole Cave, which can be discovered during guided tours organized by the Bükk National Park Directorate.

It is no longer a game, only those over the age of 14, who are physically fit to overcome the difficulties of the cave field, can take part in the tour or confront with a yeti.

During the tour, we can fight our way through the second longest active waterhole cave in Bükk. It is almost certain that we will not get away with the adventure, luckily the organizers provide all the necessary equipment for the most effective harm reduction.

Vertical shafts and narrow, creepy climbs make it harder for the adventurers, but the formations we can find in the cave provide plenty for our physical torture. The tour lasts for two hours, during which time we learn to appreciate the sunlight and spacious spaces.

As can be seen from the above, the tree-hunter has chosen a habitat with an excellent sense of taste. The variety and richness of the landscape ensure that the wandering alone Yeti will not get bored and start stealing alcohol from the surrounding settlements, while the numerous caves, dense forests and valleys hide with certainty this almost mystical creature.

As we explore the many, more beautiful hiking trails in the Bükk Mountains, keep in mind that we are not alone and behave with humility toward all creatures of nature.

So, if we see the tree-hunter, we DON’T want to have a selfie with it! 🙂