Aggtelek
,
is a small village in Northern Hungary.
The village is next to Aggtelek
National Park , which is mostly famous for its unique cave
system.
The caves are under UN protection as part of the World Heritage
Sites.
What you can see there is made of 220 million years old Triassic
limestone.
273 Karst caves are known, and 23 are stictly protected.
Most
famous is Baradla, first mentioned in 1594. 25.5km in length, it is the largest
cave system in Central Europe. 5.3km of the caves are in Slovakia.
The
surrounding area is full of natural beauties, 130species of birds to look out
for if you take a short or long walk in the hills.
Baradla Carst
Cave
Baradla Cave is the largest cave of Hungary. It has three
entrances: the natural entrance near Aggtelek and two artificial entrances. One
artificial entrance is near Jósvafo and the other one between Aggtelek and
Jósvafo, near Vörös-tó (Red Lake).
The Aggtelek branch of the cave shows
the Concert Hall. This huge chamber is used for concerts for many years. This
part of the cave offers speleothems in extraordinary colours, blackish
stalactites protruding from a red and green coloured ceiling.
The Jósvafo
branch has the Giant's Hall. This chamber is used for a musical experience
during the tour.
But the highlight is the through trip from one show cave
to the others. Mainly a huge tunnel with few side passages, this tour is
intended for the abvebturous tourist. The tour is 7km long, but very easy, no
crawls, no narrow parts, no climbing. Just wear wellingtongs because of the cave
loam. The long tour includes even a picknick half way, bring a sandwich,
picknick tables are provided. Before reaching the concrete trail on the other
side, the boots are washed, otherwise the trips would bring dirt on the
paths.
The cave extends across the political boundary to the Slovak
Republic, about 5.000m of this system lies beneath Slovakian territory. A part
of the same cave system is a third show cave, under the name Jaskyna
Domica on the other side of the border. This traverse is today, after the end of
the cold war, not a problem any more. The remnants of the metal gates which once
formed an underground border line are visible but defunct. The tour is
impressive, but following stream passages, climbing through gours and dolly
tubs, is strenuous and includes getting wet. This tours is possible after
appointment, but it requires the physical ability and appropriate gear like
wellingtons, caver's overall, helmet, water proof lamps, and
gloves.
archaeological excavation showed that this cave was once visited by
stone-age man.
Baradla
Karst Cave
Entrance fee from 2100HUF (~10euros)
There are different tours,
but you should make prior notice to book
Folk House
See how people lived in early
20th century
Aggtelek, Kossuth L. 8 Tel.:+36-48503208
Church
buit in the 12th century
Walking
tours
take a walking tour in National Park of Aggtelek
Cave
walks
Longer and shorter cave walks
discover the beauties of
underworld
Major
tours in the caves
Short tour :
duration 1hour
price :
highseason
2100
HUF/adult, 1300 HUF/child
lowseason
1900 HUF/adult, 1100
HUF/child
Tour starting times :
highseason
9am,10am,noon,1pm,3pm,5pm,6pm
lowseason
10am,11:30am,1pm,3pm
Red lake tour :
duration : 2hours
price
:
highseason
2500HUF/adult,
1500HUF/child
lowseason
2300HUF/adult, 1300HUF/child
Tour
starting times :
highseason 10am, noon, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
lowseason 10am,
2pm, 4pm
Guided walking tours in Aggtelek National Park
Our guide will introduce
visitors to the natural and cultural history of the village. The 3-hours tour
passes the traditionally cultivated fields. You can pay homage to the memory of
people working for the Baradla Cave during the past centuries, and you can have
an insight into the life of a gingerbread workshop.
The principle route
of the walk: World Heritage monument (Baradla Cave entrance) - Baradla Plateau
and hillside - “the Devil’s ploughland” (karrenfeld), Aggtelek Lake - belfry -
Zombor-lyuk sinkhole - cemetery and memorial posts - Reformed church - the Big
Well (sight of the ruined inn) - peasant room - Mandala Handicrafts Workshop
(gingerbread and candlemaking) - Baradla Cave entrance. The number of visitors
is limited to 30 people at a time.
Schedule of tours:
• Between 1st
April and 30th September and on Saturdays in October: at 13.00 even with a
single participant.
• Between 1st October and 31st March: on advanced booking
(at least 3 days ahead) between 9.00 and 13.00 with a minimum of 5
participants.
Admission fee: 1 000 HUF
Discount: 600
HUF
Tickets are available at the ticket office next to the cave entrance
at Aggtelek.
Advanced booking: +36 48/503-000, Fax: +36 48/
503-002, e-mail: aggtelek@tourinform.hu
Accommodations nearby
Buy GomorCard
to have 20% discount on entrance fees in Baradla Caves (from the Short
tour) 600HUF
