Aggtelek

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 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 Josvafo 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.

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 Devils 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 ..., Fax: +36 48/ 503-002, e-mail: aggtelek@tourinform.hu