Kaszó: Discover Moorland and Forest

Baláta-tó and the world of the moor

The Baláta-tó Nature Reserve, covering almost 220 hectares, lies in the area around Kaszó. It has been protected since 1942 and is the oldest nature reserve in Somogy County. Botanical highlights include the rare carnivorous Aldrovanda vesiculosa, which grows in floating mats, the heart-leaved bladderwort, bog strawberry, peat mosses, marsh gentian, and the Carpathian crocus.

The approximately 600-metre-long Dr. Marián Miklós sétány runs as a boardwalk across the moor meadow and offers insights into the world of the moor without disturbing the natural features presented. One hour is allotted for exploring independently. This makes it possible to include the trail in your plans as a distinct moorland stop with a defined duration. The stated length and suggested exploration time provide different kinds of guidance: one describes the trail, while the other indicates the time to allow for your visit.

Forest trails with different focuses

The forest trails each have their own focus. Renovated in 2025, the Öregerdő Tanösvény is just under 1.5 kilometres long and has eight stations and 15 information panels. They present information about the components, interactions, and diversity of the forest community, the forest’s layers, and common plants and animals in the forest area. The emphasis here is on how the forest works as a whole.

The Lombkorona Tanösvény runs at a height of 9.5 metres, level with the lower canopy layer. The approximately 124-metre-long trail introduces typical forest plants and animals. Compared with the Öregerdő Tanösvény, which is just under 1.5 kilometres long, it is much shorter; at the same time, its height directs your attention to a different level of the forest. Those interested in forest topics can choose between a longer overview presented at several stations and a short trail through the lower canopy layer.

More nature experiences and a ride to Baláta station

The Kaszói Vadaspark presents native big game species across 2.5 hectares as part of a guided activity run by the operator. This adds a distinct focus to the plant and forest topics. When planning, remember that this is a guided activity offered by the operator.

The Kaszói Állami Erdei Vasút runs a return service between Kaszó and Baláta station. One hour is allotted for independently exploring the Dr. Marián Miklós sétány. These are two distinct points to consider when planning: the train journey between the stated stops and the time allocated for the walk. Timetables are subject to change; check the latest information before travelling.

The nature destinations offer a range of topics and scales: moor plants and meadow, the forest community and canopy layer, and native big game. When choosing a holiday apartment, consider which of these interests you would like to shape your stay and which of the trails or activities mentioned you would like to include. One hour is allotted for independently exploring the Dr. Marián Miklós sétány; the other trails are described by their lengths, stations, or topics. This allows you to compare the excursion options objectively without presenting all the trails as one combined circuit.

Regional context

Within the wider Lake Balaton – South destination, the Dráva network for active tourism has water-tourism stops along its section in Somogy County. Individual facilities may change as the network develops. This regional context adds a distinct perspective on water tourism to the nature themes around Kaszó, without conflating it with the local forest and moorland trails.

Discover more destinations: Segesd, Kutas, Nagyatád.

To the overview of the wider destination: Nagyatád.