Bakonybél: Forest, Monastic Culture and Hiking Trails

Forest Collections and Monastic History

In the centre of Bakonybél, the Bakonyi Erdők Háza is housed in a former granary. Its collections focus on nature and forestry. A diorama depicts wild animals of the Bakony, while paintings by naive artist Dani Pál portray the former landscape of the Bakony Forest. The building thus brings together a depiction of wildlife and an artistic view of a past landscape—two different ways of exploring its themes.

The Szent Mauríciusz Monostor also combines architectural history with another distinctive focus: the Benedictine monastery includes a Baroque church, a monastery building dating from 1754 and an arboretum. The present-day church of Szent Mauríciusz Monostor was consecrated in 1754. A visit to the monastery therefore highlights both its historic architecture and the arboretum.

Folk Architecture and Distinctive Exhibition Themes

The Bakonybéli Tájház is located in a group of buildings dating from the mid-19th century, which exemplify the folk architecture of the Bakony. The Hasprai family built the two residential houses and the so-called torkospajta. At the same venue, an exhibition explores the origins and history of the Bakonyi indián játék, an Indian game that is more than 50 years old and associated with Cseh Tamás. The history of the buildings and the story of this game offer different highlights within the town’s visitor programme.

Another exhibition is called “Trófea és kőzetbemutató” (“Trophy and Rock Exhibition”). It features more than a hundred trophies and furs, as well as a rock exhibition. The range of exhibitions therefore spans forest and village history, wildlife and rocks.

Marked Trails and Nearby Destinations

Several marked hiking trails pass through Bakonybél. About one kilometre from the town, the Szent-kút Chapel (Borostyán-kút) stands at a popular excursion site. The present-day chapel dates from the late 19th century. The site has a 14-station Stations of the Cross and a Calvary with figures of Christ, Mary and John—specific details for anyone interested in religious history and artworks as well as nature.

The Boroszlán tanösvény is three kilometres from Bakonybél. Its seven-kilometre circular hike has a shorter, two-kilometre option. This gives you two clearly different route lengths to choose from when planning your trip. Check the park administration’s information before setting out, as published route details may change.

When choosing a holiday apartment, your preferred focus may be the deciding factor: would you like to devote your holiday mainly to the collections and historic sites in Bakonybél, or also include hiking destinations in the surrounding area?

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Bakonynána, Pénzesgyőr, Csetény, Porva, Olaszfalu, Zirc, Eplény, Dudar

For the main travel overview: Zirci.