Tormafölde: Vétyemi Forest and Hiking

Tormafölde puts the Vétyemi primeval beech forest in the spotlight, with its old-growth trees, strict protection and habitat for birds, insects and rare fungi. A hike leads to the forest; cycling is possible along the renovated MAORT Road. The various activities can help you choose the focus of your stay.

The Vétyemi Forest: Woodland and Protection

The Vétyemi section of forest lies within the boundaries of Tormafölde, a few hundred metres from MAORT Road. It has been strictly protected since 1976. The trees in the Vétyemi primeval beech forest are more than 190 years old; birds, insects and rare fungi find a habitat there. Here you will encounter a woodland area whose character is shaped by both its old beech trees and its protected natural environment.

The Vétyemi primeval beech forest is also one of three forest areas in Zala County included in the national forest reserve programme. This regional designation adds another perspective to the protection in place since 1976: the forest’s inclusion in a national programme.

Hiking and Cycling

The Vétyemi hike leads to the Vétyemi primeval beech forest within the boundaries of Tormafölde. The route runs mainly along forest tracks and occasionally along marked hiking trails. A report from 2025 describes the hike as an event held annually in October. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the specific dates for the relevant edition.

On Saturdays and Sundays, you can park your car at Centrálé. From there, the rest area can be reached after a 4–5-kilometre walk. Take this distance into account when planning your day, and confirm the arrangements locally.

Cycling has been possible on the renovated MAORT Road since summer 2024. This gives you different ways to get around: a hike to the beech forest and cycling along the road. The relevant points of reference for planning are clearly identified: the rest area for the walk and MAORT Road for cycling.

Local Highlights and Choosing Accommodation

In October 2025, a nearly ten-metre-high steel observation tower and a farmers’ market were built and opened in Tormafölde. These add two more local highlights to the forest and outdoor activities. If you are planning a visit, check current visiting arrangements.

For the forest, the Vétyemi hike and the walk to the rest area are useful points of reference; for cycling, the specific route is MAORT Road. The observation tower and farmers’ market add local visits to the options.

A Distinctive Regional Perspective on Zala

In the wider destination of Zala, the Zalai Borvidék offers a different landscape. It developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the north-western slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The wine region comprises two wine districts and 38 settlements—a regional setting that differs from the Vétyemi Forest theme in Tormafölde.

Another example in the wider destination of Zala is Kis-Balaton: it is Zala’s largest body of water, is strictly protected and covers 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. These regional nature and culture themes can broaden your interests beyond Tormafölde; they offer a distinct perspective on Zala.

Discover more destinations: Alsószenterzsébet, Csesztreg, Zalabaksa, Gutorfölde, Gosztola, Kerkafalva, Lovászi, Kerkakutas

Back to the wider travel overview: Lenti.