Discover Nagybakónak

Nagybakónak combines hiking trails with insights into local history. A specific circular hike leads to several named stops; there is also a shady rest area and the landscape of the Csibiti Valley nearby. You can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors or also learn about the history of the village.

Hiking trails and rest stops

The hike recommended in the book „Fedezze fel az 1000 éves Zalát!“ starts in Nagybakónak and passes Gesztenyeház, the memorial post for Pál Rockenbauer and the Postás key house before returning to the village. The route is 5 km long and has an elevation gain of 200 m. These figures give you concrete information for planning your day. The route description is dated 2020; check trail conditions before setting out.

Gesztenye-kunyhó is a shady rest area along hiking trails. You can reach it via Magyar utca and József-hegy and Farkas-hegy. If you are planning to go with children, the length and elevation gain of the circular hike can help you assess whether it is suitable; be sure to take current trail conditions into account.

Csibiti Valley lies northwest of Nagybakónak and is a deep valley formed by erosion. The Csibiti Spring and an artificial pond that collects water can be reached along the valley floor. Because of its exceptionally diverse flora and fauna, the valley is under local protection by the municipality of Újudvar. The valley and waterscape thus complement the circular hike’s waypoints with another natural area nearby.

Local history in the rectory

Nagybakónak’s local history exhibition opened in the summer of 2008 in the rectory next to the church. The subjects covered include archaeological finds and photographs from the 1960s; the Thúry György Museum in Nagykanizsa provided the photographs. These topics offer a different way to explore the village than the hiking route: here, the focus is on finds and historical images rather than the landscape.

Zala: landscape, nature and culture

The wider travel destination of Zala offers other landscape-related themes to explore. Kis-Balaton is Zala’s largest body of water, strictly protected and covering 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. The Zalai Wine Region, meanwhile, developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai Hills and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthely Mountains. It comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. The natural and wine-growing landscapes offer different ways to explore Zala more broadly.

Another focus for a day trip is the Kápolnapuszta Bison Reserve. A 1.5-kilometre walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints runs through the reserve. During opening hours, visitors may pet the tame animals every day. The Water Buffalo Festival is also held there each year in May or June; check the specific dates before your trip.

At the Kotsy Watermill in Zalaszántó, you can see a 390 cm overshot waterwheel mechanism in operation. At Zalavár Historical Memorial Park, you can visit the Millennium Memorial Building and St Stephen’s Chapel free of charge during opening hours. Check the current opening days before setting off.

The towns and historic sites offer a range of different highlights, too: Festetics Palace in Keszthely is Hungary’s fourth-largest palace and has 101 rooms. Lake Hévíz is the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake; therapeutic treatments there are available only by prior appointment. Appointments can be booked at the therapy reception of the Festetics Bath House. The ruins of Rezi Castle stand atop the 418-metre-high dolomite ridge of Meleg-hegy, overlooking the Zalaszántó Basin.

Choosing the right place for your holiday rental

A clear priority can help you find a holiday rental: do you want Nagybakónak’s circular hike and local history to shape your stay, or are you planning a broader exploration of the Zala travel destination? First decide which places you want to visit, then focus your holiday rental search accordingly. This lets you compare destinations based on the experiences that matter to you, rather than choosing accommodation separately from your planned route.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nagykanizsa, Magyarszerdahely, Pölöskefő, Sormás, Nagyrécse, Újudvar.

Back to the main travel overview: Nagykanizsai.