A walk in the Kiskunság National Park
A walk in the Kiskunság National Park
Among the sandy areas of the Kiskunság National Park, the 11,000-hectare Bugac was the most famous tourist destination, already popular in the 1930s.
Its natural values, as well as the traditional extensive animal husbandry and living pastoral traditions that take place here, still attract many visitors. Walking around you can get to know the diversity of the sandplain. It is also possible to take a shorter or longer tours.
A walk in Bugacpuszta (5 km-long tour)
For those who like hiking, we recommend the Boróka educational trail in the Kiskunság National Park. Starting at the red semicircle sign, the hiking trail starts from the Karikás Csárda in the direction of the Shepherd Museum, on a wide dirt road. After about 1500 meters we reach the Shepherd Museum. Along the way, we pass a plain cross, and later past pastoral buildings reminiscent of old times (huts with buns, wattle enclosures). The information boards at the shepherds’ accommodation show the buildings used in the past.
The landscape is varied by the sight of grey cattle and horses grazing. Continuing on, we reach a caned roof structure, which is also a bird-watching place, in the shade of which there is also a possibility to take a quick rest.
An outstanding attraction is the conical structure of the Shepherd Museum, whose recent exhibition with spectacular elements commemorates the extensive animal husbandry. The exhibition place in Bugac was built in 1975 based on the plans of József Kerényi, which evoke dry mills in the Great Plain. The building, which stands free in the plain, can now be considered a valuable architectural monument, reflecting the architectural line of the 70s, thus becoming an iconic building of the landscape. In the main thematic unit of the museum, the lost shepherd’s world comes to life: a hut with a bun, a sufficient wheelbarrow, a coat of arms, shepherd figures, an exchange, racka, kuvasz, various tools reminiscent of the old times.
Our Indigenous Zoo is located a few hundred meters from the museum, behind which the Juniper educational trail starts (length: 1100m). Walking the loop-like learning trail doesn’t take much time. Guests can learn about the ecology of the remaining sand areas. Smaller ascents, mounds covered with white poplar surround our path. We can be part of the sand forest steppe vision for a short time.
The tour is 5 km long and lasts about 2 hours. The starting point is the Karikás Csárda.
Visiting conditions: The Bugac area of the Kiskunság National Park can be visited all year round, but in the tourist season from April to October 31 only by purchasing a ticket, which can be bought at the Karikás Csárda. Out of season, tourist facilities are closed