Tour description:
Our cycling tour focuses on the birds of Lake Fertő and we start at the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd. After taking a walk in the exquisite castle garden, we head to Nyárliget. Cycling the lowland-type landscape we soon reach the Austrian border, and the settlement of Pamhagen, or Pomogy in Hungarian. A very well-known animal park and Pannonia leisure park are attractive tourist destinations. We encounter saline lakes and truly rural sights, until we cross Seewinkel, or in Hungarian, Tószög. The bird population is uniquely rich. Don’t be surprised if a female greylag goose passes by with her young ones on the bicycle road - in single file. We must pass by with due care, as priority is given here to wildlife in this specially protected area. We head on over to Sarród and Mekszikópuszta, back to Hungary, seeing another significant bird habitat. For years now, experts from the Fertő-Hanság National Park have been doing an effective habitat reconstruction, the results of which we can personally ascertain. Our next stop is the settlement of Sarród, once the center of local fishing with a port, although it is difficult to imagine this now. What we can see with our own eyes is the largest building of Central Europe with a thatched roof, the center of the National Park. The starting point of our tour, Fertőd is just a stone’s throw away.
Sights:
Kócsagvár, Sarród:
The Heron Castle is the seat of the Fertő-Hanság National Park Directorate. It is the largest thatched-roofed building of Hungary and Central Europe. The center regularly hosts conservation events, exhibitions and conferences. One of the main locations of the forest school programs organized by the national park is the Kócsagvár, but its guest rooms are also available for cycle tours.
Fertőd Castle:
Fertőd came into the possession of the Esterházy family in the second half of the 17th century. They are also responsible for the impressive Esterházy castle, the most famous sight of the city. As leader of the family’s orchestra, Joseph Haydn Austrian composer lived here for two decades.