Hortobágy National Park, Hungary’s first national park, created in 1973, protects the puszta, a vast steppe listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its millennia-old traditional pastoral system.
A steppe crossing between herds and canals
From the village of Hortobágy, dirt tracks head into the steppe toward Tiszafüred, running alongside grazing areas still home to Hungarian Grey cattle and spiral-horned Racka sheep. Expect around 35 km and barely 50 m of elevation gain for a loop representative of the park, on terrain that’s almost entirely flat, typical of the Great Hungarian Plain.
Getting the ride right
Versatile gravel tyres around 38-42mm suit most of the park’s dirt tracks. The near-total lack of relief makes for a ride accessible to cyclists of all levels, the main challenge being exposure to wind and sun on this open steppe.
When to go
April to October, as summer can bring fairly intense dry heat to this shelterless plain. Spring and autumn, migration season for many birds, also offer fine birdwatching opportunities.
Good to know
Hortobágy offers limited but sufficient accommodation, with convenient access to Debrecen, Hungary’s second city about forty minutes away, for combining the ride with an urban visit.
