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Bike tours from Zánka and Balatonkeresztúr

Cycling tour (1) from Zánka to Balatonföldvar

This time we left at the parking lot at the beach kiosk in Zánka, towards Tihany, for a bike ride to Balatonföldvar on the other side (south side) of the lake.

The first part through Zánka ran through – again – entire streets with empty and for sale holiday homes.

Almond plantations and cemetery

But gradually the landscape changed completely and we drove past vast fields and almond plantations.

On the way we also passed a cemetery for Reformed and Roman Catholics.

Some tombstones date from the nineteenth century; some even have a curious heart shape. Why they don’t know..

Then followed a particularly tough climb over the hill of Tihany.

But once over that, we flew down, as it were, drove along the inland lake of Tihany and finally arrived at the ferry.

We took the ferry and cycled on the other side (the bottom of the lake) a little further to Balatonföldvár.

On the south side you do have free access to the water.

Here and there we saw people paddling, although they were still only up to their waists in water a hundred meters away.

Atmosphere south of Lake Balaton is clearly different from the north side

By the way, there was a completely different atmosphere here than on the north side of the lake: fewer individual holiday homes, more hotels, larger tourist complexes.

The cycling itself was also much more comfortable, on good cycle paths and roads, albeit in built-up areas, but still quiet.

For the way back we chose a different route after we took the ferry back.

Tihany

This time we didn’t take the ascending road towards Tihany, but kept to the right and cycled all the way around the hill, on a cycle path along the lake, with constantly beautiful views of the bay.

Tip: In our opinion, this is a route that you should definitely cycle: from the ferry from Tihany to the intersection towards Balatonfüred, along the bay.

Lavender fields

Towards Keszthely you pass several lavender fields. Although the lavender had already finished flowering, such a field still has something attractive.

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Cycling tour (2) from Balatonkeresztúr to Balatonlelle

Another bike ride that is very doable and sometimes even runs right along the lake is the one from Balatonkeresztúr to Balatonlelle, both on the south side of the lake.

Here too we saw much more commercial activity and people than on the north side.

That’s exactly why it felt a bit more cozy.

Apparently there was a large garbage collection scheduled that day.

Mountains of stuff were on the sidewalk and flea traders moved through the streets, hoping to buy something useful.

In Belgium, you have to bring your junk to the container park yourself. And pay for it too.

Here we also had the most beautiful view of the lake. Birdwatchers with binoculars and expensive photo equipment were chatting with each other.

In short, Lake Balaton has several faces.

At the top of the lake you have vineyards, volcanic mountains, old holiday homes, and small drink stalls.

At the bottom are hotels, many more inhabited holiday homes and much more intensive tourism.

And you can discover exactly such things up close by bike.

Next page: 10 days at Lake Balaton: what is there to do?