At Nyugati Kapu, you can combine nature study with a walk: the approximately ten-kilometre Várhegyi tanösvény starts at the Nyugati Kapu Oktató- és Látogatóközpont and returns along the same route. It showcases the natural and historical features of Várhegy. At the centre, the interactive exhibition “Karszt és Élővilága” presents the flora and fauna of Bükki Nemzeti Park, as well as the geological formation of the mountains. Check the centre’s current visitor information before travelling; it is also worth checking the trail’s current condition before setting out.
Wildlife and scenery around Felsőtárkány
At Egeresvölgyi Vadaspark, a pier-like terrace with a short ladder fitted with a handrail lets you observe the animals more closely. Information boards explain the species found there; the enclosure is home to various deer and mouflons. The municipality states that the park is open year-round. Check the local conditions before your visit.
Vöröskő-forrás, near Felsőtárkány, is an intermittently active karst spring on the slope of Vöröskő in the Bükk Mountains. It is typically active for two to three months each year, usually after the snowmelt; snowmelt and precipitation affect its flow. Its activity is therefore not tied to a fixed period.
The route to Vöröskő-forrás described here involves taking the Felsőtárkányi Állami Erdei Vasút to its terminus at Stimecz ház, then walking through Vöröskő-völgy. A 2021 municipal description states that the forest railway runs for five kilometres in Bükki Nemzeti Park and operates on a seasonal timetable. The railway is currently out of service due to renovation work. Check its current status with the operator before planning to use this connection.
Traditions and local history
Felsőtárkányi Tájház showcases local folk traditions and distinctive features of traditional dress. Historical objects and pictures illustrate rural life at the beginning of the 20th century. Visits are possible by prior arrangement; check availability with the operator. Several craft activities are also held there. Every year, Hagyományőrző Húsvét is celebrated at the Tájház: the local Hagyományőrző Néptáncegyüttes brings the rural Easter custom of “Locsolkodás” to life. For current festival dates, check municipal announcements.
The collection at Kardok Háza comprises 450 antique weapons, including 130 swords. It spans the period from antiquity to the end of the 1848 War of Independence. Visits here are also by prior arrangement; confirm access in advance. Bűnbánó Szent Magdolna-templom offers a different perspective on local history: the single-nave building combines late Baroque and early Neoclassical elements.
Festivals and regional context
Felsőtárkányi Rétesnapok is a two-day cultural and gastronomic festival. The 21st edition focused on the traditional preparation of the local savoury cottage-cheese strudel. Dates and programmes vary from year to year; check current municipal announcements for details.
In the wider destination of Heves, in the southern part of Heves County, lies the Hevesi Füves Puszták Landscape Protection Area. The 16,114-hectare protected area was designated in 1993. Following extensions in 2005 and 2008, it reached its current size.
Discover more destinations: Verpelét, Noszvaj, Kerecsend, Szarvaskő, Egerszalók, Erlau, Egerbakta, Maklár.
Back to the regional travel overview: Egri.
