Törökbálint is not the end of the world, but if you’re planning to go there by bike and the lovely lake on the outskirts of Budapest, you’ve a serious task ahead of you. The road is long, winding in places, and there is only a short section of the Budapest-Balaton cycle path. But, despite all the difficulties and inconveniences, it is well worth the energy invested. Here are a few tips!
Setting off in Újbuda
Törökbálint
can be easily reached by car, train or bus, but the situation is
quite different by bike. It
is worth planning this route so you don’t get lost. In the first
round, you
should aim for
Kamaraerdő
on
the edge of Újbuda.
You
can also
take
your
bicycle on tram
41,
boarding at Clark Ádám tér, say, or Gellért tér.
From Kelenföld station there is a bike path towards
Budaörs, but you
can also take
Kőérberki út to
reach the
Budapest side
of Kamaraerdő.
Freewheeling in Kamaraerdő
Kamaraerdő is a popular excursion destination consisting of two parts, Budapest and Budaörs. Kamaraerdei út heads from one to the other, partly joining the Budapest-Balaton bike path which is still under construction, a relief after the bumpy, gravel dirt roads and the less well-paved concrete ones. It is almost mirror-smooth and you can finally glide freely again.
At this point in the tour, you can make a pleasant diversion to Törökbálint-Pistály, a little community just outside Törökbálint, or head straight for the lake.
Lake Törökbálint
Cycling around Törökbálint is hampered by the fact that the town is hilly, so there are a couple of climbs involved. Alternatively, you can head straight for the lake, which is on the edge of town. The road takes you past a roundabout and a shopping mall right to the shore. Lake Törökbálint stretches over seven hectares of lovely landscape, ideal for strolling or cycling. You can’t go round the whole lake, but most of it.
The northern shore of the lake is for anglers, a dirt road running alongside it, with the M1 motorway parallel. Luckily, trees and bushes separate the sight of rushing traffic from the water. You’ll hear the cars but not see them.
On the built-up south side, there are cycle and walking paths beside each other, with plenty of grassy spots suitable for picnics, and rubbish bins provided. If you don’t want to lie on the grass, a few benches line the promenade. Lake Törökbálint and are quiet – you can sit on the shore with a book or just your thoughts, recharging by the water.
Next to the lake stands the abandoned Tópark, a housing estate that didn’t quite catch on. Although there are cafés, shops and a scattering of residents, it still feels like a secluded resort village on the oceanfront, just waiting for the right filmmaker to discover.
Having cycled all the way to Törökbálint, you deserve an easy ride home. Törökbálint station is ten minutes from the lake, with regular trains to Kelenföld and Déli stations, journey time 20-25 minutes.
