Loczy Nature Trail - Tihany

The starting point is at the Apati church ruins next to Sajkod leading on over the Apati-hill, the Nyereg-hill and Csucs-hill into the Sarkadi-forest, and then via the Geyser field and the Golden house to the ancient settlement. From there the trail leads along the Kiserdoteto - Ovar - Baratlakasok route to the Tihany harbour.
There are 7 stops along the trail each attached to a noteworthy place, detailed information about these places can be found here.

Apati-hill
On the eastern side the surface level drops via steep basalt-tufa cliffs to the mark of the destruction caused by the wind. An unforgettable experience is offered by the view to inside the peninsula, the Outer lake, the Inner lake, the ancient village, and in the distant background lies Balatonfured. On the North side indicating the site of the former Apati settlement are the Apati church ruins. The Apati-hill provides one of the most valuable habitats on the peninsula. On the top of the hill a whole line of Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean plants grow. There is the prickly lucerne, several species of feather-grass along with the dwarf iris.

Nyereg-hill
The Nyereg-hill is a narrow cliff ridge connecting the Csucs-hill to the Apati-hill, offering a wonderful view of the Balaton Uplands, towards the southern basin of the Balaton and Bozsai-bay in one direction and the inside of the peninsula in the other. This wedge shaped side is one of the most valuable geological formations of the peninsula. The shape of the capriciously creased limestone sheets is the result of former movement of water and the Earth's crust.

Csucs-hill
As a result of post volcanic action a whole row of geyser cones were formed on the peninsula, one such peak is the Csucs-hill. The flue deepened by the spring cone and hot water bubbling up from the deep can be seen even today from the highest point of the peninsula (235 m). Folklore has it that the spring cave on the western side was once used by the famous outlaw of the Bakony hills, Joska Sobri.

The Sarkadi-forest
Most of the hills on the rim of the peninsula are covered by forests, the most beautiful of these lies on the south-western side and is called Sarkadi-forest. One of the main species of tree is the oak, containing some Downy oak, Flowering ash, Field maple and Smoothleaf elm. Some special oaks grow here like the Italian oak.
Characteristic members of the wildlife in the Sarkadi-forest are the great capricorn beetle, the stag-beetle, the Smooth Newt and Common Eurasian Spadefoot. The Aesculapian snake is common amongst reptiles; the birds are represented by the Black Woodpecker, the Green Woodpecker, the Grey Headed Woodpecker, the Sparrowhawk (a daytime bird of prey), and the Tawny Owl (a night-time bird of prey which is a real rarity in the south).

The Geyser field and the Golden house
The Geyser field stretching out between the Sarkadi-forest and the Inner lake was formed in the forth geological era, three million years ago. After the basalt volcanic activity during the volcanic post-activity which followed, boiling water gushed out over the surface. The hot water springs, similar to those currently active in Iceland - came to the surface in the form of temporary geysers. Mud containing lime and silicic acid precipitated from the boiling water and the hot water lakes, gradually forming a solid rock (hydroquartz). Depending on the activity of the geyser and the movement of water and the Earth's crust the geyserite hardened in a mass, in layered creased formation, bringing about 100-150 geyser cones of various sizes. Only 50 of these are visible today. The largest one is the Golden house ('Aranyhaz') geyser cone, which got its name from the masses of yellow and green lichen growing on it.
From the top of the geyser cone looking towards the Inner lake and the ancient settlement a beautiful view awaits visitors, whilst at the foot of the cone an old wine cellar housing a stone exhibition can be seen.