Explore the treasures of the primeval forest near Sárvár by bike!

The largest contiguous forest area of Vas county is located just a few kilometres from our apartment park, next to the main road 84 connecting Sárvár with Lake Balaton. You can discover the many interesting facts and legends of the former royal estate on a 50 km hiking tour. From the Scherg-Lőrinc lookout, 15 kilometres from both Sárvár and Sitke, you can admire the magical views of Kemeneshat and Kemenesalja, with iconic volcanic mountains such as Ság Hill, Somló, famous for its wines, and Kis-Somlyó. You can start your hike either from Gérce or from Sitka, following the Mária- Úút, which passes our guesthouses, towards Mesteri and then turning down towards Vásárosmiske. The area of the Farkas forest between Káld and Gérce is a really good place for a hike, either with a forest picnic or a barbecue.

The first place to visit after Káld is the Lőrinc Scherg Lookout, after passing the Köcski bell tower on the main road 84. The building, reminiscent of the bell towers of Vas Vas, rises 202 m above the countryside. The panorama is stunning, as it reveals the beauty of a part of Hungary that has barely been explored by tourists. Lőrinc Scherg was the Bavarian forester commissioned by King Louis III of Bavaria at the end of the 19th century to restore the forest, which at the time looked a depressing sight. The enthusiastic forest engineer did a perfect job and his final resting place is in his beloved forest.

From the lookout, the 250-year-old Avasi old oak is one of the many Banya trees in the forest. Leaving the Lajos Beech, a favourite hiking spot of the Bavarian King, and the ‘Royal Stone Bench’, you arrive at the wooden shrine, which fell in 1995 and is a striking sight even in its decay. It doesn’t take much imagination to picture the witches of Sárvár and the surrounding area flocking around it on Witches’ Sabbaths. Like its companions, the old oak is called “witch tree” because of this legend.

Throughout its nearly 800 years of history, the forest has not only been enriched with natural treasures and legends, but also with mementos of special human stories that lurk in the shadows of its trees. László Molnár was the most successful pilot of the Hungarian Air Force in World War I until his death. His plane was shot down over the Wolf Forest, and although he ejected, he was hit by several fatal shots. A memorial cross was erected in honour of the hero at the place where he was found by local people. From here, you will reach the furthest point of your tour from Sárvár and your apartments, via the Chapel of Our Lady of Káld-hidegkút. The lines of this small building of impressive beauty are inspired by the work of the famous Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz. Leaving the chapel, we soon arrived at the Maria Theresa Spring, also known as the Thrace Spring, named not after the famous Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg, but after her great-granddaughter, the former owner of the forest, Archduchess Maria Theresa Dorottya Henrietta of Habsburg. The immediate vicinity of the well was the first nature reserve in Vas County, where a 100-year-old cork pine, planted by order of Queen Maria Theresa Dorottya Henrietta, still stands. The Douglas fir is one of the tallest trees in the world, the tallest being 127 m tall and having fallen at the age of 1030.

From the Mária Terézia spring, the hike continues back towards the entrance of the Farkas forest, closer to Sárvár. You will again pass by the Chapel of the Assumption of Our Lady and then you will be accompanied by the 120 years of undisturbed landscape of the Iron County Primeval Forest until you reach the Banyafai hiking site. They arrive at the new Banyafai of the Farkas forest, where the Gombaismereti trail from the Rózsáskerti hiking site ends. Following the trail, they arrived at the National Blue Trail. The Rózsáskerti forester’s house and hiking site is located next to the gate announcing the entrance to the forest closer to Sárvár. Here a shelter, fireplaces and forest furniture are provided for the comfort of hikers. Not far from here lies the forest’s saviour, forester Lőrinc Scherg, whose tomb can also be visited.

To reach the special guesthouses of the Colonia Natura Apartment Park, you only have to drive a few kilometres through Gérce, leaving the village and the view is framed by Mount Ság and the surrounding small hills, as well as the tufa ring of Mount Hercseg. This landscape also provides the perfect backdrop for the twilight photos at the end of the day. And if you still feel up to a detour to Sárvár, there is a cycle path from Gérce along the main road 84 to the Sárvár Spa and Wellness Centre.