Miskolc, or rather the area where Miskolc originated, was already inhabited in the Paleolithic, 70,000 years ago. Later, Celtic tribes settled here. Later Salvuian peoples and finally the Magyars. The ancestors of the current inhabitants. The Magyars have continued to develop the settlement into a modest city. From about 1200, the city took the name of Miskolc and slowly developed into the 4th largest city in Hungary. It is particularly known for its heavy industry and fortunately also for the beautiful nature reserves at a relatively short distance.

Two of those nature reserves are the Aggtelek National Park and Zemplén Mountains. This tour starts in Miskolc and seeks out the beautiful roads through these nature reserves as quickly as possible. You also have the opportunity to visit a number of sights such as castles and caves along the way.

Your morning starts at Avalon Resort & Spa, on the outskirts of Miskolc, in the suburb of Diósgyör. Before starting the route, you will drive through the city itself. You can refuel here and possibly do some shopping for a picnic along the route.

From Miskolc you drive towards the Northeast, where you soon go up the green hills towards the Zemplén Mountains. With a good view, you can see these mountains looming in the distance. The views slowly disappear and you enter a densely wooded area. And you and your bike are put to work: steadily you climb higher and higher into the mountains.
This mountain range extends over an area of 50 km long and 20 km wide and is known for its beautiful nature, with dense forests, green hills, clear streams and impressive rock formations. The mountain range is also rich in flora and fauna, including many protected plant and animal species. In addition, there are some historical sights in the mountains, such as the castles of Füzér, Boldogkő and Regéc.

After a first cup of coffee in the hamlet of Középhuta, you can visit Regéc Castle. The castle towers over the village. You can park your motorcycle at the bottom of the hill and start the hike up. The climb is steep, but the view from the top is more than worth it. You look out over the rolling hills of the mountains and feel one with nature.
The castle of Regéc dates from the 14th century and originally served as a defensive fortress. Later, the castle was converted into a noble residence and several renovations and extensions were carried out. During the Turkish occupation in the 16th century, the castle was destroyed, but it was restored in the 18th century.
Today, Regéc Castle is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the castle and view the restored rooms and towers, which are decorated with period furnishings and decorations. In addition, the castle houses a museum that provides information about the history and architecture of the castle and the region.

After getting back on the bike, the route continues west. You descend to the low plain. Relatively quiet roads lead you through vast fields of sunflowers, grain and vines. Finally you arrive in the Aggtelek National Park.
This park (UNESCO World Heritage) covers an area of approximately 200 km2 and is close to the Slovak border. It was established in 1985 to protect the special natural and cultural wealth of the area.
The park consists of a network of caves, gorges, valleys and mountains, and is one of the most important karst areas in Europe. The most famous part of the park is Baradla Cave, which is over 26 km long and one of the largest caves in Europe. The cave offers a spectacular underground experience with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
You can enter the cave from the north and south sides. First on your route you will come across the North entrance. This is usually the most quiet, so you can spend a relatively relaxed visit to the caves. Here you can also enjoy a delicious meal at the local restaurant (Tengerszem Szálló). Of course you can also visit the caves on the South side. This entrance is more touristy, therefore busier and at the same time more choice in eateries.

You follow the winding roads through the woods and - before you leave the Aggtelek National Park - you can visit one last special place: Rudapithecus lelőhely. This is an important archaeological site, where the remains of a prehistoric ape have been discovered. The discovery of the Rudapithecus fossils has helped to further our understanding of the evolution of primates and how they evolved into modern apes. This ape species lived about 10 million years ago, was about the size of a modern orangutan and had features of both apes and hominids.

Once back on the bike you realize that the day is well advanced. You continue your course to the South, towards Miskolc. The landscape changes again, the hills get lower and lower and through various villages you finally arrive in Diósgyőr. This time at Várkert étterem és panzió (Restaurant and B&B). Here you can – if you still have the energy – visit the castle of Diósgyőr. This medieval castle has a rich history and has survived many wars and sieges. Over the centuries, the castle was rebuilt several times, giving it different architectural styles and elements.
The castle has had many different functions over the years, from a royal residence to a prison and military base. The castle was finally abandoned in the 18th century and fell into disrepair. In the 20th century, Diósgyőr Castle was restored and rebuilt into a major tourist attraction.

After this walk you can choose to stay overnight at the B&B or drive back to the resort of your starting point, where you can immerse yourself in the various wellness activities.

Hopefully you will look back on a wonderful tour, where the combination of nature, culture and a bit of adventure has made this day an unforgettable experience.