Hortobágy

National Park Hortobágy - The Puszta is a first and biggest national park in Hungary. The park in Hajdú-Bihar County is a part of the Northern Great Plain (Alföld), and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Understand

Buffaloes and egrets in the national park

1 Tourinform Hortobágy (Hortobágy National Park Visitor Centre, Hortobágy Nemzeti Park Látogatóközpont és Kézművesudvar), Hortobágy village, Petőfi tér 13, ☏ +36 52 589321, +36 52 589000, +36 52 369140, hortobagy@tourinform.hu. Jan-Dec closed; Mar-Apr Nov: M-F 08:00-16:00. May Oct: M-F 08:00-16:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00. Jun: M-F 08:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Jul Aug: M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa-Su 10:00-18:00. Sep: M-F 08:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. Tourist information, souvenirs. Exhibition about the flora and fauna of the national park. Conference room for 90 people, meeting rooms. Field study education room, playground. Craftsmen's workshops. +E-mail: info@hnp.hu. (updated Jul 2014)

History

Hortobágy (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈhortobaːɟ]) is an 800 km2 national park in eastern Hungary, rich with folklore and cultural history. The park, a part of the Alföld (Great Plain), was designated as a national park in 1973 (the first in Hungary), and elected among the World Heritage Sites in 1999. The Hortobágy is Hungary's largest protected area, and the largest semi-natural grassland in Europe

Landscape

The Hortobágy landscape is defined by its flat, treeless expanse, with seemingly endless views of open steppe that stretch out to the horizon. This lowland area is largely shaped by the natural processes of flooding, wind, and human interaction over millennia. The puszta is a floodplain of the Tisza River, and historically, seasonal flooding shaped its terrain, creating a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and marshes. These ecosystems, although altered by modern agricultural practices, still reflect the ancient character of the region.

The soil of the Hortobágy is primarily composed of loess and clay, and due to the high salt content in certain areas, some parts of the landscape are classified as saline steppes. These saline areas are particularly interesting ecologically, as they support a range of salt-tolerant plants that have adapted to the harsh conditions. Species such as sea lavender (Limonium gmelini), saltwort (Salsola soda), and glasswort (Salicornia europaea) are commonly found in these saline grasslands, giving the landscape a distinctive appearance, especially during the flowering season.

Despite the predominance of grassland, Hortobágy is also known for its extensive wetlands. In the past, the Tisza River frequently flooded the region, creating temporary lakes, marshes, and wetlands that were crucial for both wildlife and human activity. Today, these wetlands are managed and maintained to preserve their ecological function, supporting a wide variety of waterfowl and other species.

The most significant wetland areas within the park are found around the Hortobágy Fishponds, a series of artificial ponds created in the 20th century that have become one of the most important bird habitats in Europe. The ponds provide crucial feeding and resting grounds for migratory birds traveling along the East Atlantic Flyway. Species such as the Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), great white egret (Ardea alba), and glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) are commonly observed here.

The rivers and wetlands also support diverse aquatic ecosystems. Reeds and bulrushes dominate the vegetation around the water bodies, creating an ideal environment for amphibians, reptiles, and fish species. The wetlands are particularly important for breeding bird populations, and large colonies of herons, storks, and cranes can often be seen throughout the year

Flora and fauna

The Park is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, particularly its birdlife. The park is a globally important birdwatching destination, attracting ornithologists from around the world. More than 340 species of birds have been recorded in the park, with many using the area as a stopover on their migratory routes or as breeding grounds.

One of the most iconic species associated with Hortobágy is the common crane (Grus grus). Every autumn, tens of thousands of cranes descend upon the park during their migration from Northern Europe to Africa. The sight of these majestic birds filling the sky is one of the most famous natural spectacles in Hungary. The park’s wide-open spaces provide the cranes with ideal conditions for resting and foraging during their long journey.

In addition to cranes, Hortobágy is home to several other notable bird species. The endangered great bustard (Otis tarda), one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, inhabits the grasslands, where it performs its elaborate mating display during the breeding season. The region is also important for raptors, including species such as the saker falcon (Falco cherrug), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), and red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), all of which breed within the park.

Beyond birds, the grasslands and wetlands support a variety of mammals, including European hares, wild boars, and various small rodents that are crucial for the survival of the park’s predator species. The reintroduction of the Hungarian grey cattle, Racka sheep, and Nonius horses, traditional breeds linked to the region's pastoral culture, has also contributed to maintaining the traditional grazing practices essential for the landscape’s biodiversity.

Hortobágy is also a center for the breeding of Taurus cattle, one of several attempts to re-create the extinct aurochs

Climate

Hortobágy Park experiences a continental climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F), while winters see temperatures dropping below freezing, with an average of -2°C to -5°C (28°F to 23°F). The region receives moderate annual rainfall, around 500-600 mm, with most precipitation occurring in spring and early summer. Due to its flat landscape, Hortobágy is prone to frequent winds, which can create dusty conditions during drier months. The climate plays a crucial role in shaping the park's unique grassland ecosystem, supporting both wetlands and arid plains.

Get in

By bus

There are about six-eight buses per day from Debrecen, a 40-minute trip.

By car

From Tiszafüred or Debrecen take the national road 33.

Fees and permits

Admission free.

Get around

The Fishery Railway Hortobágy (Hungarian: Hortobágy-halastavi Kisvasút) is a narrow gauge railway with a gauge of 760 mm (2 ft 5+15⁄16 in) at the fish ponds near Hortobágy in Hungary. Since 2007, the railway is used as a tourist train. A one-way trip lasts 23 min

• 1 Hortobágy-fishpond Light Railway. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Hortobágy-fishpond Light Railway, fishpond. (updated Jul 2024)

See

• 1 Nine-Arch bridge. One of the most beloved photographic subjects in the park. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Fishpond. Small pond in the middle of the park. (updated Jul 2018)
• Hortobágy Stud. (updated Jul 2018)
• Windmill Karcag. (updated Jul 2018)
• 3 Shepperds museum (Hortobágyi Pásztormúzeum), 1 Petőfi tér, ☏ +36 52 369 040. Mar 12-Mar 31, Apr, Oct-Nov: Tu-Su 10:00-16:00; May-Jun, Sep: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00; Jul-Aug: daily 09:00-18:00; Nov 1, Dec 1-Jan 11 closed. Adult Ft 2900; children, student, pensioner Ft 1500/person; family (2 adults, 1 or 2 children) Ft 6900. (updated Jul 2024)
• 4 T-34 tank (Hortobágyi tankcsata emlékműve) (On the side of route 33). Hortobágyi World War II tank battle memorial (updated Aug 2024)

Do

• 1 Mátai Ménes Puszta Carriage Tour, Mátai Ménes, Nyerges Café, 4071 Hortobágy Máta major 48 (parking lot at the Saddle Café and at the Office building.), ☏ +36 70 492 7655, mataimenes@hortobagy.eu. Mar-Oct: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00; May-Sep also 16:00. Starting from the Nyerges espresso of the Mátai Mátai Máta, the program leads to the interior of the puszta in the echoes of nóniu horses. Those who arrive can get to know the native Hungarian pets, their keeping, breeding, the world of the shepherds guarding them, the sachets that are loud with the whip with the rings and can admire the sight of the indefinite. After the program is complete, you can take a walk in the stallion’s stables, you can check in K. József Nagy, a potter from Nádaudvar, from whom the tricks of making black ceramics can be learned. Before or after the Pusztai carriage, you can visit the Nyerges espresso in the area of the stud for a refreshment or coffee, where it is a real curiosity to gain insight into the everyday life of the central stable of the stud through a glass wall. An interactive exhibition of the history of the museum awaits our visitors. Adult Ft 4000, children Ft 2500. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Puszta Animal Park (Pusztai allatpark), 4071 Hortobágy, Tornyi Hill 1, ☏ +36 52 701 037. W-Su 09:00-18:00. farm animals zoo Ft 700, child Ft 500. (updated Aug 2024)

Viewpoints

Locate them on the map

• 3 Nine hole bridge viewpoint. (updated Aug 2024)
• 4 Függőcinege torony. bird hide tower (updated Aug 2024)
• 5 Madárles. bird hide tower (updated Aug 2024)
• 6 XI-es torony. viewpoint (updated Aug 2024)
• 7 Kungyörgyi torony (Pre-registration needed. Contact with HNP Visitor Cente). bird hide tower (updated Aug 2024)
• 8 Hortobágy-Faluhídvég észlelőhely. astronomy observatory (updated Aug 2024)
• 9 amatőrcsillagász észlelőhely, Hortobágy, Halstavak (7,1mn darksky). astronomy observatory (updated Aug 2024)

Cycling

• The Eurovelo 14 (Waters of Central Europe) crosses the north part of the park via the road 3316

Buy

Black Pottery

• 1 K. József Nagy. potter from Nádaudvar, from whom the tricks of making black ceramics can be learned (updated Jul 2024)

Eat

• 1 Hortobágy Csárda, Hortobágy, Petőfi tér 1 (easy parking on the street), ☏ +36 52 589-338, +36 52 589-010. 11:00 to 21:00. The famous Hortobágyi Csárda, built at the foot of the Nine-hole Bridge, is unmissable. It was built along the Salút in 1699, next to the tax collector and post office at the Hortobágy River. The most famous, largest inn of the Great Plain and the oldest building of Hortobágy, which, as in the past, still serves the needs of travellers and tourists. (updated Jul 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Ecotour Camping Cottage Hotel Hortobágy (Ökotúra Vendégház és Kemping), 4071 Hortobágy, next to main road No. 33 at the 74th kilometre, ☏ +36 30 206 9770, +36 52 369 075. rooms from Ft 24,000/night,. (updated Aug 2024)