Our hunting area is located on the Blue Trail and on the hiking trails of the Association for the Living Lake Balaton Highlands, which is popular with tourists on foot, on horseback and by bike.

On the thematic map of the Hunting Memorials of Veszprém County, Sümeg and its surroundings can also boast of several memorials! The map also includes a Farkas stone on the territory of our hunting company.

A sign in the forest of Ötvös reminds us of the wolf that was killed there on 5 December 1991. The monument was inaugurated in 1993 as part of a festive programme, with opening speeches by Dr. Endre Nagy, an African hunter, and Dr. Gyula Sáry, a local hunter and writer, and a mass celebrated by parish priest Albin Horváth.

We are proud that Veszprém County was the first in the country to have such a development.

The Somló hunting lodge is a 20-minute drive away.

The volcanic landscape of the Balaton highlandsanic witness mountains do not end in the Tapolca basin. A little further away is Somló, unique in every sense of the word, which at 432 metres rises southwards from the surrounding lowland plain.

The Somló dumplings are not grown here, but the once Somló hillsides, covered with somló, have become known as the smallest historical wine region in Hungary. Besides the fiery wines, there is plenty to discover here, which will make you fall in love even without the wine of wedding nights.

Lovers of nature, castles and photography, boot-wearing and gastro-tourists can discover the many wild natural treasures and built heritage of this lonely giant - basalt towers, springs, lookouts, chapels, press houses, wineries and the astonishing and impressive remains of the late castle in its ruins - on marked hiking trails, paths and dune paths.

We can't even begin to list the wonders of Somló that are worth visiting, but we've tried to put them all together - and if you can fit them all into one memorable trip, or not, the captivating charm of Somló will draw back those who have been here before and seen them all:

Somló Castle

The question ofin particular in theThe castle, built after the invasion, belonged to the Garai, Choron-Liszthy and Erdődy families, among others, and was also owned for a short time by Pál Kinizsi, but during the Rákóczi War of Independence it also served as a food and ammunition depot. Its military role ceased after the fall of the War of Independence, and its condition steadily deteriorated due to the weather. In 1735, the estate was returned to the Erdődy family, who held it until 1945.

The fortress stands on a separate basalt cone on the northern slope of the hill overlooking Doba, accessible by car from the north-east via the St. Martin's Wine Road, then on foot from the castle car park, or on foot from the south via the Kitaibel path from the Margaret Chapel, crossing the top of the hill. From the castle you have a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

The castle has been under development for tourism purposes within the framework of the National Castle Programme and the National Castle Programme, so it will be open to visitors only on a limited basis until next spring.

Kinizsi Rock
On the way from the castle car park towards the castle, you will come across Kinizsi Rock, a basalt rock with a saddle-shaped depression in the middle. Legend has it that Paul Kinizsi rested on this rock when he walked up to see the gift of the castle. Tired on the steep road, he sat down on the rock and it buckled under the heavy load.

St Stephen's Lookout and Cross
On the highest point of the Somló, there is the St. Stephen's Lookout, built of basalt rocks, from which you can see almost half of the Transdanubian region on a clear day, including the surrounding mountains: the Kőris Mountain, the Balaton-Highland witness mountains, the Ság Mountain, or even the distant ranges of the Alps. A buffet is available at the bottom of the building. In the wide clearing in front of the lookout, benches, tables and fireplaces are available for tourists.

At the southern edge of the clearing, on the occasion of the millennium year 2000, a huge cross, visible from the main road 8, and an unusual shaped statue of St Stephen commemorate the millennial Hungary.

The best way to reach the lookout is also via the St. Martin Wine Route and the Kitaibel trail.

Chapel of St Helena
On the south-western side of Somló, on the outskirts of Somlójenő, in the St. Ilona Wine Route, in the St. Ilona vineyard, on a small hill at an altitude of 230 metres, stands the chapel of St. Ilona with a slender tower (also called the Chapel of the Holy Cross). A document from 1399 already mentions the church named after the Holy Cross on the Jesen side. The cross stands next to the chapel, on which the golden body of Jesus is crucified.

Séd source
In addition to the St. Martin's spring on the eastern side of the mountain, the Séd spring on the western side of the Somló welcomes thirsty tourists. According to the chronicles, it was built in 1877 with the help of a civic collaboration, and was restored in its current form in 2013, also with the help of a community. On its wall you can read the following inscription:

QUENCH YOUR THIRST FOR MY BEAUTY! QUENCH YOUR THIRST FOR THE PERFECTION OF THE WORLD!

Treading well
About halfway between the chapels of St Margaret and St Ilona, in the middle of the southern side of the hill, is Hungary's only surviving industrial monument of this kind: the Taposókút. The 80-metre-deep 18th-century wooden well is unique in that it was used to tread water up to 1 hectolitre in diameter in a 3-metre drum, using gearwheel gears to bring it to the surface. In the past, such structures were often used in hill forts to supply water to fortifications.

Stone Kitchen Stone Hole
A natural grassland area has developed around the basalt towers, which is popularly known as the Stone Kitchen. The site is accessible only through a narrow opening and takes its name from its horn-like shape, open to the sky. The extremely steep Konyha area is home to the highest-lying vineyards, which give the grapes grown here special micro-climatic conditions that are reflected in the quality and price of the wines.

St Margaret's Chapel
The largest of the chapels on the hill, the Margaret Chapel on the south-south-eastern side of the hill, was built in Gothic style by the nuns of Veszprém during the reign of King Matthias. After the Turkish destruction, it was rebuilt in Baroque style in 1727.

The chapel quickly became a place of pilgrimage, thanks to its beautiful altarpiece of the Virgin of St Margaret of Antioch, but it was also a favourite place for women praying for the blessing of children.

In front of the church, a memorial park preserves the memory of an old lime tree, which was struck by lightning in 1983 and is several hundred years old, and its young shoots.

Chapel of St John the Baptist
Next to the Margaret Chapel is a smaller open chapel named after St John the Baptist. The former inscription reads.

Kitaibel Nature Trail
Since 1993, the Somló Hill and its surroundings have been protected as a Special Protection Area. The natural values and the historical and cultural heritage of the mountain are presented on the 3 km long trail named after the botanist Pál Kitaibel (1757-1817), which has 9 stations and starts at the Margaret Chapel on the southern side of the mountain, passing the Hegykapu Guesthouse. Route. The tourist coming from Doba can join the trail at the Kinizsi rock.

St Martin's Chapel and St Martin's Spring
The chapel of St Martin of Tours, built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style on the eastern (Doba) side of the hill at an altitude of 215 m above sea level, is mentioned in documents dating back to 1309. It was probably also built by the nuns of vásárhely. It was originally built without a tower, and the tower was added much later. A late Baroque extension was added in the 18th century. It probably served as the chapel of the Somló castle. This is suggested by its proximity to the castle, the fact that there was no chapel in the castle and, last but not least, the fact that the three-year rule of the Turks was preserved by a crescent moon on the tower until recent times. This was knocked down during the renovation in the 20th century.

Next to the chapel is St Martin's Spring, once a watering pool with plenty of water.

Rompincék
Vine growing and wine making took place on the top of the Somló hill until the 1980s. The regulation of the landscape protection area in the 1980s made it impossible to maintain these plantations and the small, simple, two-room press houses built in the ground of local stone and with a roof of stakes, which slowly fell into disuse. At the beginning of the 2010s, on the initiative of a group of citizens, the foundations of the old buildings were made visible again to show visitors the old press houses, the Somló Rompincék, after 50 years.

Spiegelberg-borterasz
One of the most beautifully situated open-air wine terraces is located right next to the Margaret Chapel, from where you can enjoy excellent Somló wines and a breathtaking view of the southern slope of the mountain, beyond to Somlóvásárhely and further afield to the Balaton Highlands.

Basalt Borteras
Right at the end of the driveway to the castle, near the castle car park, you will find the Bazalt Borteras, where you can enjoy locally baked strudel, langallo or rich cheese platters and, of course, Somló wines, while admiring the view of the plain and its settlements on the northern slope of the mountain and beyond.

Inhauser Fröccsterasz
On the north-western slope of Somló you can find the Inhauser Winery's fröccsterasza, where you can enjoy the exceptional panorama, especially in warm weather, accompanied by real gastronomic specialities and ice-cold fröccs made from Somló wine.

Stone Kitchen Borteras
The wine terrace of the widely known Barcza Winery, located at the foot of the Kőkonyha, offers a unique view of the southern side of the mountain, with Somló sheep's bark and Furmint wines, and a view all the way to Lake Balaton in clear weather.

Mountain Gate Restaurant
On the southern side of Somló, along the road leading from the main road 8, you will find the Hegykapu Restaurant, which with its Hungarian dishes and Somló wine list is the perfect starting or end point for excursions.

Basalt orgones
At the top of the southern slope of Somló, like many other witness hills in the Balaton uplands, there are columnar remnants of lava flows eroded during volcanic activity, commonly known as basalt towers.

Source: https://csodalatosmagyarorszag.hu/hirek/bor-gasztronomia/somlo-fedezd-fel-a-maganyos-tanuhegy-csodait-osszel/

Sümeg is a 15-minute drive from our hunting lodge.

Sümeg has many sights, the most famous of which is definitely the castle. This is no wonder, as it is a beautiful castle that has remained relatively intact. Its beauty is also enhanced by the fact that it is built on a high hilltop overlooking a largely flat area, so it is easy to spot from afar, rising like a sentinel.
The construction of the castle began in 1262 and lasted for many years and ages, finally being completed in the 17th century. Like many other castles, it has had an adventurous history, passing through many hands and finally - not uncommon when it comes to castles - being burnt down. It stood unused for many years until it was finally excavated in 1957 by the Hungarian Historic Monument Protection and restoration work began. To this day, the castle is still undergoing ongoing reconstruction, while it is of course open to the public and offers a wide range of activities.
Among these, we would highlight the Historical Experience Park, which shows the everyday life of medieval Vár, the life here, the sieges and the battles. You can see exhibits of war machines such as the siege tower, the spear thrower and the stone-throwing machine. There is also a period Turkish siege camp, which takes us back to the time of the conquest and shows us the daily life and customs of the besiegers. There is also a historical play park where children can role-play the history of the castle, or get involved with climbing walls and play castles.
The castle is a must-see in Sümeg, but we would like to contradict the misconception that Sümeg is "just a castle", and would like to introduce you to some of the interesting things in Sümeg that not everyone may have heard of or may not think of visiting if they are in the area.

Africarium
In the heart of the city is this very special facility, a private collection of African trophies owned by a hunter. The collection aims to give a realistic representation of African wildlife. With more than 220 specimens on display, sound effects specific to the continent's wildlife and a beautifully painted backdrop created by the experts at the Balaton Museum, it is easy to feel like you are in the African wilderness.

The birthplace of Sándor Kisfaludy
Did you know? Sándor Kisfaludy, one of the great figures of Hungarian poetry, was born and died here. The building was built at the end of the 17th century, and Kisfaludy's father owned it at the end of the 18th century.
Today, the building is a museum, displaying the poet's manuscripts and personal objects, but also other exhibitions on other subjects. The local history and ecclesiastical art collections, fine art exhibitions and an exhibition of folk ceramics from Sümeg can also be seen.

Ramassetter Visitor Centre
The Ramassetter House is a prominent architectural and spiritual heritage site of the town of Sümeg, located in the tourist area of the town centre, along the tourist axis connecting the Parish Church with the Franciscan Church. The listed building, the birthplace of the town's famous mayor and patron, was originally built in Baroque style but was later restored and rebuilt in the eclectic style in the second half of the 19th century.

Visitors are welcome to the renewed building, the Visitor Centre, with exciting, interactive, multifunctional spaces, tools, artefacts of the Ramassetter cult - wine production, blue painting, pottery collection and the Sümegfoglaló online game with a city walk.

White-stones
The "white-stones is a nature reserve. You can reach it from Sümeg on the road 84, if you are heading towards Csabrendek, after a while you leave the road towards Öreg-hegy and after the old quarry turn right.
If you continue along this path, you may suddenly notice white stones looming overhead. These rocks are giant limestone walls that were formed in the Cretaceous period, when the area was a shallow, warm-water sea. At that time, there were many shells living in the area, which form the layers of the White Stones.
The area is criss-crossed by a number of hiking trails, so it's worth hitting the road if you're passing through.

Bishop's Palace
The Baroque bishop's palace at the foot of the castle hill is back to its former beauty. A new exhibition in the building tells the story of the 18th century through the life of its builder, Bishop Márton Padányi Biró, as his biography tells a richly layered story of the Baroque world. The bishop's life, full of glory, art, works of art, controversy and failure, gives a comprehensive picture of the period. The story of Padányi, who created the 'silent sermon' fresco cycle in Sümeg, is told alongside that of the 'star rococo painter' Franz Anton Maulbertsch, the Viennese artist who created it. The focus of the exhibition is this fresco in the parish church of Sümeg. The colourful murals show elements of the earthly and the otherworldly at the same time. In the palace, the two protagonists - the bishop and the painter - are personified in the most intimate detail, sometimes in a striking, sometimes in a startling, contemporary way. The palace also opens up hidden corners, secret rooms and disguised doors. The largest Rococo stove in the country can be seen upstairs, but the richly decorated library room, which houses Padányi's portrait and displays the sciences, is also a true curiosity in art history. Throughout the exhibition, visitors can enjoy further Baroque and Rococo experiences in the renewed Bishop's Palace in Sümeg.

Sarvalyi Source
If you fancy a little hiking, this is the place for you.
Starting from Sümeg, heading south along the blue trail, we arrive at the Sarvalyi forest.
The forest is a great place for a pleasant hike, and you can take a break and have a meal at the picnic areas and bacon grills.
The spring house, built in 1824, is a curiosity, from whose cooling waters hikers can draw new strength.

Darvasto bauxite lentils
This is a real curiosity. The reddish rock walls draw the eye to the mountainside from afar. This is a very fragile natural treasure, which will soon lose its current shape due to the natural action of wind and water and the external excavation.

Further information, tourist recommendations, current programmes, city card information: