Tour Description: The geotour starts from Zalaszántó at one of the most beautiful Árpád-era churches in the Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Geopark. We walk past traditional houses into the Tátika forest, climb past Iron Age burial mounds to the ancient beech forest hiding the Black Lake and the former Iron Age earthwork. The highlight is the medieval Tátika castle ruins. We descend to Hidegkúti farm, then stroll back to Zalaszántó through the royal burial mounds.
Tour Leaders:
- Dr. Szilárd Szentes (Geotour Leader, Túrafalók Association)
- Phone: +36 30 507 5706
- Email: szentes.tura@gmail.com
- Bálint Havasi (Archaeologist, Zalaegerszeg Museums Directorate)
- Phone: +36 30 372 1370
- Email: balint.havasi@zmmi.hu
Geotour Route: Zalaszántó (St. Cosmas and Damian Church) – Burial Mounds – Lower Tátika (prehistoric earthwork and ancient beech forest) – Tátika Castle Ruins – Hidegkúti Farm – Castle Meadow (royal burial mounds) – Zalaszántó (Tátika Pub)
Distance and Difficulty: 14 km, medium difficulty
Duration: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (6 hours total)
Meeting Point: Zalaszántó, St. Cosmas and Damian Church
Participation Fee:
- Adults: 3000 HUF
- Children (under 18): 1500 HUF
Payment: Online by bank card or cash before the tour. If paying by cash, please confirm participation at +36 30 372 1370 or balint.havasi@zmmi.hu.
Good to Know:
- Dog-friendly tour
- Bus from Keszthely at 8:30 AM (Route 6315), arrives at Zalaszántó school stop at 9:15 AM.
- Return bus to Keszthely at 3:56 PM (Route 6395), arrives at 4:35 PM.
- More info: www.menetrendek.hu
- Parking available at St. Cosmas and Damian Church.
Detailed Description: For a detailed description with experiences and photos, visit: A halomsíroktól a fellegvárig – Geotúra a Tátika-várhoz – KULToUR-Vidék.
