Egerbakta combines a focus on nature with specific historical details: the peat bog lakes of Egerbakta are considered a rare and protected natural feature, while the Church of St Catherine of Alexandria, with its building history and Rococo decorations, provides a second focal point. For planning a trip, you can choose from a nature trail, hiking routes and local history.

Peat bog lakes and nature conservation

The peat bog lakes of Egerbakta were placed under protection in 1978. The freely accessible nature trail “Baktató tanösvény” introduces the flora and fauna of the peat bog depressions and also explores the history of research and hypotheses about their formation. The conservation values of the surrounding Natura 2000 area are also among the trail’s topics.

The name “Egerbakta–Bátor környéki erdők” refers to the forests around Egerbakta and Bátor. The trail’s nature theme therefore extends beyond the peat bog depressions: in addition to habitats and species, it also covers the conservation values of the surrounding area. Visitors interested in how the landscape formed will also find hypotheses on the subject and insights into the history of research along the trail.

The trail and the three lakes

All three lakes can be circled along the Baktató tanösvény. Their visibility differs: the third lake, Felső-tó, can be seen, while the first two are heavily overgrown with vegetation. The loop therefore offers different impressions of the lakes rather than three similar stretches of shoreline.

The lakes are freely accessible and about a 20-minute walk from the village. The trail introducing them starts in front of the house at Tóvölgy u. 2 in Egerbakta. The approximate walking time and the specific starting address provide two practical reference points when planning a visit to the peat bog lakes.

Hikes around Egerbakta

The Egerbaktai Piros-túra offers a different scale: it starts in Egerbakta in the Heves-Borsod Hills and reaches the Bükk Mountains at Eger-Almár after 10 kilometres. This makes it possible to plan a walk to the peat bog lakes and a longer hike with a specified distance as separate outings. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Another natural feature along the hiking route to the peat bog lakes is the Öregtölgy. The tree is about a 20-minute walk from the village and is estimated to be around 700 years old. It is just under 25 metres tall and has a breast-height diameter of 625 centimetres. Alongside the peat bog lakes, it adds an individual natural feature described by its age and measurements to the nature-focused itinerary.

Church and rectory

Construction of the Roman Catholic Church of St Catherine of Alexandria began in 1773. Rococo stone vases, created by the Eger sculptor Antal Steinhauser in 1775, stand at the corners of its gable. The two dates highlight different aspects: one marks the start of construction, the other the creation of the sculptural gable decoration.

The rectory stands below the church hill. It is a listed building and a single-storey residential house from the late 18th century, built as a detached building or along the street line. The church and rectory complement the nature themes with two specific points of interest in the village’s architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Verpelét, Felsőtárkány, Egerszalók, Feldebrő, Egerszólát, Demjén, Kerecsend, Szarvaskő.

For the broader travel overview: Egri.