Bulhary lies in the northern part of the Cerová vrchovina and combines geological features with natural and cultural heritage. The trails to Veľký Bučeň, the nearby Kerčík protected area and historical traces in the village offer specific points of interest to help you plan. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Bulhary, these themes can help you shape your travel plans: landscapes and nature, or architecture and local history.
Geology and Nature Around Bulhary
Bulhary lies in the headwaters of a left-bank tributary of the Suchá stream. The area consists of sandstone and claystone, with remnants of basalt lava flows emerging from them; beech, oak and black locust forests shape the woodland. West of Bulhary, on the northwestern edge of the Cerová vrchovina, is the active Kameňolom Bulhary quarry, where basalt and gravel are extracted. Cavities in the basalt contain green olivine, aragonite, opal and zeolites.
The Kerčík Nature Reserve lies nearby, between Bulhary and Šávoľ, on an isolated basalt outcrop. It protects an abundant population of the Bohemian pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis ssp. bohemica Skalický) in steppe-like, warmth-loving plant communities. Veľký Bučeň is one of the table mountains of the Cerová vrchovina, stands 514 m high and forms the highest slope in the northern part of the mountain range.
Compare Routes to Veľký Bučeň
Two routes to Veľký Bučeň are described differently. An 9 km paved road leads there and is also a red-marked cycling route; it starts at Fiľakovo main railway station. A 2021 route description also mentions an approximately 9.5 km yellow-marked hiking trail along the Fiľakovské skaly. It offers another way to reach Veľký Bučeň and passes through hills formed by Neogene basalt volcanism. According to the stated distances, the yellow hiking trail is about half a kilometre longer; the main differences when choosing are the type of route and its markings. Check current trail conditions and markings before setting out. At the summit there are a hunting stand and an information board; check the condition of these facilities before your visit.
Chapel and the Memory of the “Kráľ stromov”
The Kaplnka Všetkých svätých in Bulhary is a Neoclassical chapel built in 1849 and restored in 1893. Inside is a folk-crafted Late Baroque altar dating from around 1800. The altar and building thus bring together different historical periods: the altar is Late Baroque, the chapel is Neoclassical, and 1893 marks a later restoration.
The former “Kráľ stromov” in Bulhary was an 800-year-old oak; it no longer survives at the site. A cross-section of the oak is held at the Fiľakovo Town Museum. If you would like to see it, check in advance whether it is currently on display.
Discover more destinations: Mýtna, Belina, Dobroč, Halič, Tuhár, Píla, Šiatorská Bukovinka, Praha
For the broader travel overview: Lučenec District.
