In the Saddle in the Heart of Palócföld: Hollókő – Rimóc

Elevation gain +107.8m / -229.4m

Estimated time 2h 19m

Route properties

Available transport: Bike Electric bicycle
Target groups: Class trips Families with younger children Families with older children Multigenerational programs Friends Seniors Couples

Route plan

Here you can see where you start, what you pass through and where you arrive.

Route path Point of interest

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Locations on this route

Hollókő Old Village In 1987, Hollókő Old Village became the first rural location in the world to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This recognition was based on the architectural unity of the settlement: the village centre, consisting of 67 protected houses, faithfully preserves the folk architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Palóc Doll Museum Located in the heart of the village, the museum showcases the remarkable clothing culture of the Palóc region through more than 200 large porcelain dolls.
Hollókő Castle Hollókő Castle, rising among the hills of the Cserhát, is one of the country's most iconic medieval fortresses. Its construction began in the late 13th century, shortly after the Mongol invasion, thanks to the Kacsics clan. The primary purpose of the fortress was to protect the surrounding area and important trade routes. Over the centuries, ownership of the castle changed frequently: it was held by Máté Csák, Charles Robert, and later the Szécsényi family. During the Ottoman occupation, it served as a strategic border fortress, changing hands multiple times until the early 18th century, when, like many other Hungarian castles, it was partially demolished by order of Emperor Leopold I following the Rákóczi War of Independence. Thanks to extensive reconstructions carried out in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it can now be visited in its full splendour, showcasing the everyday life of the knightly era.

Destinations on this route

Hollókő

The starting point of the tour is Hollókő, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving the cobbled streets and whitewashed, thatched-roof cottages behind, you’ll cycle down a quiet, hilly road through the rolling landscapes of the Cserhát towards Rimóc.

About 12 kilometres from Hollókő, you’ll reach Rimóc. The village is renowned for its still-living traditional costumes and rich ethnographic collections. It’s worth stopping by the local Folk House or the Babszem Jankó Fairy Tale Museum. The peaceful streets of the village exude a truly serene, rural atmosphere.

Leaving Rimóc, a short and very pleasant 4-kilometre ride brings you to Varsány. This village is famous for its Palóc hospitality and local products: the House of Traditions, the Blacksmith’s Workshop, and the Flatbread House offer excellent spots for a break and refreshments midway through the tour.

After the rest and tasting in Varsány, you’ll cycle back along the same route to Hollókő. On the return journey, the terrain remains comfortable until Rimóc, followed by a longer but steady climb on the final stretch towards Hollókő, where the experience of reaching your destination and the sight of Hollókő Castle will make it all worthwhile.