Duna-Ipoly National Park

This Hungarian National Park is actually part of the network of 17 National and nature parks along the Danube, which have signed the Declaration of Tulcea in the year of 2009. In total, the park controls eight protected landscape areas and 32 nature conservation areas. Compared to other regions of the country, the environmental threats in these regions are quite serious, as the region is densely populated and is also highly industrialised. Nevertheless, Duna-Ipoly National Park is located around the city of Esztergom, Hungary, and has a size of 60 314 ha. It was established in 1997. It includes the Pilis Mountains near Eszergom, the Visegrád Hills and Börzsöny Hills near Vác. Major elevations are the Csóványos (938 m above sea level), the Nagy-Hideg Hill (864 m above sea level), the Pilis Peak (756 m above sea level) and the Dobogó-ký (699 m above sea level).

As well, the nearly untouched Ipoly Valley and parts of the unique Szentendre Danube Island are part of it. The best starting point to explore everything is the Esztergom-Kertváros Eco-tourism Centre of the Danube-Ipoly National Park.

Pilis Hills are located between the cities of Esztergom and Budapest. These are of limestone and dolomite and build a characteristic Karst formation; there is an abundance of caves. In total, there are 334 caves counted! The Benedek Elek Caving Club offers unforgettable speleological tours into the mountain caves.

Rivers and lakes will also attract angling enthusiasts. Wild games are abundant in the forests and are in focus of game hunters. A good place to start any kind of tours is the Ethnographic Village Museum in the town center of Ócsa. Just follow the red tourist sings to experience nature on different signposted tours.

Walk on trekking routes like tour Gerecse 50 in Geresce protected area, or visit the arboretum in village of Agostyán, where a Human Ecology Training Centre has been opened. A highlight is also the Arboretum of Alcsút. Visit the classicism style mansion, in former times in possession of Duke Joseph. See the restored chapel and the Puppet`s house with the exhibition. The arboretum has 540 different tree and bush species (information: www.alcsuti-arboretum.hu).

Fauna and flora of the park are outstanding. Some species are rare or even endemic, like the Lenten rose, or fragrant leek. The park monitors a program on lives of the beavers, the European mink, the sand martin and the little ringed plover populations. Exhibitions take place in the Esztergom Demonstration Centre and the Királyrét open-air school.