A picturesque setting: the Rétköz lake presents itself
A palm-sized piece of heaven: the Rétköz lake
Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, in the northern part, a few kilometres from Kisvárda, is one of the most beautiful water areas of the country, the Szabolcsveresmarti reservoir, or the Rétközi lake, which offers recreational opportunities for families, anglers, water sportsmen.
Picturesque surroundings, varied programmes for all ages, eco-conscious Hobbit Lodge. All closer than you think. Introducing Lake Rétköz, one of the hidden wonders of our country.
Tourism in our country is largely based around our lakes, with Lake Balaton and thermal baths attracting domestic and foreign visitors. But it is not only the Hungarian sea that offers a respite from the daily grind, one of the gems of north-eastern Hungary is the Szabolcsveresmarti Reservoir, or Lake Rétköz, which is located in a breathtaking setting. Located about 10 minutes' drive from Kisvárda in Szabolcs-Szatmár Bereg county, the 400-hectare lake offers a pleasant pastime, a recharging relaxation and a variety of activities for everyone. Families, groups of friends, nature lovers, anglers and water sports enthusiasts, young and old alike can find the most suitable programmes and spend their leisure time here.
One of Hungary's largest artificial lakes was created on the former marshland and floodplain, less than a kilometre from the living Tisza. The 10,000-year-old lake was created after the last ice age, like the major lakes of Hungary, and is the little brother of the Danube, the Tisza, Lake Balaton and Lake Venice. Known then as White Lake, the original life of this body of water was ended in the 1800s by a drainage and river control operation, and records from the 1880s show that the former lake was now just a meadow. In the period that followed, the area played a number of roles, and thanks to a long process, since the 1990s it has once again become a spectacular, wildlife-rich landscape and a popular destination for visitors to the area.
The easiest way to get there is to take the main road No. 4, which, leaving it at Kisvárda, leads to small lakeside villages in two directions. The M3 motorway and the main road 4 or road 37 from the capital are both about 290km by car, while from Debrecen it is a 100km drive to the lake shore.
Nature lovers will be greeted by a unique, incomparable fauna and flora, which, in addition to the typical meadow and Tisza shore birds and plants, also offers an unparalleled richness of fish fauna. In addition to the long shore excursions, there are free boat trips to explore nature and a guided boat trip of almost an hour, in which you can sail in a 12-person open catamaran around the lake, discovering the major natural treasures. The boat trip is also designed with the environment in mind, as, quote, "the boats are actually powered by renewable energy, as they are equipped with only oars". The area is fully protected, ensuring that this wonderfully rich and diverse wildlife will be as much a joy for our children and grandchildren as it is for us.
A common scene in romance films is a romantic sunset boat ride on the fabulous open water. Lake Rétköz offers the opportunity to do just that, with a trained guide an hour before each sunset, for a memorable experience that will not only enhance your knowledge of the lake and its surroundings, but also your relationship with your partner.
Water sports enthusiasts can also get to know the reservoir in depth, as one of the best ways to explore the shoreline is the increasingly popular Stand Up Paddle, or SUP. Stand Up Paddle enthusiasts can also access areas of the lake that would be impossible to observe in the noise of a boat. A kayak or canoe can also be a good alternative as a means of getting out on the water.
Not only the water, but also the waterfront offers many exciting opportunities for visitors. At Bucka Lake, you can also hire bicycles to cycle around the entire lake system on an asphalt road, giving you a glimpse of some of the wonderful details you wouldn't find any other way. For those who don't want to cycle, there is also an environmentally friendly alternative: a horse-drawn carriage ride at a reasonable price, with a guide who knows the area well, to explore the lakeshore and the immediate surroundings of the Rétköz lake. In the evenings, you can spend a pleasant time cooking at the well-appointed fireplaces, roasting bacon or even just having a big bonfire, where it is guaranteed that it will not be difficult to recall old memories and create a nostalgic atmosphere.
Of course, a pond wouldn't be real if it didn't offer fishing. There are the best places for all types of sport, for example, there is a separate lake for big fish lovers, for anglers with a buoy, where electricity and water are available at the built-up ponds. Lovers of predatory fish can also troll from a boat to find the best fishing spots and go after the fish, which in such a large open, contiguous body of water is an unforgettable experience for anglers.
On top of all this, there are many exciting opportunities, such as stargazing, team-building training, Robinson Crusoe-style survival training on an island, and the list goes on for days.
Of course, you can't cram all this experience into one day, so you have the option of staying in the lakeside Hobbit-style cottages, the "Bucka House". These eco-cottages not only offer a unique and exquisite atmosphere, but also a magnificent view of the lake.
It's not just the lake and its immediate surroundings that are worth exploring, you may also want to spend a day or two exploring the more open-air surroundings. Just a kilometre away is the living Tisza, a few minutes away is Kisvárda, but the county capital and the largest city of the region, Nyíregyháza, is only 50km away, so you can reach it in about forty minutes, but the home of the Zemplén Adventure Park, Sátoraljaújhely, is also within reach, and you can get there in less than an hour by car. In these towns, there are many more opportunities to spend every minute of your free time in a meaningful way.
If you don't want to stay at the Bucka House by the lake, the Várda Sport Hotel in Kisvárda is the home of active relaxation. Whether you are looking for sporty recreation or a relaxing and refreshing wellness, Várda Sport Hotel is the ideal choice. For those looking for relaxation, there is direct access to the Cinemaqua wellness area, direct access to the slide and pool park, but if you are looking for even more active exercise, there are high quality tracks, halls, gyms and all the necessary equipment for practising almost any sport. Among the hotel's many services are conference facilities, including a 112-seat conference room, which can be divided into two 56-seat rooms on request. In addition, gyms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities are available to ensure that guests of the Várda Sport Hotel can spend their time in the best conditions for relaxation.