The oldest and largest national park in Hungary, Hortobágy, half an hour’s drive from Debrecen, shows its magical face in winter. In February 2024, this UNESCO World Heritage site will offer several thematic tours to discover its wildlife, from a hiking tour to an arboretum walk and a visit to open stables.
The Hortobágy National Park’s program for February 2024:
4 February 2024 (Sunday) 15:00: Crow hunt in the cemetery
During the guided walk, participants will have the opportunity to go bird watching in the Debrecen Public Cemetery with the help of a guide, followed by the observation of flocks of protected crows (Corvus frugilegus) coming from their feeding grounds to spend the night. Visitors will also learn about the habits and conservation importance of the sowing crow.
Location: the Debrecen Public Cemetery
Date: 4 February 2024 (Sunday) 15:00
Meeting: 15:00; Debrecen Cemetery main gate
Program duration: 2 hours
Distance: 1-2 km
Participation fee: free of charge
10 February 2024 (Saturday) 10:00: Hortobágy-Kónya winter hiking tour
The guided hike will take place between Hortobágy and Kónya, where birdwatching will take place. The tour will be by train to Kónya and then on foot back to Hortobágy. Participants will also see species such as the Great Shrike (Lanius excubitor), the Common Bunting (Buteo lagopus) and the Blue Heron (Circus cyaneus), which are common in the area in winter.
Location: Hortobágy-Kónya
Date: 10 February 2024 (Saturday) 10:00
Meeting: 10:00 a.m.; Hortobágy, railway station
Program duration: 3 hours
Distance: 8 km
Participation fee: 1500 Ft/person
17 February 2024 (Saturday) 10:00: Winter hike in the Tiszakürt Arboretum
A refreshing winter walk along the Tisza floodplain. The program offers a chance to learn about aquatic and near-water communities.
Date: 17 February 2024 (Saturday) 10:00
Meeting point: at the main entrance of the Tiszakürti Arboretum
Duration of the walk: about 2-2,5 hours
Planned length of the walk: about 4-5 km
Price: free of charge
24 February 2024 (Saturday) 10:00: Eagle Day at Hortobágy Fish Pond
The highly protected eagle owl (Haliaeetus albicilla) is the largest nesting bird of prey in our country. The wingspan can exceed 2 meters and the weight of the egg can reach 4-5 kg. The Hortobágy is also important for wintering eagles in the Carpathian Basin, so in winter the domestic nesting population is enriched by wintering birds from the north and north-east. Typically, they prefer to stay near wetlands, where they are most likely to be seen, but they are also often seen in short-grassed saltmarsh.
A walking tour can take visitors to places where eagles are most likely to be seen during the day. With a pair of binoculars, they can be observed with a bit of luck, giving participants an insight into their behavior and feeding habits. Visitors can also learn about the winter wildlife in the ponds.
Location: Hortobágy-Halastó (Fish Ponds)
Date: 24 February 2024 (Saturday) 9:50 am
Meeting time: 9.50 am; Fisherman’s Tavern, Hortobágy-Halastó
Program duration: 3 hours
Distance: approx. 6 km
Participation fee: 2800 Ft/adult, 2000 Ft/child, pensioner, 6200 Ft/family (2 adults, 1 or 2 children)
24-25 February 2024 (Saturday-Sunday): Open stables weekend in Hortobágy
The stables of the Máta Stud Farm, the sheepfolds of Szatmártelek and the livestock farms of the Puszta Zoo will open their doors to visitors. Between 24-25 February, visitors can meet the youngest newcomers to the winter Hortobágy, this year’s foals, racka lambs, mangalica piglets, as well as chicks, small ducks and geese, goats and donkey kids, guided by the shepherds and animal keepers who look after their animals.
The central location of the event, the starting and arrival point of the tours is the Hortobágy Inn, which will reopen its doors to guests at this weekend in 2024.
Program both days between 9:00 and 16:00
9:00-16:00: local products market on the porch of the Hortobágy Inn
9:00-15:00: cash desk, central information
9:00-17:00: The more than 300-year-old Hortobágy Inn wakes up from its winter sleep and opens its doors for the first time this weekend to welcome its guests with gypsy music.
Carriage departures:
– horse-drawn carriage to the stud farm in Mata: 09:00, 10:30, 13:30, 15:00
– bus to the racka sheep barn in Szatmártelek: 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30
– small animals’ show at the Puszta Zoo (individual): 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
The duration of a program including return trip is approximately 1-1 hour and 20 minutes.
The foal and lamb watching bus leaves from the parking lot in front of the Hortobágy Inn, while the Puszta Zoo can be reached individually, by private car or by a walk of about 1.5 km.
