Lillafüred: Waterfall, Caves and Forest Railway

Lillafüred can be explored through several distinct highlights: water, caves, trails and the history of individual buildings. Lake Hámori and the Szinva Waterfall shape the landscape, while the forest railway and nature trails link different destinations and themes. If you are looking for a hotel in Lillafüred, it helps with planning your trip to first consider which of these aspects of the place matter most for your stay.

Landscape and water

Lake Hámori shapes the appearance of Lillafüred; it is an artificially dammed section of the Garadna stream. In the park of the Palotaszálló, the Szinva appears as a waterfall: in 1928, its new riverbed formed the park boundary, and the river created the waterfall as it plunged over the rock face. It is 20 metres high. The lake and waterfall thus represent two different forms of water in the local landscape: the dammed section of the stream and the drop over a rock face.

Travelling by forest railway

In Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, the forest railway runs from Diósgyőr via Lillafüred to Garadna. The Lillafüredi Állami Erdei Vasút winds through the Garadna Valley along the shore of Lake Hámori, and offers journeys to the Palotaszálló, the waterfall, the caves and the Újmassai őskohó. If the forest railway is a key part of your plans, check the current timetable before travelling.

Nature trails and viewpoints

The Lillafüredi Tanösvény starts at the Lillafüredi Szent Anna-barlang and ends at the Lillafüredi Libegőpark. In the Szinva Valley, the Miskolc–Lillafüredi Tanösvény explains how the Szinva Waterfall and Anna-barlang were formed, the history of the Palotaszálló and the forest railway, and the circumstances surrounding the construction of the Lourdes-i barlang and the Limpiászi kereszt. The area’s geological formations are also among its themes. Those interested in the links between natural and local history will find several topics brought together along this trail.

The Oxigén-sétaút starts at the upper station of the Lillafüredi Libegő; its name refers to Lillafüred’s role as a climatic health resort. The chairlift between Lillafüred and Jávorhegy carries passengers along a one-kilometre route. Jávorhegy rises above the holiday area belonging to Miskolc. Both the trail’s starting point and the lift’s length therefore provide practical details for planning a trip.

Caves and architectural history

Anna-barlang is a tufa cave open to the public. Its cavities were formed by waterfalls being enclosed by overhanging rock; moss, pine needles and tangled roots shape the appearance of the walls and ceilings in its chambers. At Szent István-barlang, the length of the section open to visitors is a distinct point of reference: it measures 170 metres. The two caves thus differ in the details described here—Anna-barlang for its formation and the surfaces of its chambers, and Szent István-barlang for the length of its accessible section.

Below the Palotaszálló, the slope has been laid out as a terraced hillside garden that descends in stages to the entrance of Anna-barlang. The cave thus also appears as the endpoint of this landscaped slope.

The Pele House was Ottó Herman’s former holiday home in Lillafüred. It was built between 1898 and 1903 as part of the newly established holiday resort of the time. The former holiday home houses an exhibition about Herman’s scientific work as well as his political and public activities. The building period, former use and exhibition themes give the place a distinct cultural and historical focus.

Discover more destinations: Felsőzsolca, Sajókeresztúr, Szirmabesenyő, Harsány, Mályi, Emőd, Répáshuta, Miskolc.

For the broader travel overview: Miskolci.