On the Tisza-lake
Boat tour. Excursions between the Dead Tisza and the Living Tisza through the flushing canals. This can be combined with bike tours.
The Tisza Lake is a terrestrial paradise crafted by human hands, with the blessings of God, filled with a unique flora and fauna. Although the Tisza Lake celebrated its 50th birthday in 2023, the regulation of the Tisza dates back 150 years. Initiated by Count Széchenyi István, it was designed by Pál Vásárhelyi. This became necessary due to the increasing flood risks, the irrigation needs of agriculture, and the development of navigation. During the process, many bends were cut off, embankments were built, flushing canals were created to ensure fresh water supply to the backwaters. Prior to the regulation, the region was covered by vast swamps, which, for example, served as an excellent hiding place during the times of the Tatar and Turkish invasions, but also outlaws hid here to evade the gendarmes.
The water level is regulated by the Kisköre Dam, which can be visited during a cycling tour. The Tisza Lake is the second-largest standing water in the Carpathian Basin, and it is unique because of the lively Tisza, causing significant water movement in different parts of the lake. Its area is 127 km², length is 27 km, and width is 6 km. It is divided into multiple basins, some of which are larger than Lake Velence.
During water tours, the lake's full beauty is revealed, with various water birds that come to life in the bird reserve. The small canals also offer unforgettable scenery.
In recent years, several lookout towers have been built, accessible only from the water, providing excellent views of the Tisza Lake.
The approximately 1-hour tour starts from our cooperative partner, the Fishing Center Harbor and Leisure Center. The harbor is located on the shores of the Füredi Holt-Tisza. From our Tourist Center, you can turn right onto the Main Road or, entering from the rear exit, make a U-turn in the market's parking lot. Then, drive into the roundabout and take the second exit onto the Main Road heading towards Budapest. After about 1 km, turn onto Ady Endre Road at the roundabout. Following the second exit, you'll drive towards the gas station and reach the railway crossing. After passing it, follow the sign for the harbor.
The tour route: Starting from the harbor, it goes around the Császlód Island located across the Füredi Holt-Tisza, where you'll also find the Balneum Hotel. Continuing past the island, you proceed towards the old Tisza River through the flushing canal. In this section, you often see a bird species called "bagcsó," and herons are also common. After this, it turns left into a narrow canal initially bordered by trees, and then it continues through an even narrower channel within the reeds. This section is recommended for more experienced motorboat operators. There's just enough space for one boat to navigate, so you need to be watchful of oncoming traffic, which can be obscured by the tall reeds.
In the wooded section, you can capture beautiful videos and photographs. Exiting the canal, you'll reach the Füredi Pool, and the sight of the widening water surface is breathtaking. Moving forward, you'll encounter the Örvényi Morotva. In this section, an increasing number of waterfowl species are visible, with swans being the most common. These swans are not native to the Tisza Lake and are ecologically less favored due to their behavior. During the breeding season, they may occupy vast areas, displacing other birds. Unlike the swans in Lake Balaton, they are not known for their friendly nature, so it's a good idea to keep your distance, especially during the nesting and chick-rearing periods.
Continuing along the Örvényi Morotva, the waterway branches into two. The tour proceeds on the Örvényi flushing canal toward the Kormorán harbor, where you reach the Old Tisza. Turning there, you return to the Örvényi Morotva on the old channel. This branch has a somewhat "wild" character, occasionally bordered by fallen trees. You leave the Füredi Pool through the small canal leading to the Albatrosz harbor, which leads to a small bay near the Morotva resting park. Here you'll find the Tisza Lake, and perhaps Hungary's largest and most beautiful dog-friendly beach, Mancsos Pancsoló. At the peninsula hosting the resting park, if the water route is not closed due to the open beach operation, you can turn right, passing in front of the beach, and return to the harbor. In case of closure, the tour ends by circumnavigating the Császlód Island along the departure route.
The prelude of Tisza Lake constantly changes with the seasons, so it's worth returning multiple times. Water lilies, water ferns, and water roses (nymphaeaceae) don't bloom throughout the year. Those interested in the lake's birds can encounter many during the tour, including ducks, geese, seagulls, cormorants, herons, and more. However, an incredible experience awaits on a bird reserve tour. And we haven't even mentioned the Tisza's flowering, which begins around mid-June, depending on the weather, and lasts for just a few days. During this time, thousands of mayflies fill the airspace a few meters above the water surface.
We hope that this tour guide inspires you to explore and get to know one of Hungary's most beautiful natural treasures even better.
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