Aggtelek National Park

Aggtelek National Park is a dramatic protected area, of limestone karst and caves, in Northeast Hungary. It includes Baradla which, at 26km, is Europe’s largest stalactite cave.

Though it is less well known than its limestone formations, Aggtelek is also home to a wonderful diversity of wildlife. Accompanied by licensed experts it is possible to visit huge roosts of Geoffroy’s bats, plus greater, lesser and Mediterranean horseshoe bats. Hazel, forest and edible dormice all live here and, again with expert guidance, may be seen in special dormouse-boxes.

As for larger mammals, European badger, wild boar, roe deer and red deer are all common. Wildcat and wolf are present too, though both are very difficult to track down.

Among the park’s most notable birds are lesser spotted eagle, northern goshawk, black, grey-headed, middle-spotted and white-backed woodpeckers and the handsome hawfinch.

View suggested itinerary