Hortobágy National Park

Hortobágy National Park is a protected area on the Great Hungarian Plain that preserves a large area of traditional puszta grassland and associated habitats. It was established as Hungary’s first national park in the early 1970s and is regarded as a core part of the Puszta cultural landscape.

The landscape is characterised by open steppe, alkali lakes and low ridges with a rural pattern of grazing and seasonal livestock management. Wildlife, traditional herding, and grazing-adapted plant communities are principal attractions.

The area developed over many centuries through pastoral agriculture and seasonal grazing, with human land use shaping the open grassland character now conserved as a national park. It has been recognised for both natural and cultural values.

Hortobágy lies in eastern Hungary on the Great Hungarian Plain; the protected area is centred on the Hortobágy region and is accessed from nearby regional towns.

• Pastoral traditions: The park preserves traditional pastoral practices and native Hungarian grey cattle herds; seasonal shepherding demonstrations are offered for visitors.

What to See #

• Nine-arched Bridge: The historic Nine-arched Bridge (Kilenclyukú híd) is a notable stone bridge within the Hortobágy area and serves as a local landmark on traditional transhumance routes.