What highlights await you on the Amazon of Europe cycle route
Cycling along the Amazon? And in the heart of Europe ? It's possible – along the so-called Amazon of Europe. This is the largest contiguous river wetland in Central Europe, formed by the three rivers Mura, Drava, and Danube. While not quite as vast as the real Amazon in South America , the surrounding floodplain forests and landscapes are beautiful and of great ecological importance.
Not quite as big as the real Amazon, but still impressive: The Amazon of Europe, consisting of the rivers Mur, Drava and Danube.
Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos
Since 2018, a long-distance cycle route has run along the rivers. This route, also called the Amazon of Europe, stretches 1,250 kilometers. The route runs along the respective river banks, with a northern and a southern route. The northern route runs primarily through Hungary , while the southern route runs primarily through Croatia .
The long-distance cycle route is divided into 72 stages, each between 24 and 75 kilometers long. Those who cycle from start to finish will cross five countries – Austria , Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia , and Serbia . Find out what to expect along the route here.
Even though the cycle path mostly leads through nature, there are some beautiful villages and towns along the route that are definitely worth a stop.
The tour begins in Mureck, a small town in Austria on the border with Slovenia. From the 28-meter-high Murturm tower, you can overlook the Danube and the surrounding floodplain forests.
In Slovenia, the town of Murska Sobota is worth exploring. In addition to the castle and its city park, this area is also home to the Expano Adventure Park, one of the largest in Slovenia.
In Croatia, you should plan a stop in the picturesque Baroque city of Varaždin. Once the capital of Croatia, Varaždin is now known as a "Baroque wonder." The historic center is dotted with palaces, churches, and town houses in the magnificent Baroque style .
In Serbia, the route passes the city of Sombor, among other places. There you can take a walk through the Gornje Podunavlje Regional Park.
Both the northern and southern routes end in the small Hungarian town of Mohács. The town is full of culture. There are traditional pottery workshops, a museum of the town's history, and an art collection in the town hall to discover.
The old town of Varaždin in Croatia is worth a stroll.
Source: imago stock&people
Anyone who cycles many kilometers needs a refreshing dip every now and then. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities along the Amazon of Europe.
An idyllic bathing spot can be found in the Croatian seaside resort of Cirkovečka. There, the Drava River, with its wide banks, invites you to swim and relax. Near the small town of Drávaszabolcs in Hungary, the Drava River is even lined with a sandy beach – perfect for sunbathing.
Not far from the city of Osijek in Croatia, there are also sandy beaches that invite you to swim in the Drava River. The city beaches of Copacabana and Željo are popular.
In addition to the rivers themselves, several lakes are also ideal for swimming. One of them is the eleven-hectare reservoir in Kistolmács, Hungary. The shore is lined with green meadows, trees, and picnic benches. Also in Hungary along the northern route is Lake Gyékényes, one of the most beautiful lakes in the country.
The Amazon of Europe cycle route is a paradise for anyone who loves untouched nature – there are wild landscapes to discover on every stage. A highlight on the southern route is the "Croatian Sahara" near the towns of Koprivnica and Đurđevac. This is a protected botanical area dotted with sandy areas and sand dunes. Today, the sand area measures approximately 20 hectares – the last remnants of a once vast, twelve-kilometer-long sand belt.
In Serbia, at the end of the southern route, lies the Štrbac hiking trail. Between the villages of Bački Monoštor and Bezdan, it leads through wetlands for about 1.5 hours and ends at the Šarkanj Pond, a gathering place for numerous bird species.
The northern route leads through the Kopački Rit Nature Park in Hungary. This park covers an area of 23,000 hectares and consists of two lakes connected by the Danube and Drava rivers. Over 2,000 animal species call this park home, including 293 different bird species. Numerous educational trails lead through the park, with interpretive signs providing information about the flora and fauna. Tikves Castle is also located in the north of the nature park. This consists of a new and an old castle complex, as well as a chapel, a park, and a restaurant serving regional dishes.
The places where two rivers intersect are also particularly beautiful. The water masses swirl together, creating a play of colors before finally making their way through nature. This spectacle can be observed well near the Croatian town of Legrad, for example, where the Mura and Danube flow into each other.
Sunrise over a marshland in the Kopački Rit Nature Park in Croatia.
Source: imago images/imagebroker
Wild camping is not permitted along the cycle path, but there are plenty of hotels and accommodations, many of them small and family-run. One of them is the Crocus Resort and Wine Spa in Hungary. It offers various wellness treatments based on grapes and wine. Among other things, vacationers can take a wine bath!
Because the Amazon of Europe passes through rural regions, you can gain authentic insights into the lives of the locals. Away from the tourist crowds, life still goes on at its most authentic – and the local restaurants and hotels benefit all the more from your visit.
If you follow the Amazon of Europe cycle path, you will be off the beaten track.
Source: Matthew Nelson
The final leg of the northern route leads through the picturesque Villány-Siklós wine-growing region in Hungary. The route is lined with vineyards and wineries. Especially in the small town of Villány, numerous wineries and restaurants invite you to sample the regional wines. In the town of Siklós, in addition to numerous wineries, there are also the castle of the same name to visit.
The final leg of the southern route also leads through a wine-growing region. The town of Erdut in Croatia, in particular, is known for its premium wines. Erdut's winery also houses one of the largest wine barrels in Europe. It is made of Slavonian oak and has an impressive capacity of 75,000 liters.
The small town of Siklós in Hungary has a castle, vineyards and delicious wine to offer.
Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos
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