What's great about Veszprém is that you don't have to make a compromise. Recently, we discussed the Castle District with all the museums, art galleries and peculiarities, and now we'd like to spoil those who are on better terms with a bicycle or a longboard than with contemporary fans of contemporary art. And compromises are really out of question: the view from the Gulya Hill forest, the new skate park, and the Jutas vitéz lookout tower all bring you sunsets that Monet would love to paint.
Skatepark, Kálvin Park
The new favourite meeting and rolling point of bmx, roller and kick scooter girls and boys in Kálvin János Park, near the Jutasi Street sports grounds in the northern part of town opened only a month ago. Anyone can enjoy the fenced skatepark course that is equipped with several obstacles, and the area around the course is free to use well. Although the tiles might not have been the best choice of surface here, the skatepark is still fun, and if you have guts enough you can also test your skills at jumping.
We also bumped into Balázs Jassek, skateboarding Methuselah and the owner of the STÉG Skateboarding shops who thinks that the new park will appeal most to the youngest. Skateboarding has long been going strong in Veszprém: the Éljen május elseje! - Gördeszkás Majális (Hurray for 1 May! - Skateboard Festival) has been an unmissable event for years - even for the boarders of the capital.
The new asphalt surfaces and slopes are aplenty in the city, which makes it perfect for longboarding; but the Kálvin Park is also hard to leave, since the miniature soccer cages are fun to play in even if your numbers are low, and freestylers will not be chased home by locals either.
Fenyves Study Trail and forest running track
You can also walk or run up to the recently opened Jutasi vitéz lookout tower via the Fenyves Study Trail and forest running track. The lookout tower by the Séd-patak opens a great view of the Bakony, the Aranyos-völgy, the city and the castle. The 6.5-metre-high tower mirrors the shape of the Fibonacci spiral, which best describes the living nature. The designers wanted to integrate the wooden structure into nature by following the mathematical model of snail shells, petal formations and the Milky Way. They say that even tree branches grow in harmony with this model.
Such a highbrow lookout tower, of course, has to be surrounded by signs that help you get around. So not only can you eat your pre-packed sandwiches on any of the many benches installed here, but you can gather information from signs at the beginning of the trail, by the lookout tower, and at many spots along the carefully constructed forest trail. The trail is also great for running: it is covered in supple bark bits. It has minor elevations and is great for losing yourself a bit at sundown.
Bike anywhere and everywhere
Veszprém is great for cycling. Very good. We're fairly sure that if you spend your weekend rolling around here, it will keep you pumped for a longer period than your Monday morning coffee. Fear not if you're less fit: the hills of Veszprém are by no means Tour de France category. You can also follow a pre-set route, like the 12-stop tour of the secret monasteries and gardens of the city. This 3.5-km tour is easy-peasy for any participant, it doesn't leave the city, but still runs in an amazing scenery, where you can enjoy this colourful autumn.
If you are up for more, ride around the green haven, the Gulya Hill forest neat dowtown Veszprém. Although you won't always find properly marked routes here, this won't be a bother. It might be difficult to find your way among the multitude of branching trails, it is by no means impossible, and you can always turn to locals for instructions: they know all the nooks and crannies of the forest. They even accompanied us to the lookout tower, so we would not miss a thing, and the view was truly enchanting.
When you rent from the Bakony & Balaton bike rental network, you can choose from a range of 4 different locations based on your preferred pick-up and drop-off spot. We had a go, and found that the rental bikes do well on any surface, and we could get to more places than we could have gone on foot. This option is especially recommended to those who visit the town for the first time ever.
Those who are not satisfied by a magnificent panorama, should hop off their bike and climb rocks by the Veszprém Zoo (only with proper equipment and previous experience). You can also test the stops of the exercise trail in the fresh air of the Gulya Hill forest.
