Csopak: Wine, Nature and Local History

Nature education, wine traditions and historic buildings come together in Csopak. The Pele-körút focuses on the local environment and geological history; the Tóth Pince offers an introduction to wine culture and houses a local history collection. These different themes can help you plan your trip around the subjects that interest you most.

Nature Trail, Scenery and Views

The Pele-körút is open daily and free of charge. An expert-guided tour can be requested on weekdays for the 30-minute walk; check seasonal arrangements before your trip. This interactive, playfully designed nature trail focuses on wild animals that leave tracks in the local environment. It also introduces indicators of stream pollution.

Plant life is another of its topics: the Pele-körút introduces 30 species of woody and herbaceous plants. It also offers insights into the geological events that have shaped the Balaton Uplands over the past 500 million years. The trail thus ranges from animal tracks to waterways and plants, and on to geological history.

The Csákány-hegyi Kilátó lookout tower offers views of the Bakony Mountains and the eastern basin of Lake Balaton. Csopak’s attractions also include fountains built at local springs. Both ordinary drinking water and carbonated spring water flow in Csopak; not all the fountains have retained their original function.

Cycling and a Break by Lake Balaton

The Csopak section of the Balatoni Bringakörút includes the Madárles és kerékpáros pihenő ecological cycling rest area. The rest area has a nature trail and play equipment. From the birdwatching hide, visitors can look out over the reed beds and Lake Balaton towards Paloznak and Alsóörs. As well as providing a place for cyclists to rest, it offers a clear view of the lakeside landscape.

Wine Traditions and the Tóth Pince

The Tóth Pince, built with clay-filled joints and a vaulted stone ceiling, dates from 1837. Wine tastings and cellar-door sales are offered there throughout the year, by prior appointment. If you plan to attend a tasting or buy wine, be sure to arrange an appointment in advance.

The attic of the Tóth Pince houses a small local history exhibition with a wine collection. It includes traditional tools and household items belonging to reed cutters, vintners, winegrowers, blacksmiths and coopers. The collection is complemented by a unique set of shoemaking tools and kitchen items from the early 20th century, drawn from the family’s heritage and collection.

The name Csopaki is also part of the local wine identity: it refers to a wine made from Olaszrizling. This grape variety has been a defining feature of Csopak’s vineyards since the end of the 19th century. In 2012, Csopak’s winemakers founded the Csopaki Kódex to protect local viticulture and wine culture, as well as the good reputation and excellent quality of the traditional Csopaki wine.

Historic Buildings and Collections

The Angolkisasszonyok nyaralója was the holiday home in Csopak of the Order of the English Ladies for its teachers. It was built around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Plul Mill has been preserved as an industrial monument and houses a local history collection. Together with the exhibition at the Tóth Pince, these places offer different insights into Csopak’s architectural and local history.

Discover more destinations: Monoszló, Balatonszepezd, Balatonszolos, Szentantalfa, Aszófő, Örvényes, Zánka, Óbudavár.

For the main travel overview: Balatonfüredi.