KISKUNSÁG NATIONAL PARK

This park, nicknamed Little Coumania, stretches over almost 50,000 ha between the banks of the Danube, Kecskemét and the Tisza, in Hungary's Great Plain. Created in 1975, and with two-thirds of its territory classified as a biosphere reserve, it protects a unique landscape shaped by water, sand and wind. Due to the natural fragmentation of habitats, it is not a continuous territory but a mosaic of seven ecological units, grouped here into four main zones.

The first is the alluvial valley of the Danube, to the very west of Kecskemét, which preserves wet plains and aquatic ecosystems, remnants of the time when the river regularly flooded the plain.

The second zone comprises mobile and fixed dunes, sandy reliefs, hillocks and ancient forests. Once more humid, these landscapes can now be explored via short, signposted footpaths, notably from Bugac.

The third zone is the lower Tisza, in the south-east, which forms a triangle between Csongrád, Szentes and Szeged. It features backwaters, salt meadows, alluvial forests and alkaline soils. It is highly sensitive and not very open to the public.

Finally, the Bácska region, towards Baja, is marked by steep loess cliffs carved out by the Danube. This is one of the most protected areas, with very restricted access.

The park is managed from its headquarters in Kecskemét. To find out more and discover possible hikes, the official website offers a version in English.