An autumn family trip to Bükkszentkereszt: blooming medicinal herbs, a playground, and a breezy climb up to the Kis-Dél Lookout Tower, complete with binocular views.
During the autumn school break, we headed to Bükkszentkereszt with the kids. We packed some snacks and drinks, dressed for the autumn weather, and hopped into the car. From Kikelet Club Hotel, we drove towards Bükkszentlászló and made our way up into the mountains.
This time, we chose two nearby attractions: Uncle Gyuri’s Herb Garden and the Kis-Dél Lookout Tower. We had been putting off visiting the garden for quite some time, so it was finally time to explore it. We also brought our binoculars along for the visit to the lookout tower.
The Trip at a Glance
- Location: Bükkszentkereszt, in the Bükk Mountains
- Getting there: From Kikelet Club Hotel via Bükkszentlászló, approximately 30–40 minutes by car
- Starting point of our walk: The meadow at the foot of Kis-Dél Hill
- Places visited: Uncle Gyuri’s Herb Garden and the Kis-Dél Lookout Tower
- Type of activity: Short walks, a garden visit, playground fun, and a climb up to the lookout tower
- What we brought: Snacks, drinks, autumn clothing, and binoculars
From Kikelet Club Hotel to Bükkszentkereszt
It took us approximately 30–40 minutes to reach Bükkszentkereszt from Kikelet Club Hotel in Miskolctapolca. We drove via Bükkszentlászló and parked our car in the meadow at the foot of Kis-Dél Hill.
From here, both the herb garden and the area around the lookout tower are just a few hundred metres away on foot. This time, we planned a shorter outing, with plenty of opportunities for the kids to play and for us to enjoy the scenery.
We Finally Explored the Herb Garden
We had been wanting to visit Uncle Gyuri’s Herb Garden for a long time. Somehow, we had always put it off, but this time we decided to make it our first stop.
Even though it was already autumn, some flowers were still blooming beautifully. It was lovely to see that there was still plenty to discover in the carefully maintained garden, even at this time of year.
The garden offers a chance to discover the medicinal herbs of the Bükk Mountains. As we wandered around, we couldn't help but look at the plants in a different light: how many of these could we grow in our own garden?
It's moments like these that make you realise that what we simply call a weed at home may actually have a name, a history, and a place in traditional herbal medicine. After visiting a garden like this, you can't help but look at the plants in your own backyard with a little more curiosity.
The Kids’ Favourite: The Playground
There's also a fantastic playground in the garden for the kids. Naturally, this was the most exciting part for them. I can't imagine why!
So there was plenty of time for play during our visit to the garden. While we explored the plants, the kids had fun discovering the playground. Once we had finished exploring the garden and the children had enjoyed plenty of playtime, we headed towards the lookout tower.
A Short Climb in the Strong Autumn Wind
The climb up to the Kis-Dél Lookout Tower isn't long, but this time the weather made it even more memorable.
The first strong gusts of autumn wind had arrived, turning even the short uphill walk into quite a challenge. As we made our way up, we could really feel that autumn had arrived in full force.
After the garden and the playground, a completely different adventure awaited us. We had to make our way uphill, battling the wind along the way, but once we reached the top, it was finally time to take out the binoculars.
Exploring the Views with Binoculars at the Kis-Dél Lookout Tower
At the lookout tower, we admired the surrounding mountain ranges before taking a closer look through our binoculars. Bringing them along was definitely worth it, as they allowed us to spot details in the distance that we wouldn't have noticed otherwise.
This time, the wind decided how long we would stay. Once we had gotten thoroughly chilled, we headed back to the car.
Our Picnic Ended Up Being in the Car
Although we had carefully packed our snacks and drinks, the strong wind meant we ended up enjoying them in the car. After our windy adventure, it felt especially nice to sit down and have a bite to eat.
It wasn't a long hike, but the kids were thoroughly worn out. The playground, the climb, and the windy weather had all taken their toll: they slept all the way home.
What Worked Well for Us on This Trip
- Two nearby attractions: We were able to combine a visit to the herb garden and the lookout tower into one outing.
- Playtime along the way: The garden's playground added an extra element of fun for the kids.
- Binoculars in our backpack: We used them to get a closer look at the surrounding mountain ranges from the lookout tower.
- Snacks and drinks: Although the weather ruled out snacking outdoors, our packed snacks and drinks came in handy once we were back in the car.
- Adapting to the weather: We spent less time at the lookout tower because of the strong wind.
We'll Be Back in Spring
We'll definitely be back in spring to visit the herb garden again. After seeing the autumn flowers, we're curious to discover what the garden looks like when it comes back to life, with even more plants in bloom.
Next time, we'll set aside more time to explore Bükkszentkereszt and visit the place known as the Healing Stones. This time, our trip was filled with exploring the herb garden, having fun at the playground, and braving the wind at the lookout tower.
If You're Staying with Us
Bükkszentkereszt is approximately a 30–40-minute drive from Kikelet Club Hotel, making it easy to fit a short family outing into your relaxing stay in Miskolctapolca.
If you're planning a visit, be sure to check the herb garden's current opening hours before setting off. We're also happy to share our own experiences and help you choose more activities to enjoy in the Bükk Mountains.
Check our room availability and explore the beautiful surroundings of Miskolctapolca with us.
