Jegenye Valley waterfall

A mysterious valley just outside Solymár conceals the waterfall of Jegenye Valley, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the region. The waterfall in this gorge-like part of Jegenye Valley is a national treasure. Water falls from a 4-meter-high ledge into a little plunge pool surrounded by lush foliage. A pool was created in the creek above the waterfall in the 1940s, altering the natural rock formation.

At this point, the stream flows through sandstone, and water-borne material in violent whirlpools has formed a bowl-shaped plunge pool at the base of the waterfall. Water has undercut caprock on one side so much that it will soon follow gravity and collapse. This is how waterfalls continue to recede upstream. Paprikás Creek lacks the strength to straighten its bed and instead runs over the granite shelf. Slow erosion, on the other hand, progressively reduces the water channel, so this sandstone shelf used to be much higher, maybe even above the constructed terrace.

If you're a dedicated walker, you can do this light, relatively short trip of slightly under 6km in 90 minutes. But stopping here and there is part of the experience, as is seeing sites like the wooden hut hidden in the woods, a tent home erected by children, and a wonderful meadow. The walk follows Paprikás Stream, where you should look for the yellow trail and blue Mária markers, which are plainly visible on the trees and bridges. The wooden steps heading down to the left - and the bustle of people on weekends - do not reveal the location of the waterfall, which is the major attraction.

Location: Jegenye Valley, Hungary