Zone de protection paysagère du Mecsek occidental, Protected landscape park in Baranya County, Hungary.
The Western Mecsek Protected Landscape Area is a regional park in the hills of Baranya, combining forested slopes with open meadows and diverse rock formations. Trails wind through valleys and across ridges, offering views of the varied terrain and vegetation types found here.
This protected area was officially designated in 2009 as part of efforts to preserve the natural environment of the Mecsek mountain range. The designation reflected growing concerns about maintaining the region's ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Small villages scattered through the area show how people have long lived alongside forests and hills. The way locals manage meadows and woodlands reflects deep connections to this landscape that visitors can observe while walking through.
Visitors can start exploring from the town of Abaliget using clearly marked trails throughout the area. Local administrators offer information and guidance to help plan visits and walks of different lengths.
The area received designation as an International Dark Sky Park in 2009, making it special for stargazing and nocturnal wildlife protection. This recognition led to specific measures designed to keep light pollution low in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
