Megyer-hegyi Tarn, Protected lake in Sárospatak, Hungary.
The Megyer-hegyi Tarn is a mountain lake nestled in a rock basin with steep walls and clear water about 6 meters deep. Vertical rock walls rising around 70 meters form a natural bowl that cradles the water.
This location served as a quarry from the 15th century until 1907, when miners extracted a volcanic rock called rhyolitic tuff for millstone production. The quarry was eventually abandoned, and the site later became protected.
The miners who worked here left traces of their daily lives carved into the rock face – you can still see unfinished millstones and small shelters carved into the stone. These remnants tell the story of how people once labored and lived at this location.
You can reach the lake through hiking trails starting from the local vineyards, with the final stretch passing through a narrow rock passage that leads down to the water. Bring sturdy shoes and be prepared for steep terrain on the approach.
The site features one of Hungary's longest via ferrata systems with ropes and metal rungs that let visitors climb the rock wall. Along the way, you can spot about 17 different rock types and formations that reveal the area's geological story.
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