Experiences in Várhely
Active recreation on the banks of the Sebes-Körös
Are you organizing a class trip, forest school, or a multi-day camp? Or perhaps you are looking for family recreation, programs with friends, or active waterfront experiences? At Várhely, nature, movement, and shared adventures take center stage.
School camps • Class trips • Family programs • Water touring • Cycling • Fishing
The 2.8-hectare Várhely Camp is located about 4 kilometers from the border of Szeghalom, surrounded by an oak forest, on the right bank of the Sebes-Körös. The peaceful, nature-close environment offers an ideal location for meaningful school programs, shared camp experiences, and active recreation.
Várhely has long been a popular location for forest schools, spring and autumn class trips, summer camps, and campers. The waterfront, the forest environment, and the diverse outdoor opportunities make it an attractive destination for families, groups of friends, water tourers, cyclists, and anglers.
What does Várhely offer?
Water touring on the Sebes-Körös
The nature-close environment of the Sebes-Körös offers a special experience for lovers of water tours. At Várhely, a mobile pier, a slipway, a riverbed access road, and a docking pier suitable for receiving boats and small ships facilitate safe launching and docking.
Three 4-person and three 3-person touring canoes, one 1-person and one 2-person kayak, three 3-person and one 4-person canoe, as well as paddles and life jackets are available for individual and group water tourers. A trailer assists in the transport of the water equipment. Kayaks are also available in the camp. Organized kayak and canoe tours are also possible with prior arrangement, and the camp can also be used as a resting and stopping place for water tourers.
At the water tour stop created at the Újiráz bridge on the Sebes-Körös, a mobile pier helps with safe launching and docking. The stop, connected with Várhely, also offers the possibility to create a water tour route.
You can inquire about the conditions for using the canoes and kayaks and the available dates from Róbert Nagy; an organized water tour can also be requested with prior arrangement.
Fishing in a peaceful environment
On the banks of the Sebes-Körös, six established fishing spots await those who want to relax in a quiet, nature-close environment. The crushed stone surface of the fishing spots makes access and the stay on the waterfront more comfortable.
Before your visit, please inquire with the provided contact person about the permits required for fishing, the current rules of the water area, and the use of the fishing spots.
Fishing tickets can be purchased at the Csontos Vadász – Horgász Szaküzlet (Szeghalom, Kossuth u. 10/1.).
Contact: +36 (66) 470 223
Relaxing on the riverbank
An 88-meter-long and 1.5-meter-wide gravel walkway connects the Várhely stop with the waterfront. At the riverbank resting place, two bacon-roasting fire pits, as well as four tables and their corresponding benches, serve the comfort of visitors.
On the embankment crest, a summer shower, a mobile toilet, and mobile changing rooms are available. Near the site, there is a designated parking lot for 15 passenger cars.
When using the outdoor fire pits, the current fire lighting and safety rules must be observed in all cases. Children may only use the fire pits under adult supervision.
Forest programs for children and adults
In the camp area, a 153.5-meter-long, 2-meter-wide forest nature trail helps in the playful discovery of the area’s natural values. The nature trail offers a good location for getting to know the area’s animal and bird life, as well as for holding nature study and school programs.
Nature lovers can also color their program with bird watching and – by observing the current nature conservation and land use rules – herb gathering.
A forest playground consisting of three elements in total, tailored to the needs of two age groups, awaits younger and older children. The outdoor fitness and gymnastic equipment offer opportunities for movement and active recreation.
The playground and outdoor equipment can only be used as intended, at one’s own risk. Children may only use them under the supervision of a parent, teacher, or other adult.
Sport and active leisure
In the camp area, a beach volleyball court, a football field, a streetball court, and table tennis offer sports opportunities. Bicycles can be rented, and the area is also a good starting point for bicycle tours.
For training camps and sports groups, additional sports programs can also be organized in the Szeghalom Sports Hall and Sports Complex by prior arrangement.
Community programs and events
In the camp, a 50-square-meter outdoor performance space, a 15-square-meter stage, and 30 wooden seats provide space for smaller cultural programs, community events, activities, and camp events.
The venue can also be used for holding craft activities, as well as leisure and thematic camps. With prior arrangement, it can also host family events, friendly gatherings, meetings of civil and pensioner communities, as well as workplace programs.
Accommodation and camping
The Várhely Camp is suitable for receiving children and youth groups, accommodating a total of 64 people in its buildings. Inthe central accommodation building, there are four rooms with 12 beds each; in a separate building, three double rooms; and a three-room wooden cabin equipped with a kitchen and bathroom for 10 people. Accommodation beyond the bed capacity can be arranged in tents with prior agreement.
The camp has a furnished serving kitchen equipped with a stove and refrigerators, a dining room, an outdoor shower, a built-in oven, and cauldron and bacon-roasting fire pits. Guests can organize their meals on a self-catering basis, and upon request, full catering and food delivery can also be requested involving the daycare kitchen or other external service providers.
Várhely – together, actively in nature
School groups – learning and shared adventures
Nature study, water, sports, and community opportunities can be well combined during class trips, forest school programs, and camps. The accommodation, community spaces, and outdoor venues also make it possible to organize multi-day programs.
Families – experiences for all ages
The playground, the nature trail, the waterfront, the resting places, and the possibility of cooking and roasting together offer an experience for multiple age groups. Várhely is a good choice for a half-day trip, a full-day family program, or a longer rest.
Water tourers – a comfortable stop on the Sebes-Körös
The mobile pier, the slipway, the docking pier, the sanitary block, and the resting place allow for a comfortable stop and launching for those touring on the Sebes-Körös.
Anglers – tranquility on the riverbank
The six designated fishing spots and the quiet environment of the riverbank offer a suitable location for a longer, peaceful recreation.
Groups of friends and communities – programs in nature
The outdoor performance space, the fire pits, the sports facilities, and the accommodation can also be used for the programs of family, friends, civil, and workplace communities.
Prices and fees
The following prices are informative. Before booking, please always inquire about the current fees, the conditions of use, and available dates.
Accommodation and camping
- daytime stay: 1,800 HUF/person/day;
- accommodation with bed linen usage: 4,200 HUF/person/night;
- tent camping: 1,800 HUF/person.
Water programs
- kayak and canoe rental for 4 hours: 1,000 HUF/person;
- kayak and canoe rental for the whole day: 1,500 HUF/person.
Bicycle rental
- for 4 hours: 800 HUF/person;
- for the whole day: 1,500 HUF/person;
- after this, every started hour: an additional 100 HUF.
Fishing
- daily fishing ticket 2,000 HUF/person – free for overnight guests.
Individual and group needs
For school groups, camps, larger communities, and individual program needs, the institution head may set a special tariff. You can inquire in advance about the offer and booking conditions with the contact person.
Useful information
Address:
Várhely Camp
5520 Szeghalom, topographical number 01109/11
Contact person regarding the camp, water touring, and fishing:
Róbert Nagy, deputy head of institution
Phone: +36 70 775 8406
Opening hours:
The camp welcomes guests between March 1 and December 31, by prior appointment and date coordination. In all cases, please inquire in advance about services outside the high season (May 1 – August 31).
Arrival and departure:
Accommodation can be occupied from 2 PM on the day of arrival and must be vacated by 10 AM on the day of departure. Deviations from this are possible with prior agreement and for a surcharge.
Other important information:
There is no scheduled bus service to the Várhely Camp. Barrier-free access to the camp is currently not provided.
Animals may only be brought into the resort area with prior agreement and for a fee.
Accommodation and service fees must be paid according to the prior agreement, as a general rule on the day of arrival. For groups, the accommodation fee must be settled in a single lump sum.
Smoking is prohibited in the accommodation buildings; smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Storing and consuming food in the rooms is prohibited.
Guests are responsible for the proper use of the equipment and furnishings they have received. Any damage caused or detected, as well as accident-prone malfunctions, must be reported immediately to the camp’s contact person.
By using the camp, guests accept the house rules.
Operator:
Szeghalom Cultural and Leisure Center, Library and Museum Collection of Public Interest
Head of Institution:
Helga Prokics-Hajdu
Phone: +36 20 623 0258
E-mail: muvhaz.szeghalom@gmail.com
Websites:
www.szeghalmonvagyok.hu
www.szeghalom.hu
Discover Szeghalom and its surroundings!
The Várhely program can be easily combined with the cultural, natural, and sports opportunities of Szeghalom. If you spend more time in the area, it’s worth visiting:
- the city center of Szeghalom and Szabadság (Liberty) Square;
- the „History in Uniform” permanent uniform and weapon exhibition;
- the exhibitions of the Museum Collection of Public Interest;
- the city library and its park;
- the Sports Hall and the Sports Complex;
- the surroundings of the Sebes-Körös and Berettyó rivers;
- the Light Railway Memorial;
- the Memorial Park of the Árpád Dynasty Kings;
- the Vésztő-Mágor Historical Memorial;
- the Kastélypark Baths in Füzesgyarmat;
- the Great Bustard Reserve of the Körös-Maros National Park in Dévaványa.
The times of the programs, opening hours, and conditions of visit may change, so it is worth checking the official platforms of the given location before departure.
Plan your Várhely program!
Would you like to go on a trip, camp, go on the water, or organize a community program? Contact us and book an appointment!
Information and booking: Róbert Nagy, deputy head of institution
Phone: +36 70 775 8406
General institutional contact:
E-mail: muvhaz.szeghalom@gmail.com
Phone: +36 20 623 0258
Gallery and videos
Get to know the atmosphere of Várhely, the natural environment of the Sebes-Körös, and the new tourist services with the help of our pictures and videos!
About the project
Project title: Active tourism developments in the Várhely area of Szeghalom
Project ID: TOP_PLUSZ-6.1.3-21-BS1-2022-00008
Beneficiary: Municipality of Szeghalom City
Contracted support amount: 127,000,000 HUF
Planned completion of the project: September 30, 2026.
The aim of the project is to expand Szeghalom’s active tourism offerings and to connect the city and the Szeghalom section of the Sebes-Körös river into the water tourism network of the Körös region.
Within the framework of the development, a mobile pier, a slipway, a riverbed access road, a docking pier, a sanitary block, a pedestrian path, a riverbank resting place, and a parking lot were established at the Várhely stop. For the water programs, six touring canoes, paddles, life jackets, and a transport trailer are available.
In the area of the Várhely Camp, an outdoor performance space and stage, a forest playground, fitness and gymnastic equipment, a forest nature trail, and six fishing spots were completed. Another water tour stop was established with a mobile pier at the Újiráz bridge.
The investment creates new opportunities for families, school and youth groups, water tourers, anglers, as well as those seeking active and nature-close recreation. The development can contribute to increasing the awareness of Várhely, extending the tourist season, and increasing the number of guest nights spent in Szeghalom.
The project was implemented with the support of the European Union.
