Tolvaj-árok circular hike

The Tolvaj-árok (meaning "Thieves' Ravine") is a wild and romantic valley in the Sopron Hills, where the salamander is often spotted as a welcome guest.

Route
Sopron Children’s and Youth Camp – Tolvaj-árok Nature Trail (Béla Spring, Alfréd Bartokos Memorial Stone, Postman’s Totem Pole) – Lajos Bella Memorial – Burial Mound Reconstruction – Celtic Earthwork – Sopron Children’s and Youth Camp

Getting there
The starting point can be easily reached by public transport (local Bus No. 3 – Brennbergbánya line) or by car. The bus stop and parking area are located in front of the former Pioneer Camp, now known as the Sopron Children’s and Youth Camp.

BUS TIMETABLE – LINE 3

Distance: 4.8 km
Elevation gain: 224 meters
Difficulty: MEDIUM

If you follow the Tolvaj-árok Nature Trail along the blue cross trail marker, you’ll discover fascinating natural and cultural landmarks. From the Postman’s Totem Pole, continue on the blue line, then switch to the green triangle to return to your starting point.

If you leave the blue trail for a short detour, you’ll arrive at the Sopron–Várhely Archaeological Heritage Trail, which presents the most important prehistoric archaeological site in the Sopron region: Várhely.

Here you’ll find the memorial of archaeologist Lajos Bella, who first excavated these Iron Age burial mounds. The site features a reconstructed Hallstatt-era tumulus (burial mound) and a reconstructed timber house. The mounds are spread around the remains of a 2,700-year-old early Iron Age hillfort.

Returning to the green triangle trail, the route leads back through an ancient Celtic earthwork, eventually bringing you to the road that connects Sopron and Brennbergbánya, and your starting point at the camp.