Istállós-kő (959 m a.s.l.) is one of Hungary's most rewarding summits — the third highest peak in the Bükk range and the seventh highest point in the entire country. What truly sets it apart, however, is the ancient cave hidden in its flank: Istállós-kői Cave, home to archaeological finds dating back 30,000–40,000 years.
Perched on the south-western rim of the Bükk Plateau, the peak rewards visitors with beautiful forest scenery and open views across the highlands. The landscape shifts dramatically through the seasons — beech forests glow green in spring, offer cool shade in summer, burst into gold and amber in autumn, and take on a stark, wintry beauty when frost settles in. The terrain is moderate, and well-marked trails make this a great destination for hikers of most experience levels.
How to reach the summitThe cave yielded a glacial-age fauna of 66 species — the richest Aurignacian-era assemblage ever found in Europe — along with bones of cave bears, reindeer, ancient bison, and a prehistoric hearth now displayed at the Hungarian National Museum.
Source: Wikipedia (license CC BY-SA 4.0)