Lake Hámori is an artificially enlarged lake tucked into the forested hills of the Bükk Mountains, right by the picturesque village of Lillafüred near Miskolc. It's the kind of place where green hillsides mirror in calm water and the air smells of pine and damp earth — perfect for a lakeside stroll, a rest by the water, or a lazy pedal boat ride.

The lake was created around 1800 by damming the Garadna and Szinva streams, originally to supply water for a nearby ironworks. Today it reaches an average depth of nine metres — deeper than Lake Balaton. In summer the shallow water near the shore warms up to a pleasant 20-22°C, ideal for a swim, while in autumn the surrounding Bükk forests turn gold and red for some truly memorable views. A walking path runs along the southern shore, dotted with small resting spots where you can simply sit and take in the view.

• Lillafüred station (Lillafüred State Forest Railway) — head north, easy walk, just a few minutes
• Palotaszálló bus stop (lines 5 and 15) — line 15 stops right at the lake, very convenient

• Swimming is possible in roughly half of the lake; a pedal boat rental operates near the Palotaszálló hotel
• Boating is seasonal, run by a local operator
• Water levels are sometimes lowered for flood-control reasons

Locals sometimes call it the 'bottomless lake' — legend has it that a spring at its centre reaches a mud depth of 25-30 metres and was once believed to have healing powers.