Hungarians’ favorite narrow-gauge railroads are clearly the Lillafüred and Szilvásvárad State Forest Railroads, based on an online survey by Csodásmagyarország.hu. The Gemenc narrow-gauge railroad ranks third, behind the two Bükk railroads.
Hungarians most enjoy traveling on the Lillafüred State Forest Railway, according to an online survey conducted by Csodásmagyarország.hu in the spring of 2026, with 5,554 participants. The narrow-gauge railway, which winds its way from Miskolc to Garadna, topped the rankings with 28% of the votes. Close behind was the country’s steepest narrow-gauge railway, the Szilvásvárad line, which received 24% of the votes cast. Third place went to Hungary’s only floodplain forestry narrow-gauge railway, the Gemenc line, with nine percent of the vote.
Tied for fourth place, each with six percent of the vote, are the Budapest Children’s Railway—where elementary school students operate the trains—and the Királyrét Forest Railway, which runs between Kismaros and Királyrét in the Börzsöny Mountains.
The Nagybörzsöny Forest Railway, Hungary’s only mountain railway with a switchback track, finished in fifth place on the popularity list with five percent of the vote. Three railways tied for sixth place: the Gyöngyös Mátra Railway, the Balatonfenyves Railway, and the Mecsek Narrow-Gauge Railway each received three percent of the votes. Four railways are tied for seventh place: the Kemence Museum Railway, the Pálházi Forest Railway in Zemplén, the Nagycenk Museum Railway, and the Debrecen Amusement Park and Zoo narrow-gauge railway, each of which received two percent of the votes.
A forest narrow-gauge train ride is an excellent activity during the summer, whether you are traveling with family, as a couple, or with friends.
The 14-kilometer Lillafüred narrow-gauge railway runs through the Bükk Mountains and Diósgyőr, passing through two tunnels and over the picturesque Mélyvölgyi Viaduct, all of which lend a special atmosphere to the journey.
While riding the train, you can explore the area’s attractions: the Csókás Rest Area, St. Stephen’s Cave, and Molnár Rock are all easily accessible. It is also worth visiting Lake Hámori, Palotaszálló, the Lillafüred Waterfall, and the ancient ironworks in Újmassa. The railway also takes you to the trout farm, where visitors can sample freshly grilled trout.
The Szilvásvárad State Forest Railway transports visitors from Fatelep Station all the way to the 17-meter-high Fátyol Waterfall.
During the five-kilometer journey, the train runs through the stream and sometimes over the cliffs of the valley, offering scenic views of the valley, and the beautiful forests of the Bükk Mountains only enhance the scenery.
The train passes by the Szalajka Fish Pond and then arrives at its final stop in the picturesque Gloriett clearing.
The Gemenc State Forest Railway winds its way for 30 kilometers through the protected Gemenc Forest, which is unparalleled even in Europe. Its route follows the courses of the Danube and Sió rivers, while passengers get a glimpse of the unique wildlife of the floodplain forest. The little train departs from the Ecotourism Center in Pörböly and runs to Malomtelelő. The area can be explored on foot, by bike, or even by canoe. The floodplain forest is known for its distinctive landscape and rich wildlife.
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Via Csodásmagyarország.hu, Turizmus.com; Featured photo: Wikimedia Commons/Szalax
