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Four priority sections are targeted for completion ahead of the 2027 cycling season, with a larger northern shore project scheduled to finish by 2029.
Minister of Transport and Investment Vitézy said sections of the popular route suffer from deteriorating surfaces, asphalt lifted by tree roots and paths so narrow that cyclists traveling in opposite directions struggle to pass each other.
The larger project will rebuild and widen 14.4 km of cycling infrastructure between Tihany and Balatonfűzfő. It covers seven communities: Tihany, Balatonfüred, Csopak, Paloznak, Alsóörs, Balatonalmádi and Balatonfűzfő.
Dedicated two-way cycle paths will generally be 3.3 meters wide. The project includes six cycling bridges and two new railway crossings equipped with warning lights and half-barriers, alongside new route alignments, resurfacing and traffic safety improvements.
Land acquisition is underway, and construction tenders are expected to be launched before the end of 2026. According to Vitézy, the project will use EU funding previously blocked under the rule-of-law conditionality procedure and released on Oct. 13.
A separate program led by road operator Magyar Közút will renovate four particularly deteriorated sections using domestic budget funding.
Between Balatonakali and Zánka, a 1,625-meter section will be completely rebuilt, including a new cycling bridge.
A 1,521-meter woodland section between Balatonkenese and Balatonfűzfő will also be renovated. Using the former alignment of Route 71, the project will replace the existing 2.5-meter-wide surface with a new, 3-meter-wide path.
Near Badacsonyörs, work will cover 1,696 meters of the route between Ábrahámhegy and Badacsonytomaj railway station. Vitézy said root damage, cracks and a usable path width reduced by half in places made the work particularly urgent. The renovation will connect with a section completed this spring.
In Badacsonytomaj, a further 278 meters will be resurfaced, with the existing pavement milled and a new, 4-centimeter asphalt wearing course installed.
Procurement procedures for these four projects are already underway. Work is expected to begin in spring 2027, with completion targeted for that year’s cycling season.
Vitézy said the Lake Balaton cycling circuit serves both tourism and everyday travel between lakeside communities. Improving the route could also help make the region more attractive outside the peak summer season.
He described the projects as part of an approach focused on developing the entire transport network, with roles for railways, roads, public transport and cycling.
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