#crossip

The Action Plan focuses on the middle Ipoly Valley, a high-potential yet still little-known cross-border tourism area along the Hungarian–Slovak border. The region’s natural landscape—rolling hills, wide valleys and the meandering Ipoly River—offers excellent conditions for hiking, cycling and water tourism. Its towns and Palóc villages preserve significant cultural heritage, while existing attractions, though currently fragmented, already show strong visitor appeal and lie close to major tourism source markets such as Budapest and Lučenec.

The Action Plan aims to connect these point-like attractions into a coherent, cross-border active tourism network. Hiking, cycling and water routes will be linked, waymarked and supported with improved services. The development builds on earlier Interreg investments and introduces a long-term governance tool: a jointly adopted governance model to ensure coordinated maintenance and sustainable management.

Hiking developments include an adventure trail around Tábi Lake (Varsány), a new scenic trail linking the Páris-patak valley with the Nógrádszakál Calvary, and the renewal of the Őr-hegy educational trail in Ipolynyék with interactive elements, a geo-heritage “Volcano Park” and a viewpoint. A multifunctional trail hub will be created in Szécsény–Benczúrfalva, while Szécsény will introduce a digital city walk.

Cycling developments include designated routes on existing roads, standardised rest areas in four municipalities, and bike rental and charging facilities in Szécsény and Ipolynyék. Local tourism providers will receive bike-friendly training.

Water tourism developments include the acquisition of mobile docks, water sports equipment and signage, along with tools enabling easy transition between cycling and canoeing.

Heritage interpretation will be enhanced through interactive upgrades at the Cycling Museum and at the exhibition in the former border-guard barracks in Bussa.

Additional elements include land-art photo points in all participating settlements and new accommodation capacity: a small caravan campsite in Bussa and a bike-friendly tourist/pilgrim lodging in Varsány.

Expected results include a well-connected active tourism network, increased visitor numbers and stays, strengthened local economies, improved environmental awareness, and sustainable long-term management of the cross-border tourism offer.