18. CSERÉPVÁRALJA, KŐ VALLEY

The valley, accessible from Cserépváralja via a red-marked hiking trail and then a red cross-marked trail, reveals heavily compacted ignimbrite (fire rock). The volcanic sediment, compacted at high temperatures, cooled slowly and developed shrinkage cracks. During subsequent weathering, the cracks widened and the rock body broke into steep, vertically standing pieces and columns.

The valley is 1.1 km long, 50-55 m deep, 100-300 m wide at the top, and 30-80 m wide at the bottom. Its sides are lined with beautiful rectangular fire-cut blocks. The largest ones are 8–10 m high and 2–3 m wide.

The valley is part of the Bükk National Park. It can be visited freely on the tourist trail.