Szalajka-forrásbarlang

The spring cave of the Szalajka stream in the Szalajka Valley at Szilvásvárad, Bükk Mountains. A narrow, fissure-like start leads to a steeply descending passage: the old end point at about -18 m was passed in 2018, a shaft bottom was reached at -22 m and a guideline now runs to -55 m, with the cave continuing to at least -65 m. A formerly notorious restriction was enlarged in 2017 so it can be passed safely in sidemount. Explorers recommend mixed-gas sidemount diving for further work.

Facts

Region: Hungary – Caves & Mines
Area: North Hungarian Mountains
Depth: 0–55 m
Level: advanced
Current: moderate
Type: cave
Coordinates: 48.072611, 20.415004 (approximate)
Highlights: cold karst spring cave in the Bükk, steeply descending shaft, former legendary restriction widened for sidemount, guideline to -55 m, continues to at least -65 m
Permit: Custodian consent from the Bükk National Park Directorate (Nature Conservation Act §51(4); Decree 17/2021 (IV.9.) AM Annex 4: Szalajka-forrásbarlang max 5×2 persons/day), with a dive leader holding MBSZ cave dive-leader + 'cave diver III' (or equivalent), for a specific date; decision within 15 days. Research dives need a separate research permit (the Amphora Búvár Klub's expired on 31 Dec 2018). Realistically only organised through a club or research team.
Issuer / contact: Bükk National Park Directorate
- Phone: +3636411581
- Email: titkarsag@bnpi.hu
- Website: https://www.bnpi.hu/
- phone/e-mail from public listings (3304 Eger, Sánc u. 6.), sources differ on phone - verify
Tips: Technical, cold-water, sidemount cave dive in tight passages – only for experienced full-cave/trimix divers. Non-research diving is allowed by decree in very small numbers (max 5 × 2 persons/day) with dated consent from the Bükk National Park Directorate and a qualified dive leader. No commercial organiser; dives have been run by the Amphora Búvár Klub under research permits.

Szalajka-forrásbarlang

Facts

Sources