Nógrád
Nograd is the least populous among all 19 Hungarian counties, and ranks second to last in terms of territory. It's situated in the northernmost part of the country, on the border with Slovakia. The landscape is much more varied than in other parts of Central Europe. Matra, Cserhat and Borzsony are the mountain ranges that occupy most of the county's territory. In spite of the fact that they're the highest Hungarian mountains, they're actually not that steep and very easily accessible hiking destinations. The river Ipoly marks the Slovakian border, and is a pleasant summer retreat for keen swimmers and nature lovers. Plenty of palaces, churches and convents draw the attention of tourists to the countless traditional villages and small towns. The administrative centre of the county is Salgotarjan, famed for its castle ruins.