1/5
Guckler trail
In
2018, Budapest's oldest nature trail, the Guckler sétány more than 100 years old, was renovated. This promenade on Hármashatár Hill has long been a popular spot for runners and hikers alike. The trail
can be reached from the Fenyőgyöngye stop on bus route 65 following the blue
signs, then taking a turn at the green cross. This easy walk is lined with boards displaying past and present local history, and lookout points with the Kiscelli Museum, Árpád Bridge and a block of flats known known as Faluház. The trail also features Hungarian-language games for families accessed by QR codes on signboards. With small kids, the almost completely flat, 7km-long circular
path should provide few complaints, while more adventurous youngsters will enjoy Tábor-hegyi Cave on the steep slope (follow the cave sign on the
right and then back on the same path). The end of the
trail is indicated by the sign for Virágos-nyereg, after which you can either walk back
on the same path to the starting point, or turn onto the blue-signed route, a steeper but more
beautiful trail all the way up to the Guckler Lookout. From there,
you can choose between two roads, leading to the car
park. The study trail can also be viewed virtually on this link.
Setting-off point: The Fenyőgyöngye stop on bus route 65. You can also park here along the side of the road, though space is scarce at weekends
Length: An easy 7km. It’s more tiring going up to the cave or following
the blue sign to the Guckler Lookout. Pushchairs not recommended
2/5
Lake Naplás
Many
people visit Naplás for the lake alone, but there is also a short but exciting nature
trail around it. Along this renovated track, parallel with the cycle
path,
you soon reach the floodplain forest, then fields, before returning
to the start via the dam house and embankment. Along the way, you
might also meet many species of birds that live or rest here, egrets,
seagulls and swans, but you can also observe marsh turtles in sunny
weather. Unfortunately, many pond slider turtles have also been fed
into the lake by outsiders. The area around the lake, one of the
largest nature reserves in the capital, is also home to many species
of butterflies and frogs. It’s also worth exploring the winding
promenades of the Cinkotai Forest on the other side of the road and
climb up the new lookout tower opened this year. Food and drink are available at Nap-Plázs by the
car park.
Setting-off
point: Car
park by Naplás út
Length: 3km,
quite flat but not suitable for pushchairs
3/5
Merzse swamp
Once upon a time, Budapest was surrounded by swamps, many of which have since disappeared. One which has survived development is Merzse, out by the airport at the very edge of Budapest. The first signpost of the nature trail is located at Rákoskert station, so it can easily be reached by train. From here, you find the first rest area by walking on a wide dirt road. This is pretty much where the tour starts, following the green frog signs. Keeping to the right, next to the field, you first reach a wooded grove surrounded by willow and poplar trees, then the reeds that are home to many plant and bird species. The last stop is a lookout tower, from which you can observe the rich birdlife of the swamp, so do remember to bring your binoculars. This is perhaps not the most spectacular of nature trails, but it contains a few discoveries and provides a good example of how the city embraces nature reserves, as most of the area around it is built up, with the airport nearby. Kids who love geocaching should find plenty of treasure. In rainy weather, it can get quite muddy, so bring waterproof shoes.
Setting-off point: Rákoskert station
Length: 6km, quite flat but not suitable for pushchairs
4/5
Nagyfejű csajkó nature trail
There
is another walk easily accessible from the Fenyőgyöngye bus stop (see above Guckler trail). This nature trail was unveiled in
2021, so it is one of the newest ones in Budapest. The construction
of this path was among the first projects of the rehabilitation
initiative of the Szép-völgyi forest. The history of this area and
the nature conservation work taking place here are presented at each of the 11 stops, the tenth describing the earth-boring beetle, nagyfejű csajkó, and why the path was named after it. As there are
many hiking trails crossing this one, the track can be continued on
several others, perhaps towards Hármashatár Hill or the Árpád Lookout Tower. Reaching Csajkó field, which used to be an
illegal landfill, a covered rest stop has been set up, with a few wooden toys for kids, shaped like an earth-boring beetle itself, a hawfinch and a European
copper skink waiting on the tiny playground. It’s an ideal, light
walk with small children, but is not recommended with prams because
of the narrower, winding paths on some parts. You won’t find any
eateries along the way, so bring snacks with you. You can refill water bottles from the fountain on Csajkó
field.
Setting-off point: Kecske-hegy car park, accessible from Szépvölgyi út – the driver might let you off between Nyereg út and Szépvölgyi út if you ask nicely.
Length:
1.5km, longer if required. Pushchairs not recommended
5/5
Sárga kör
This favourite kid-friendly trail can even be reached by
the Children's Railway, but
bus 22 also stops here at Szépjuhászné. There is a relatively large car park at the
station, which unfortunately fills up quickly on sunny weekends. From
the other side of the railway tracks, the yellow sign starts uphill on
Nagy-Hárs Hill. The slightly rocky, steeper road is quite short and the Csanádi rest stop is pretty close. From here, the Károly
Kaán Lookout Tower is only a few steps away, from where the road
starts downhill. Unfortunately, it’s not allowed to enter the cave
named after László Bátori, who lived here as a hermit, you can
only peek through a small hole. Then, you can continue the hike on an
easy trail until you reach the conjunction. From here, on the yellow
triangle, you can reach the Makovecz Lookout in a few minutes,
or choose the short nature trail named after István Fekete, which
ends here. If you want to get back to Szépjuhászné, follow the signs of Mária út M or the green circle Schüller út,
a light walk to the start point. There's snack outlet, usually with strudel, a handy carrot to motivate younger ones. At weekends, stews cooked in cauldron are also
available.
Setting-off point: The Szépjuhászné stop on the 22 bus route, crossing the rails at the yellow circle
sign up, then back at the M and green circle signs
Length:
5km, not suitable for pushchairs
