There's no need to go far from Budapest for a hike in a fairytale landscape as nature trails lead to magical hidden corners of the forests surrounding the Hungarian capital. Here we suggest five hiking trails so you can walk through your own fantasy story.
This spot between Pilisszentkereszt and Csobánka hides a magically romantic landscape. Trees reach to the sky as sunlight peeks through the branches make Dera Gorge like something out of Lord of the Rings. Evening twilight and mist, the fallen trees and limestone give the impression of a forgotten endless woodland.
Wild and mystical
Holdvilág-árok triggers your imagination not only with its appearance but also
with its name, referring to moonlight. Dragons, swamp monsters and
big-bearded druids could easily live here between the rocks and trees, in the
dense forest. This is one of most popular valleys near Budapest, set between Pomáz and Esztergom, and
the 5km-long hike there and back makes for a comfortable walk of two hours or so. The trail passes landmarks such as Remete Cave, the Meteor
Létra 'Ladder' and Domini Spring. Fallen trees and roots line the way, adding to the illusion of being in a fantasy novel.
The trail through hidden Hunyadi Island features soft green curtains of leaves and arch-like gates of winding plants, tucked away in Hárosi Bay where people only rarely enter. The unspoilt
nature, wild grape ceilings and birdsong evoke the lost world of medieval legend.
Where the
northern outskirts of Budapest meet Solymár, Jegenye Valley leads to a
historic castle and panoramic tower, via a gushing waterfall, idyllic streams
and hidden meadows. Driving along Hidegkúti út or
stopping off at Shell Well, you’re only a few steps, ideally
in decent hiking boots, from the woodland path to the Jegenye
Valley. This light, relatively short hike of
just under 6km can be completed in 90 minutes if you’re a serious walker. The
path leads alongside Paprikás Stream, where you should
follow the yellow trail and the blue Mária signs, easily
visible on the trees and bridges. Along the way there is also Rózsika
Spring, named after a lady who took poorer children around the woods.
Sadly, its waters have not been drinkable since the
1980s. With its mossy rocks, winding
trails, wooden bridges over creeks, waterfall, spring and castle,
Jegenye Valley is ideal for families, dog
walkers and romantic couples.
Nyakas-kő and its surroundings make a great, challenging hike as well as
a comfortable walk up there if the right path is chosen. A circular
hiking trail leads up to Nyakas-kő from Biatorbágy, and has both a shorter (13km) and a longer (25km) version. But
just start to walk and you won’t get lost as somehow every
road leads to the destination. The great advantage of the hiking places
around this small town is that there are always one
or two options you can switch between. If rocks and hills don't do it for you,
you can take a walk to nearby Lake Peca, or cycle
there through the famous viaduct, a real pleasure in spring.
