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Gerecse50
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Hikers at the Gerecse 50 performance routePhoto: Csanádi Márton, Hungarian Hiking Association
Among domestic challenge hikes, one of the longest-standing and most popular is the Gerecse 50. Since 1982, the event has been organized every third Saturday in April, and one section of the hike is the 20-kilometer route, which aims to showcase not only the sport experience but also the beauty and uniqueness of the Gerecse landscape.
The main attraction of the Gerecse challenge hikes lies primarily in the communal experience. Many see the event starting from Tatabánya as a friendly or family program, where all age groups from children to the elderly are present. Picturesque forest scenery, flowery meadows, splendid panoramas, and comfortable terrain characterize the route distances, which combined with excellent organization and good logistics provide favorable conditions for those seeking relatively easy success or beginner challenge hikers.
Gerecse 20
The 20-kilometer distance touches spectacular and notable points in Gerecse, such as the János spring originating at the border of Tatabánya, the rocky hillside of Kopasz-Bükk, the charming Vértessolna, the colorful fields of Malom-dűlő, and the panoramic Turul statue towering over Tatabánya. The latter is touched by all four distances of the hike, so it has become a symbol not only of Tatabánya but also of the Gerecse challenge hikes.
The route can, of course, be walked anytime outside the challenge hike day as well.
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Start and finish location: Tatabánya, Megyeháza square, tour center. Free toilets are available in the parking garage under the square for hikers. The square is spacious, making its catchment area ideal for waiting and arriving hikers.
Start time: 09:00 – 11:00
Time limit: 6 hours
Registration: mandatory online registration. On-site registration is not possible.
Participant limit: 2000 people
Checkpoints (3):
Due to the extraordinary situation in 2021, a reduced number of checkpoints remain this year as well, as past years' experiences have shown that the hike worked well this way. The following checkpoints monitor passage contactlessly with code readers:
- Vértessolna
- Kis-rét
- Turul statue
Other Gerecse challenge hikes are available on Természetjáró.
The detailed description of the hike can be read under the Route Description menu.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
- On the day of the Gerecse challenge hike, cycling and hiking with dogs are strictly prohibited due to accident risk and the possibility of animal cruelty, as in such a large crowd animals can only be led on a leash and muzzled for long hours.
- If you feel you cannot complete the distance or have to give up due to injury, Vértessolna is the primary location where this is possible.
Tips and suggestions
Roadbook
Itinerary
According to the IVV (International Federation of Popular Sports) route marking recommendation, a uniform blue dot marking assists hikers along the entire Gerecse 20 route.
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From the start, we head north on Komáromi street following the P+ marking.
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After about 1 km, we turn right onto Kós Károly street, but we do not follow the street line; instead, we go straight through the houses.
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We cross road 1 and the M1 motorway via an underpass.
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We continue left on Szőlőhegy street up to Szanatóriumi road. Meanwhile, we leave the P+ marking.
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On the other side of the road, we turn right and continue among the trees to the János spring.
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From there, follow the P● marking again.
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Soon, for a short section, we travel together with the P+ marking; from then on, follow this latter.
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The P band joins in; follow the left branch toward Vaskapu.
- After Szende cave, we separate from the longer distance route and continue on the P marking to the border of Vértessolna.
- The P+ leads into the main street of the settlement.
- We leave on the K● marking heading south.
- The K● marking will change to S● after the Bundschu spring rest area.
- When we reach the S marking, continue on the right branch for a short section.
- After Kis-rét, we join the P+ marking.
- At Nagy-rét, we turn left onto the P marking.
- This marking leads to the Turul statue, then down the stairs back to Komáromi street, where turning left soon brings us to the finish in Tatabánya.
Detailed description of the route
Our tour starts at Megyeháza square in Tatabánya. From the square, heading north along Komáromi street, we reach the P+ marking near the county library, which we follow straight through the central parts of Tatabánya. After residential areas, passing under the motorway, we first enter weekend cottage areas, then forested areas, from where shortly after we arrive at the developed resting place of János spring.
From here, our path starts to ascend, while following the P● marking, then turning left onto the P+ marking, and finally switching to P. At the end of the prolonged ascent, we reach the top of Hajagos, where various tour routes branch off. Our tour continues straight ahead on the P marking. After further climbs, we travel through pleasant, gently spread forest, then descend steeply to Vértessolna (1st checkpoint).
Leaving the village southwards, we continue on the K● marking, crossing wide roads and vast fields. Later, from Bundschu spring, we follow the S● marking until it merges into the S marking. Turning right here, we soon pass the ruins of the Kis-rét hunting lodge (2nd checkpoint). After the ruined house, a few dozen meters later, we return to the P+ marking, soon switching to P. After a mild but prolonged climb, we arrive at the emblematic Turul statue (3rd checkpoint).
After enjoying the panorama, continuing on the P marking, we descend through a serpentine stairway to Tatabánya, where we shortly join the P● marking. Turning left, we walk along the now familiar route back to Megyeháza square, just a few hundred meters away.
Kisrét ellenőrzőpont - Gerecse teljesítménytúra
Turul ellenőrzőpont - Gerecse teljesítménytúra
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- It is worth traveling to the starting point by train, as Tatabánya railway station is only a few hundred meters away. The Tatabánya bus station is also located here.
If you arrive for the challenge hike and have not booked accommodation in the city the night before, arrive well before the start to avoid missing it due to possible train delays!
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
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To get from the railway station to the starting point, start on Mozdony street. Descend into the underpass at the Győri road intersection, then go up on the landscaped area opposite the corner of the plaza. Cutting through the park, we soon reach a staircase that leads us to Megyeháza square (220 m).
Parking
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The parking garage under Megyeháza square has space for several hundred cars, and parking is free on weekends. Additionally, parking is available along the roads, in surrounding residential areas, near the railway station, and in large-capacity areas of nearby department stores, though only to a limited extent.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
- Gerecse, Vértes, Velence Hills tourist guide
Author’s map recommendations
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
- Very well broken-in boots. (Never start a longer route with newly purchased hiking shoes!)
- Effective protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
- Raincoat and warmer clothes for cold weather.
- If you sweat a lot, bring another top so you can change between the two during the hike!
- Spare fluids and food to replenish between checkpoints. Only bring food moderately; drinks should be water only! Some apples can also be helpful. It is not recommended to eat and carry more than four sandwiches during the challenge hike.
- In case of strong sunshine, hat and sunscreen use are advised.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions