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The Mecsek narrow-gauge railway could even be a “real” forest railwayPhoto: Abelovszky Tamás, Hungarian Hiking Association
The situation of the Mecsek narrow-gauge railway (namely that it rattles on a hilltop, far from any major railway connections) shows that it is not a traditional forest line. Based on the track (760 mm gauge) and vehicles (a C50 type locomotive and three open passenger cars), it could be anywhere in the country – its uniqueness lies in the fact that it curves through the forest for only 577 meters and that it was built in 1962 as a community work along with the zoo and amusement park opened at the same time.
The amusement park has already closed its doors, but the trains have been rattling merrily on the track for nearly 70 years now, on a track built to be as winding as possible given the conditions. This is thanks to a dedicated locomotive driver, István Andróczi, who in 1989 took over the operation in the form of an enterprise after a three-year operational break and then established the Mecsek Narrow-Gauge Railway Foundation. To ensure succession, a railway camp is organized every summer for children interested. The sight of a colorful steam horse pulling cars on the narrow gauge deep in the forest is captivating – it is worth a visit.
Stations:
Prices:
- One-way: 500 HUF/person
- Return ticket: 800 HUF/person
- For groups over 20 people: 250 HUF/person
- Free for children up to 2 years old
Timetable:
- January 1 - March 14: Sundays and holidays: 10:00-16:00
- March 15 - April 30: Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 10:00-17:00
- May 1 - until the first Sunday of September: every day 10:00-18:00
- September-October: Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 10:00-17:00
- November - December: Sundays 10:00-16:00
Trains depart from both stations every 20-25 minutes or on demand.
Data are for information purposes only and reflect the status as of March 2025. Always check the service provider's website before arrival, and if you find discrepancies, please let us know!
Author’s recommendation
- It is worth combining the narrow-gauge railway trip with a visit to the TV tower on Misina or the Pécs Zoo.
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List of narrow-gauge railways in Hungary on Természetjáró.hu
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- When walking between railway tracks, do not forget that special trains or track maintenance vehicles can arrive at any time, and the forest is surprisingly good at soundproofing. Always keep enough distance: the largest vehicles can be up to 2.5 meters wide, thus they extend 70 cm on both sides from the rail, to which possibly an overhanging load or an open door can add.
- Do not walk between the rails, on the switches, or within ten meters of them: these areas are usually oily, the sleepers are slippery here, and the switches contain many tripping hazards, which can be especially hidden at night or under snow.
- Never switch the track yourself: the counterweight can fall on your foot, the moving railhead can pinch hands and feet, and a train arriving on a misaligned switch can cause an accident even at very low speed.
- Keep a few meters' distance in front of or behind a stationary vehicle when crossing tracks: the train or its locomotive can start moving at any time without special signaling.
- The surface of the rails is slippery even when covered with thin rust in wet weather.
Roadbook
At the terminus located at Dömörkapu, visitors who want to take the narrow-gauge railway are immediately surrounded by a strange, pleasant feeling. The small engine shed quietly nestled in the forest, as well as the "station building," exudes a particularly family-like atmosphere. The trains operate on demand according to the timetable on the track just over half a kilometer long: they even start the short train consisting of three cars for two passengers, which is pulled back and forth on the track by the true workhorse of Hungarian narrow-gauge railways, a C50 locomotive (number 4509).
At the station, when taking photos with the train, all sorts of railway accessories quickly come out from the train driver's set: railway hats, train dispatch discs, signal flags help among others the creation of authentic pictures. Departure is signaled by a bell placed on the locomotive, and the short trip to the Zoo station is made with the train pushed, meaning the locomotive is at the back. Although the track could run straight, it leads through the forest describing small curves. The short trip back can be just as enjoyable as the outward journey, but you can also walk back to Dömörkapu station along the asphalt running parallel to the rails. The zoo terminus naturally offers visiting the institution built in community work similar to the railway, while from Dömörkapu numerous hiking trails start toward both the city center and the heart of Misina and the Mecsek Mountains.
Mecseki kisvasút (Dömörkapu állomás)
Mecseki kisvasút (Állatkert állomás)
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- You can reach the narrow-gauge railway station named Zoo by local buses 34, 34Y, 35, 35Y departing from the Main Station; get off at the stop called Zoo.
- Dömörkapu station can be reached from the Main Station by local buses 34, 34Y; travel to the stop named Dömörkapu (narrow-gauge railway).
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- From the local bus stop at Zoo and the parking lot next to the entrance, you need to walk about 300 meters northeast along Ángyán János Street to the narrow-gauge railway station called Zoo.
- The local bus stop Dömörkapu (narrow-gauge railway) is located directly beside the narrow-gauge railway station and parking lot.
Parking
- Parking spaces are comfortably available at the parking lot located by the entrance of the zoo.
- You can also find parking next to Dömörkapu station.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
- You do not need any special equipment to travel the entire narrow-gauge railway.
- If walking along the railway tracks is planned, due to the crushed stone bed, a strong, closed shoe is definitely needed.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions