Barrier-free on the Selyem-rét nature trail in Ócsa

Itinerary:

• Follow the S sign from the parking lot to reach Selyem-rét.
• From Selyem-rét, return to the parking lot by the same route.

Detailed description of the route:

Once, near the meeting of the Danube-Tisza sand ridge and the Danube valley, stretched a huge marshland system nearly 100 km long, commonly called turján. Due to water management, cultivation, and peat mining over the past few hundred years, the area has unfortunately shrunk significantly. The remaining, extremely valuable area is part of the Ócsa Protected Landscape Area, home to rare plant and animal species.

Our route starts at the edge of the Great Forest, from a spacious parking lot bordered by a mixed forest of black poplar, Hungarian ash, and hornbeam, parallel to the road. The trail starts from the right end of the parking lot, blocked by a barrier to motor traffic. Unfortunately, the site's managers did not consider people using aids or strollers when setting the otherwise excellent barrier-free forest path: a wooden post embedded in concrete next to the barrier and a centuries-old spreading tree next to it create a narrow space to maneuver, further complicated by a slight downhill dip.

This obstacle is actually the physically most challenging section of our hike. We then proceed along a gently curved, stable forest trail edged with Hungarian ash, oak, and hornbeam. The centuries-old trees towering tens of meters above us are clearly thriving here, as are we. Along the route, gentle uphill and downhill sections alternate. An indicator of the easy terrain is that the total elevation difference over the entire hike is less than 50 m. As we progress in this beautiful, picturesque environment, we can observe in the sparse undergrowth the small yellow-flowered marsh St. John's-wort blooming in spring, and in wetter areas the peat-covered, black, wet soil-bound, so-called root-stilt alder trees. Due to the wet environment, these trees occasionally topple over in extreme wind and raise their "wolvish" roots to the sky, further strengthening the magically twisting character characteristic of the landscape. A few hundred meters later, we follow a left-turning side trail to reach the first resting place, a real timber matuzalem fallen skeleton. The tree with branches eternally raised like horns, beside a thick moss-covered little roof, bench, and table, recalls the fairy-tale settings of our childhood. Following this, along the sloping forest path, we can already observe smaller turján areas, and the alder trees start to replace the diverse-leaved ash and oaks.

We slowly approach the wildest section of the nature trail, signaled by a cacophony of frog concerts and bird whistles: turning left in a funnel shape and wide curve, the peat swamp forest unfolds beside us, playing with majestic, fleeting, pure, and frightening mixed impressions. The crystal-clear stagnant water mirrors become rusty and black opal as they deepen, with live and dead tree branch-like protrusions rising. Frogs rest on mossy, decaying tree trunks, and if we watch long enough, sunbathing marsh turtles, water snakes, butterflies, woodpeckers, and water birds may also appear.

Further on, the forest closes from the left, and on the right desolate, sky-reaching, dry dead branches indicate that this marshy magical world continues beyond the nature trail. The landscape calms and gradually widens; looking right, we understand why the route was named "Selyem-rét" (Silky Meadow). An amphitheater-shaped spacious field stretches before us, covered with fresh, silky grass inviting with a small rest area and bench in its middle, guarded by forests stretching several hundred meters around. Although the real Selyem-rét awaits a bit further, it is worth enjoying the poignant, gentle beauty of this landscape. Here, there is hardly any change in elevation; crossing a small creek feeding the marsh, the "silky grass" sea continues with small transitions. Neglected connecting roads (some larger ones) open to the left, but these areas are not barrier-free. If the trail’s management makes these accessible in the future, smaller loops and circuits could be created on the route.

Heading further, following a visibly maintained, cute fenced cabin on the right, we arrive at the long, forest-bordered clearing that gave the route its name. Here, a playground that has seen better days, constructed, rotten rain shelter tent roofs, and wooden benches mark the end of the nature trail. At Selyem-rét, well-built fire pits, forest pit toilets, and accessible tables are also found. Although trash bins matching the environment are present, it is advisable to take back your waste, as regular emptying of bins seems not to be solved.

The "silky grass" meadow is an ideal place for social life: excellent for sports, games, and picnics. The meadow narrows towards its far end, the road leading away gently curves to the left and branches in two directions. A small wooden booth and a hide-like structure mark the end of the barrier-free path. (The S sign continues towards Inárcs.) It is conceivable that a circular path may be established in the future, but we are still far from it. After resting, our way back follows the same line as going there, but we will not regret experiencing again the "great conductor" guided, bird-song loud, magical landscape composed of swamp forests, silky meadows, and fresh air.