Szárliget – Koldusszállás (OKT 26th day tour)

We continue the National Blue Trail starting from the Szárliget train station, heading northeast, now on the southern part of Gerecse. Immediately after leaving the train station, we follow the K signs straight along Tölgyfa Street, soon turning onto a classic path. We climb quite steeply up to Hajagos, a 350-meter peak towering above Szárliget, almost entirely covered with forest, so our efforts are not rewarded with views. Along the Hajagos ridge, we descend gently to the saddle of Zuppa-tető – and with a short detour, we can enjoy a beautiful panorama from the summit of the hill.

To do this, start at the junction along the P or K▲ marked paths and you can conquer the Zuppa-tető with a loop hike. Here, the limestone forming Gerecse appears on the surface on an exposed rocky grassland with karst shrub forest. Thanks to this exposure, we see the landscape from west to southeast in a semicircle, from Alsógallá to Szárig, the railway line, and in the background, the hills of Vértes – including the highest, Nagy-Csákány. On the Zuppa-tető, there is a wooden cross, and a fire pit made from stones shows that it is well known.

Returning to the junction, we descend along a forestry road and then through agricultural fields to the M1 motorway on the side of Hajagos. The National Blue Trail only temporarily uses this route; until the motorway expansion is completed, we must cross over it via an overpass. In Nagyegyházá, there is a subtle memorial site dedicated to the former coal mining, and it is also worth seeing the wooden bell tower along the road. The main street of the village was originally the first version of the main road No. 1 connecting Budapest to Győr, later the current road alignment was constructed.

Leaving the village turning left beside a factory building with a tall chimney, we walk along fishponds formed by damming the Váli water in the following kilometers. First near the Négyes Lake, then the Kettes and Egyes Lakes. There is no great view of the water surfaces; from the Blue Trail, only some reeds peeking through the trees indicate this as an aquatic habitat. Various paths run beside the lakes: initially a nice tree-lined promenade, then a narrow path, and finally returning to the forest on a dirt road between the fields. The route passes in a pleasant environment and provides several nice views of the surrounding hillsides.

After leaving the lakes, we bypass the summit of Hársas and continue climbing towards Somlyó through hornbeam-oak forest. The Blue Trail reaches a clearing beneath the 447 m high summit of the mountain, where there is a well-equipped rest area and the Somlyóvár hostel welcomes us. Next to its entrance door hangs the National Blue Trail stamp, and nearby there is a bench and table, as well as a fire pit. Its covered porch is always open, making it suitable for overnight bivouacking, but unfortunately, this hostel, formerly maintained by miners from Tatabánya, is not in operation currently – essentially, it can only be regarded as a rain shelter. The wooden house standing under a small group of tall black pines carries some traces of the DIY culture of holiday cottage areas and, thanks to its presence, the broad, flat natural "terrace" of the mountain forms a cozy, atmospheric camp site.

Somlyóvár – Koldusszállás

After stamping, we recommend another detour: by following the PL markings, you can walk out to the Tarján castle ruins on the nearby Kis-Somlyó, only 400 meters away. Today, only the embankments remind of the prehistoric fortress here, from where we continue shortly further to experience a beautiful view eastward, towards Kecskés Lake and the small cottages lining its shore. Returning from the castle, on the clearing, there are two viewpoints with well-trodden paths leading to them through the grass. From these rocky outcrops, we look over the Héreg–Tarján basin, with the 633 m high massif of Nagy-Gerecse dominating the landscape in the background. Looking left, you can also observe the spectacular rock formations of Pes-kő-hegy in the distance – the Blue Trail will pass underneath it.

Returning to the Blue Trail route heading to the Somlyó summit, only a short climb awaits us. Since the main trail does not pass through the summit itself, it is worth making a few minutes’ detour along the K▲ marked path. The site is exciting due to the savanna-like grass that sometimes reaches waist height which we will not encounter elsewhere on this tour; the views are also impressive: from the top we can look almost fully around the mountain at the border of Gerecse.

From Somlyó, descend steeply towards Szénégető on an old, winding forest path under the summit. We join a paved rocky forestry road leading to Tornyópuszta. At the beginning of the 20th century, a narrow-gauge economic railway explored Gerecse here, running from Szárliget via Bálintháza farm, Mesterberek puszta, Tornyópuszta, Tarján and Vértestolna to Héreg, primarily transporting wood. In the area under Pes-kő, around Vértestolna and Pörös hill, today's Blue Trail route follows the corridor of this former forest railway – if the hike feels uneventful, keep in mind that these slopes would have been more challenging with horse or steam traction!

From Tornyópuszta, partly on paved roads, we pass a stone cross under a huge oak and a pleasantly atmospheric resting place before reaching the Tatabánya–Tarján road. The National Blue Trail follows the main road alongside for 200 m towards Tarján, then turning left, it continues on forestry roads in the forest, coinciding with the Horizont trail. This low-difference path passes through hornbeam-oak forest and leads across the Tarján watermill to Koldusszállás, where we find two stamps. The first is placed at the asphalt-covered forestry access road (which also includes a rest area), where it is advisable to finish the hike for the day; turning left after this, a narrow 1 km walk leads to the Fagyűjtőtelep entrance bus stop, from where we can travel home. Turning right, the Blue Trail continues towards the Koldusszállás gamekeeper’s house. The second stamp is placed nearby, on a pole.