In the footsteps of the Romans on Slovakia’s southernmost bike route

Itinerary

• Turn right on the north side of the Komárom railway station at Rákóczi embankment.
• At the first intersection, turn left and cross the Elisabeth Bridge. (From here, follow EuroVelo6 signs all the way to Štúrovo.)
• After the drawbridge, turn right, then left at the T-junction, going around the Komárom fortress.
• After the boat station, turn right, cross the Váh bridge, then turn right onto the Danube flood protection embankment path.
• Passing Kelemantia, we reach Iža, where at the end there is a lookout tower shaped like a Roman watchtower.
• The embankment leads through Žitava, crossing straight over and bypassing the Peace of Zsitvatorok monument.
• Crossing the edge of Radvaň nad Dunajom along Route 63.
• At the border of Moča, we return to the embankment, which passes the lookout tower on the Danube promenade in Kravany nad Dunajom.
• At the southern border of Obid, turn left into the village center, then right.
• Turn right on Sládkovičova Street, then left at the T-junction.
• After crossing the railway tracks, turn right and zigzag right-left-right to the straight that leads to the center of Štúrovo.
• Cross the Maria Valeria Bridge to Esztergom and reach the Esztergom railway station via Nagy Duna promenade - Árok Street - Terézia Street - Meszéna Street - Móricz Zsigmond Street - Schleiffer Mátyás Street - Budai Nagy Antal Street - Bem Square.

Detailed tour description

Bridges and forts

We leave Komárom railway station heading north toward the Danube. We turn right onto Rákóczi embankment, which leads to the arched, green Elisabeth Bridge. Turning left here, we cross the Danube; one half of the bridge lies in Hungary, the other in Slovakia. Though not immediately obvious, it is worth examining the section between two barriers: this is a drawbridge that splits in the middle, allowing large ships to pass.

Immediately after the bridge, turn right, then left at the T-junction, and cycle alongside the Danube passing the outskirts of Komárno (Révkomárom), following EuroVelo6 signs. The route bypasses the Komárom fortress, which is impressive even from the outside. After the Mongol invasion, the earthworks were converted into a stone castle, and under Matthias Corvinus it functioned as a commercial, military, and economic hub. During the Ottoman wars it was a key fort in the border defense system and saw combat during the 1848–49 revolution. By the late 19th century, it was developed into a fortress system together with Monostor and Igmánd forts on the Danube’s right bank. However, advances in military technology rendered the complex obsolete, after which it served only as a military training site. Today, one bastion houses a lapidarium with Roman stone relics.

Following the route, we reach the mouth of the Váh River and then, after the boat station, turn right to cross a bridge. Shortly after, we turn right again and continue cycling on the Danube embankment path that meanders parallel to the river.

In the Roman Empire

Riding slightly elevated, it feels like watching from a loge. The Danube ribbon peeks through dense tree cover to the right, while fields and settlements alternate on the left. Signposts at junctions clearly mark the way; it is impossible to get lost. After passing Harčáš, on the left road side you notice a “stone fence” — this is Kelemantia or Leányvár, a Roman border fortification’s southern wall. The structure was part of the limes border defense system protecting the Roman Empire. At the roadside, equipped with bike racks and benches, you can learn about its history and explore the ruins that are now UNESCO World Heritage.

Continuing along the embankment, the houses of Iža soon appear. At the big bend at the village edge, a building stands out: the lookout tower shaped like a Roman watchtower, which is accessible from early May to late September for panoramic views. On the opposite side of the embankment during higher water levels, the floodplain forest offers beautiful scenery. Nearby, hidden among trees near the water, is the Turkish Bridge (Turecký most).

Continuing along the embankment, we pass Slovakia’s southernmost point near Pat. At the village edge, cyclists can rest at a resting spot equipped with info boards, maps, and a bike service pillar.

Among houses

Soon we enter the first inhabited area, Žitava. The unmistakable embankment temporarily disappears under us, but the path remains easy to follow—just keep straight. We cycle past the Peace of Zsitvatorok monument, which ended the Fifteen Years’ War. Near the main road, after the Soviet Fleet 1945 memorial, looking right we see the ferry running between Radvaň nad Dunajom and Neszmély and its renovated station.

We cycle along the edge of Route 63 through Radvaň nad Dunajom. At Moča's border, following the cyclist (or the more visible Dunamocsi Csárda) signs, we turn right onto a connecting road. At its end, a left turn brings us back to the Danube embankment, continuing on the protected path. At the left fork, it is worth making a short detour to visit the 1965 flood memorial, where a pair of stone plaques commemorate the devastating flood that destroyed over 100 houses and severely damaged as many more. The monument, erected on the 40th anniversary, marks the 801 cm water level line.

From the top of the embankment, it is worth occasionally detouring down to the Danube shore, where beautiful viewpoints await. Arriving at Kravany nad Dunajom, the area’s tourist center, on the Danube promenade we find a cyclist resting place next to the 16-meter-high lookout tower (Vyhliadková veža), which is worth climbing for the panorama. From this circular building, an integrated telescope allows you to closely observe every detail.

In the beautifully maintained park, take a look at the Árpád-era Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the nearby bell tower. An enjoyable excursion is also the 1.5-kilometer-long educational trail with 10 stops, where you can learn about the area’s past, landmarks, and the natural and other attractions of the Danube’s shore. In summer, you can take a dip at the free beach with fine gravel and shallow water before continuing.

Varied roads

Leaving Kravany nad Dunajom, we glide on the new cycle path built in 2023 at the top of the embankment. In one corner of this section is a covered cyclist rest area with an info board and map. The route is not yet complete in some parts (work is ongoing), so in some segments we must ride on the embankment’s stony, compacted path and dirt roads. Due to this short unfinished section, it’s advisable to start out on a suitable wide-tire bike until the work is complete.

From the Danube-line embankment’s dirt path, a cyclist sign invites us to turn left. We climb on a bumpy road made of concrete slabs reminiscent of the old M7 motorway to Obid, where after the climb it’s worth resting in the charming main square. Adjacent to the Roman Catholic church is a covered rest area with tables, benches, and a book stop where you can get reading material for your break.

From here, we climb along the village’s main street. Near the end, observe the usual EuroVelo6 sign mounted on a post, which directs right onto Sládkovičova Street. On the straight connecting road, we can already spot the distinctive building of Esztergom Basilica in the distance. A left turn leads us into Štúrovo’s industrial area, after which, following the cycle route signs, we soon reach the town center. The atmospheric pedestrian street is a good place to stop for a cake or ice cream before crossing the Maria Valeria Bridge into Esztergom, where we reach the railway station through Primás Island and small streets.