Pilis Bike Skanzen Route (Hegytető, Pilisszentlászló P+B)

Itinerary:

• From Hegytető to Pap-rét, follow the blue cycling trail the entire way.
• From Pap-rét, turn onto the green cycling trail which leads to the Skanzen.
• On the way back between Skanzen and Pap-rét, follow the green cycling trail,
• and between Pap-rét and Hegytető, follow the blue cycling trail.

Description :

Hegytető - Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

Starting from the parking lot, there is a steady climb of 3 kilometers ahead to Pap-rét. Overcoming the narrow hundred-meter elevation difference is pleasantly invigorating but by no means an impossible challenge. The asphalt path winding between trees is reassuringly embraced by the forest on both sides, making cycling in this area truly relaxing. The National Blue Trail's K marker joining from the left and the clearing spreading out on the right already hint at the end of the climb. Shortly after turning onto the descent, it's worth enjoying the view opening up on the right. The hills rising above the Sztaravoda stream wave visibly before our eyes. The volcanic peaks of the eastern part of the Visegrád Mountains rise between 500 and 600 meters, creating a spectacular model of the landscape regardless of the season. Leaving the highest point of the route, just a few minutes of coasting brings us to Pap-rét.

Pap-rét - Skanzen

• Terrain: asphalt

This junction is the crossroads of paved forestry roads cutting through the area, nestled between Visegrád, Szentendre, and Pilisszentlászló. Opposite the forester’s lodge, a well-developed rest area with benches and a table welcomes tourists. After resting and refreshing, we set off southwest, beginning the descent. Following the green cycling trail, we roll slowly along the Sztaravoda stream. Be cautious because after forestry work, the road surface is often gravelly or covered with wood chips; sometimes rainwater or machinery drags mud from the merging logging roads.

Also, due to other cyclists and hikers, descend the bike carefully! Navigation requires less attention here, as the asphalt path clearly marks the direction. Finally, a combination of a sharp right and left turn signals that we are slowly reaching the Skanzen. Bypassing the barrier, only a few hundred meters remain until we reach the parking lot at the open-air museum’s border. This is the furthest point of our route.

Skanzen - Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

Returning from the edge of the Skanzen, a barrier marks the start of forestry roads closed to public traffic, partly thanks to the military activities of the more intense decades of the previous century. After bypassing the barrier, it’s worth downshifting and pedaling hard right away, as we start with the steepest section. After passing two switchbacks, the terrain gradually becomes gentler. The winding, intimate quiet path in the forest is bordered by smaller forest clearings and meadows, and from the left, the view improves noticeably. Numerous offshoots show that we are in an area active both forestry and hunting-wise. It has been so for decades – this is reminded by the rain shelter called the Horthy garage, which we will soon see on the right.

After the turning point, the climb becomes flatter as we roll at the base of the steep side of Nagy-Berseg Hill towering above us on the right. On the left, the Sztaravoda stream winds visibly below, thundering loudly in spring but potentially drying out completely during long summer days. After a straight section, a guardrail signals that we will soon reach Pap-rét. Only two or three more turns remain before another barrier appears, then the forestry road junction and the forester’s lodge come into view.

Pap-rét - Hegytető

• Terrain: asphalt

Leaving Pap-rét, we pedal uphill for a few more minutes. The gradually unfolding landscape offers a marvelous view to the left over the Sztaravoda stream valley ahead, then turning right reaches the highest point of the section. After the clearing hidden on the left, we can confidently shift to the big chainring and enjoy the coasting, but moderately! The generally good-quality asphalt has a few sneaky small potholes that can easily jerk the handlebars out of your hands at high speeds. Moreover, this is a busy area for pedestrians and cyclists alike, so always keep control of your speed and bike on the narrow road! After a few minutes of descending, the Hegytető parking lot where we started appears among the trees.