Pilis Bike Skanzen Route (Telgárthy Meadow, Visegrád P+B)

Itinerary:

• From Telgárthy Meadow to Pap Meadow, follow the blue cycling markings.
• From Pap Meadow towards Skanzen, turn onto the green cycling markings.
• From Skanzen back to Pap Meadow, ride along the green cycling markings.
• From Pap Meadow back to Telgárthy Meadow, return on the blue cycling markings.

Description:

Telgárthy Meadow - Pap Meadow

• Terrain: asphalt

Leaving the clearing, we begin our long climb through the forest, as on the first approx. 7 kilometers of the route, we must overcome more than 300 meters of elevation gain. After the barrier, cool air may hit us from the Kaán Károly spring, but the continuous roughly 5% incline will surely warm us up quickly. It is worth enjoying the endless tranquility and the picturesque landscape while pedaling, as it is rare to cycle in such an ideal environment. Roads closed to public traffic, relatively good quality asphalt, beautiful forest, physical but not too steep climb: what more could a cyclist wish for? The switchbacks branching into the hillside ease the climb several times and provide interesting panoramas of the road ahead. After the third hairpin turn, the incline pleasantly eases, giving a chance to catch your breath.

After the gentler section, only one kilometer remains until we reach our next destination. At the end of a long straight section, a noticeable barrier and small pond mark that we are at Pap Meadow, where it is worth refreshing, resting, and enjoying the magic of the place.

Pap Meadow - Skanzen

• Terrain: asphalt

Pap Meadow is the junction of asphalt forest roads crossing the area, nestled between Visegrád, Szentendre, and Pilisszentlászló. Opposite the forester's house, a developed resting area with benches and tables awaits tourists. After resting and refreshing, we head southwest and begin descending. Following the green cycling markings, we slowly roll along the Sztaravoda stream. Be cautious, as after forestry work, the road surface can often be gravelly or covered with wood shavings; sometimes rain or machinery brings mud from the adjoining dirt tracks.

For this reason, and due to other cyclists and hikers, descend carefully! Focus mainly on this, rather than navigation, as the asphalt clearly indicates the direction. Finally, a combination of a sharp right and left turn signals that we are approaching the Skanzen. Circumventing the barrier, only a few hundred meters remain until reaching the parking lot near the open-air museum. This is the furthest point of our route.

Skanzen - Pap Meadow

• Terrain: asphalt

Turning back from the edge of Skanzen, a barrier marks the beginning of forest roads closed to motor traffic, partly thanks to military activities in the more intense decades of the previous century. After circumventing the barrier, it is advisable to shift down and pedal hard, as we start with the steepest part of this section. After passing the two hairpin turns, the terrain gradually becomes gentler. The intimate, quiet road winding through the forest is bordered by small clearings and meadows, and from the left, we get increasingly beautiful views. Numerous branches show that we are in an area active from forestry and hunting perspectives. It has been considered so for decades — marked by the rain shelter known as the Horthy Garage, which we will soon see on the right.

After the hairpin, the incline becomes gentler while we roll by the steep side of the Nagy-Berseg Hill towering above us on the right. On the left, a creek meanders visibly below, roaring loudly in the spring but potentially drying up completely during long summer days. After a straight section, a guardrail signals that we are soon ascending to Pap Meadow. Only two or three turns remain before, after another barrier, the junction of forest roads and the forester's house appear.

Pap Meadow - Visegrád

• Terrain: asphalt

Here we can take a short break and refresh ourselves, then leave the junction heading north. The easiest part of the tour awaits us, as the asphalt descends all the way to the border of Visegrád. Following the hillside, the pleasantly winding road will surely impress even the most demanding riders. Only be careful not to enter the hard-to-see corners at too high a speed because oncoming not only other cyclists but also forestry vehicles may appear. In the second half of the descent, we first approach the Apátkúti Valley, which runs below us to the left, then travel parallel to it for some time. Shortly before Telgárthy Meadow, we can spot on the left the area's most famous water source, the Kaán Károly spring. Named after the renowned forestry engineer active in the early 20th century, it was developed in 1938. Its cool and fresh water is only drinkable at your own risk.

A few hundred meters after the spring, the landscape opens up before us, and shortly after, we return to our starting point at the northern end of the Apátkúti Valley. At the end of our tour, it is worth taking a closer look here as a neat little forest resting area protected by the surrounding hills and peaks has been developed. The winding course of the Apátkúti stream, adorned with rocky outcrops on the western edge of the area, makes the surroundings truly picturesque. At both ends of the meadow, there are trout ponds fed by its water. It is important to mention the nearby Ördögmalom waterfall and the similarly named restaurant, which can provide opportunities for longer relaxation and rest. A few hundred meters after the valley exit, we find the streets of Visegrád, so you can cycle there if you wish.