Pilis Bike Skanzen tour (Kis Rigó Restaurant P+B)

Itinerary:

• From the Kis Rigó Restaurant to Pap-rét, follow the blue cycling signs all the way,
• From Pap-rét, switch to the green cycling signs towards Szentendre.
• From Szentendre, ride back on the same green cycling signs to Pap-rét
• From Pap-rét, the blue cycling signs lead back to Kis Rigó Restaurant.

Description:

Kis Rigó - Hegytető

• Terrain: asphalt, rocky path, dirt road

Starting from the restaurant serving as our starting point, we begin rolling towards the main road. Upon reaching the intersection, turn right, then after a few pedal strokes, signaling to turn left while observing the traffic behind us. First, carefully move alongside the dashed line, then after looking back again, turn left towards the settlement! Follow the winding road towards the center of Pilisszentlászló, then after passing the Mayor's Office and the ABC store, keep right towards Kossuth Lajos Street! Pictograms and signs also indicate the direction towards Pap-rét. In a quiet little street alongside the Apátkúti stream, we gradually leave civilization and soon find ourselves at the edge of the forest.

Once on the terrain, stay alert as we have to roll over a small ditch before the most technical part of the route. The narrow path is dotted with sizeable stones that will really challenge both the bike and the rider. It’s an exciting challenge to cycle through this section; if it feels too much, a bit of pushing is of course acceptable. Fortunately, this rough path continues only for a few hundred meters, then suddenly changes to a pleasant forest dirt road. After a few minutes, we arrive behind the Hegytető parking area, where near the barrier, we switch to the asphalt road and turn left to start the climb.

Hegytető - Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

A steady climb awaits us for 3 kilometers to Pap-rét. Overcoming the narrow 100-meter altitude difference is pleasantly invigorating, but by no means an impossible challenge. The strip of asphalt winding between the trees is soothingly enclosed by the forest on both sides, making cycling here truly relaxing. The K sign of the National Blue Trail joining from the left and the clearing extending on the right already indicate the end of the climb. Shortly after turning onto the descent, it’s worth enjoying the view opening up on the right side. The hills towering above the Sztaravoda stream ripple visibly before our eyes. The volcanic peaks of the eastern part of the Visegrád Mountains rise between 500 and 600 meters, sculpting the landscape, so regardless of the season, a scenic diorama spreads out before us. After leaving the highest point of the route, a few minutes’ roll brings us to Pap-rét.

Pap-rét - Skanzen

• Terrain: asphalt

This intersection is a junction of asphalted forest roads crossing the area, nestled among Visegrád, Szentendre, and Pilisszentlászló. Opposite the forester’s house, a resting place with benches and tables awaits tourists. After resting and refreshing, we start moving again, descending southwest. Following the green cycling signs, we slowly roll along the Sztaravoda stream. Be cautious, as after forestry work the road surface is often gravelly or covered with wood chips, sometimes muddy with runoff from side dozer tracks caused by rain or machinery.

Therefore, and also due to other cyclists and pedestrians, ease off the pedals with consideration! Just focus on this, as navigation is less complicated since the asphalt path clearly marks the direction. Finally, a combination of a sharp right and left turn signals that we’re slowly approaching Skanzen. Going around the barrier, it’s just a few hundred meters more to reach the parking area at the open-air museum, the furthest point of our route.

Skanzen - Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

Heading back from the edge of Skanzen, a barrier marks the start of forestry roads closed to public traffic, partly thanks to military activities from the tense decades of the previous century. After circumventing the barrier, it’s worth shifting down and pedaling hard as we start the steepest part of this section. After passing two hairpin turns, the terrain gradually becomes gentler. The intimate, quiet forest road is bordered by small clearings and meadows, then on the left we can enjoy increasingly beautiful views. Numerous side tracks show that we are in an active forestry and hunting area. It was considered so several decades ago as well—reminding us of the rain shelter called the Horthy garage, which we will soon see on the right.

After the hairpin turn, the climb levels off as we pass beneath the steep side of Nagy-Berseg Mountain towering above on the right. Below us, the stream snaking visibly rumbles loudly in spring but can dry out completely during long summer days. After a straight section, a guardrail indicates we are soon reaching Pap-rét. Just two to three bends remain before a new barrier appears along with the forestry road junction and the forester’s house.

Pap-rét - Hegytető

• Terrain: asphalt

Leaving Pap-rét, we pedal uphill for a few more minutes. The landscape opening more widely to the left offers a scenic view of the Sztaravoda stream valley spread out before us. Turning right, we reach the highest point of this section. After the clearing hiding to the left, we can safely shift to the big chainring and enjoy the roll—but only moderately! The generally good-quality asphalt has a few sneaky small depressions which can easily jerk the handlebar out of your hand at high speed. Moreover, this part is busy with both pedestrians and cyclists, so always keep speed and bike under control on the narrow road! After a few minutes of descent, the main road appears among the trees. Passing the barrier, turn right off the asphalt, as from here our path continues on a forest dirt road.

Hegytető - Kis Rigó

• Terrain: rocky path, dirt road, asphalt

Turning off from the main road, we first ride along a pleasant and wide dirt road that gradually narrows. At one point, the surface becomes rocky and rather unpleasant. On this 100-200 meter section, you must hold onto the handlebars firmly. If you have a less suitable bike or modest experience with terrain, it’s better to push through this short section. After crossing a small ditch, we arrive in a quiet street in Pilisszentlászló leading to the town center. Here, turning left, we follow the noise of the main road! After a few turns, turn right out of it, then after about 300 meters, following the signs for Kis Rigó Restaurant, turn left into the forest after careful checking and signaling.