Pilis Bike Trout Tour (Kis Rigó Restaurant P+B)

Itinerary:

• From Kis Rigó Restaurant all the way to Visegrád, we must follow the blue cycling route.
• We cycle back on the same route and marking.

Description:

Kis Rigó – Hegytető

• Terrain: asphalt, stony path, dirt road

Starting from the restaurant, we begin rolling towards the main road. Upon reaching the intersection, turn right, then after a few pedal strokes, signaling a left turn while observing the traffic behind us. First, carefully move next to the dashed line, then after looking back again, turn left towards the village! 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. On the quiet little street along the Apátkúti stream, we slowly leave civilization behind and soon find ourselves at the edge of the forest.

Once on the terrain, be alert because we must roll over a small ditch before the tour's most technical section. The narrow path is scattered with large stones that challenge both the bike and rider. It is an exciting challenge to ride through this section, but if it feels too much, a bit of pushing is certainly allowed. Fortunately, this rough section lasts only a few hundred meters, then suddenly it turns into a pleasant forest dirt road. A few minutes later, we find ourselves behind the Hegytető parking lot, where at the barrier base we switch to the asphalt road and begin the climb turning left.

Hegytető – Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

We face a 3-kilometer climb with a steady incline towards Pap-rét. The nearly 100-meter elevation gain provides a pleasant workout but is by no means an impossible challenge. The asphalt strip winding among the trees is reassuringly flanked by forest on both sides, making cycling here a truly relaxing experience. The nationally joining Blue Trail K sign on the left and the meadow spreading out on the right already indicate the end of the climb. Shortly after turning onto the descent, it's worth enjoying the view opening on the right. The hills towering over the Sztaravoda stream ripple impressively in front of us. The volcanic-origin peaks of the eastern part of the Visegrád Mountains, rising between 500 and 600 meters, shape the landscape, giving us a spectacular terrain model regardless of the season. After passing the highest point of the route, just a few minutes of rolling bring us to the Pap-rét.

Pap-rét – Telgárthy Meadow

• Terrain: asphalt

Here we can take a short break, refresh ourselves, then leave the junction heading north. The easiest part of the route awaits us, as the asphalt path will descend all the way to the border of Visegrád. Following the hillside line, the pleasantly winding road will surely delight even the most demanding riders. The only thing to watch out for is to enter the hard-to-see bends at a moderate speed, as not only other cyclists but also forestry vehicles might come from the opposite direction. In the second half of the descent, we will first approach the Apátkúti valley running below us on the left, then continue parallel to it for a while. Shortly before Telgárthy Meadow, we can spot on the lower left the area's most famous water source, the Kaán Károly spring. Named after the famous forester active in the early 20th century, this spring was already built up in 1938. Its always cool and fresh water is drinkable at your own risk.

A few hundred meters after the spring, the landscape opens up before us, and we find ourselves in a neat meadow. Standing in the northern end of the Apátkúti valley, a small forest rest area sheltered by the surrounding hills has been established here. The winding course of the Apátkúti stream, adorned with stone rocks flowing along the western edge of the area, makes the surroundings truly picturesque. At both ends of the meadow, you can find trout ponds fed by its water. It is worth mentioning the nearby Ördögmalom waterfall and the restaurant of the same name, which can offer relaxation and resting opportunities even for longer times. A few hundred meters after the valley’s exit, we already find the streets of Visegrád, so you can even cycle there if you want.

Telgárthy Meadow – Pap-rét

• Terrain: asphalt

If we decide to continue, we must travel the previously ridden route in the opposite direction. After leaving the clearing, we start a long climb through the forest, with about 300 meters of elevation gain over roughly 7 kilometers. After the barrier, cool air hits us from the Kaán Károly spring, but we’ll soon warm up due to the continuous approximately 5% incline. It’s worth enjoying the endless peace and the picturesque scenery while pedaling, as cycling is rarely this ideal in a region. Roads closed to public traffic, relatively good-quality asphalt, beautiful forest, invigorating but not too steep ascent: what more could a cyclist want? Several switchbacks inserted into the hillside ease the climb while providing interesting panoramas of the road ahead. After the third hairpin bend, the incline eases nicely, giving a chance for a short breather.

After the gentler segment, only one kilometer awaits, and we reach our next destination. At the end of a longer straight, a noticeable barrier and a small pond indicate we are in Pap-rét, where it is worth refreshing, resting, and enjoying the place’s charm.

Pap-rét – Hegytető

• Terrain: asphalt

Leaving Pap-rét, we pedal uphill for a few more minutes. The increasingly unfolding scenery on the left offers a wonderful view of the Sztaravoda stream valley stretching before us, then turning right, we reach the highest point of this segment. After the clearing hiding on the left, we can safely shift to the big chainring and enjoy the descent – but only moderately! On the generally good-quality asphalt, there are a few sneaky small potholes that can easily jerk the handlebar from your hands at high speed. Moreover, this is a busy section for both pedestrians and cyclists, so always keep the speed and bike under control on the narrow road! After a few minutes of descent, the main road appears between the trees. Bypassing the barrier, turn right off the asphalt, as from here our road continues on a forest dirt road.

Hegytető – Kis Rigó

• Terrain: stony path, dirt road, asphalt

Turning off the paved road, we first enjoy a pleasant and wide dirt road that gradually narrows. At one point, the ground also becomes stony, then quite unpleasant. On this 100-200 meter section, you must firmly hold the handlebars. With a less suitable bike or modest experience, it might be better to push through this short part. After crossing a small ditch, we arrive at a quiet street in Pilisszentlászló, leading to the village center. Here, keep left following the noise of the main road! After a few bends, turn right onto it, then after about 300 meters, watch for the Kis Rigó Restaurant sign; after careful observation and signaling, turn left towards the forest.