Csobbanj Velem! performance hike

The Csillagtúrázz Velem! performance hikes consist of a 25-kilometer distance made up of two circuit hikes: first the Csúcsra Velem!, then the Vizezz Velem! circuit. This distance combination is an excellent choice for lovers of rocks, caves, stream valleys, springs, historical curiosities, and views alike.

We complete the Csúcsra Velem! circuit first

From Velem, we start the gentle ascent on the side of Holt Hill, then continue through the Dark Valley, passing the Pütyör Spring (water supply option). Reaching the route of the former technical border fence, the intense climb begins, which we complete in two parts: at two-thirds of the climb, we make a detour to the mountain range's largest cave with four entrances, the Kalapos-kő Cave (the entire approximately 30-meter passage system can be crawled through). Returning to the path of the technical border fence, we finish the earlier started ascent.

On the summit, the Wide Stone receives us with its wide rock ridge true to its name. Keeping the level, we continue the hike towards Kalapos-kő, whose rocky landscape hides the most screes in the mountain range, but we also find caves here. The most spectacular among these is the Limax Cave, discoverable by crawling. A rock group away, we touch the Holler Cave, also excellent as a bivouac, then reaching the border strip, after a short climb, we descend back into the Dark Valley.

From the valley bottom, we begin to conquer Írott-kő, passing the Ebenspanger and Fairy springs, which are the highest springs in the mountain range after the Hörmann Spring but are not developed, so we cannot quench our thirst from them. A few meters from the springs stands the tragically historic Killer Rock, which we bypass before climbing up to the ridge. This is also the Hungarian-Austrian state border. On the Austrian side, we can see serious deforestation, the only positive outcome of which is the fantastic view. After overcoming the exhausting climb, we reach the 882-meter high Írott-kő, from the top of the lookout tower we can admire the panorama from about 900 meters high. On a clear day, the Bakony, Balaton Uplands, the testimonial hills of Kisalföld (Ság Hill and Somló), Sopron Mountains, Kis-Kárpátok, Lake Fertő, and the Alpine ranges also appear in the distance.

We have to go through clearings on the descent, after which the rock formation of Table Stone offers refreshment. We reach Velem through the Long Valley Forest Reserve, where fortunately the tree population is still safe.

Next comes the Vizezz Velem! circuit

We leave civilization behind on the Nuschy promenade: on a charming path leading through the stream valley, we reach the first spring, the Vasa Well, then continue on forest roads with an increasingly steep climb to Saint Vid Hill. The history of the hill can also be learned with the help of information boards lining our path. Just before reaching the hilltop, we make a detour to the Holy Well, which today shows a sad face: a huge fallen tree has almost completely blocked the spring’s outflow by falling on the collapsed building of the former Pioneer camp. We get to the top of Saint Vid Hill by conquering a tiring flight of stairs, where in front of the whitewashed chapel we can enjoy the view towards Szombathely. After the chapel, we avoid the OKT memorial and the calvary. From here begins the real up-and-down spring hike: Hornbeam Well, the unoccupied Maple Well, Borha Spring, Enikő Spring, and Electric Spring follow. At Wisinger Farm, it is worth seeing the huge atlas cedar, only a few meters detour from the hiking trail. Along the route connecting the springs, we also encounter numerous old sweet chestnut trees. Before the village, the last visited spring is the Cseke Spring. In Velem, we return to the cultural centre through the old wine cellar row.

Start location: Velem village Cultural Centre and Club Library (9726 Velem, Rákóczi Street 18.)

Start time: May 31, 2025, 6:00–8:00 (own pace until 9:00)

Finish location: Velem village Cultural Centre and Club Library, until 14:00

Distance, elevation gain: 26.2 km, 1207 m elevation gain

Time limit: 7:00

Awards: certificate, badge

Entry fee: 4300 HUF, pre-registration possible on this page until May 27 (pre-registrants get a 300 HUF discount, payment is on-site)

Services: certificate sheet, itinerary, colored map, ribbon marking where necessary, refreshment points during the distance (cold drinks, snacks, breads), goal walls (breads)

Recommended equipment: mug/water bottle (plastic cups are not provided at refreshment points), pen/pencil, mobile phone, hiking stick, Természetjáró app

Organizer: Vasi Vándorok Sports Association

• Phone number available before, during, and after the hike: András Soós: +36 30 691 6971
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The general information about the Csillagtúrázz Velem! performance hikes on Természetjáró.hu can be found here.