Csúcsra Velem! performance hike

The Csillagtúrázz Velem! performance hikes' 15-kilometer round that also passes Írott-kő is a great choice for lovers of rocks, caves, stream valleys, and views. The sights demand a real effort, since the section up to Írott-kő involves 700 meters of elevation gain!

From Velem, we start a gentle climb on the side of Holt Hill, then continue in the Dark Valley, passing the Pütyör Spring (water supply available). Upon reaching the former technical border fence, we begin the intense ascent, which we complete in two parts: at two-thirds of the climb, we take a detour to the largest cave in the mountain range, the Kalapos-kő Cave (the entire approximately 30-meter cave system can be crawled through). Returning to the technical border fence path, we finish the previously started ascent.

At the summit, the wide cliff formation living up to the name Wide Stone greets us. We continue the hike at a constant altitude towards Kalapos-kő, whose rocky landscape hides the most rock ledges in the mountain range, and also some caves. Among these, the most spectacular is the Limax Cave, which can be explored by crawling. A rock group away, we pass the Holler Cave, excellent also as a bivouac shelter, then, upon reaching the border strip, after a short climb, we descend back to Dark Valley.

From the valley bottom, we begin the conquest of Írott-kő, passing the Ebenspanger and Fairy Springs, which are the highest springs in the mountain range after the Hörmann Spring, but they are not developed, so we cannot quench our thirst from these. A few meters from the springs stands the tragically named Killer Rock, which we circumvent to climb onto the ridge. This is also the Hungarian-Austrian state border. On the Austrian side, we can see serious forest logging traces, the only positive outcome of which is the fabulous view. After overcoming the strenuous climb, we reach the 882-meter high Írott-kő, from whose lookout tower at around 900 meters we can admire the panorama. In clear weather, the Bakony Hills, Balaton Uplands, Little Alföld's volcanic hills (Ság Hill and Somló), Sopron Mountains, Little Carpathians, Lake Fertő, and the Alpine ranges can also be seen in the distance.

Going downhill, we must pass ugly clear-cuts, followed by the refreshing rock formations of Table Stone. We reach Velem through the Long Valley Forest Reserve, where, fortunately, the tree population is still safe.

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

Start time: May 31, 2025, 6:00–9:00

Finish location: Velem village Cultural Center and Club Library, until 13:30

Distance, elevation gain: 14.5 km, 734 m elevation gain

Time limit: 4:30

Awards: certificate, badge

Entry fee: 2800 HUF, pre-registration possible on this page until May 27 (pre-registrants get a 300 HUF discount, payment on site)

Services: confirmation sheet, itinerary, color map, ribbons where needed, refreshments en route (cold drinks, snacks), finish walls (breads)

Recommended equipment: mug/bottle (plastic cups are not provided at refreshment points), pen/pencil, mobile phone, trekking pole, Nature Walker app

Organizer: Vasi Wanderers Sports Association

• Phone number available before, during, and after the hike: András Soós: +36 30 691 6971
• Website
• Facebook page

General information about the Csillagtúrázz Velem! performance hikes on Természetjáró.hu: here.