Csurdogálj Velem! challenge hike

The Csillagtúrázz Velem! challenge hikes’ Csurdogálj Velem! route is a true mixed platter: along the route you’ll find springs, viewpoints, historic sites, ancient trees, rocks, gorges, and vineyards awaiting participants. Although the route is not short, the density of sights helps to forget about this.

First, we complete the Vizezz Velem! loop

We leave Velem behind on the Nuschy walkway: the atmospheric path along the creek valley leads us to the first spring, the Vasa spring, then continue on a forest path to the ancient Saint Vid Hill with its increasing ascent. Before reaching the summit, take a detour to the Saint Spring, which shows a sad face nowadays: a huge tree fell on the collapsed building of the former scout camp, almost completely blocking the spring’s outflow. We climb a sweaty staircase to reach the top, where in front of the whitewashed chapel we can enjoy a view towards Szombathely. After the chapel, we avoid the OKT memorial and the Calvary. Here begins the real up-and-down spring hike: Gyertyán-kút, the free Javor-kút, Borha spring, Enikő spring, and Elektromos spring follow. Near Wisinger farm, it is worth seeing the huge Atlas cedar, a few meters detour from the hiking trail. Along the spring route, we also encounter many old sweet chestnut trees. Before Velem, the last spring visited is the Cseke spring. In Velem, we return to the cultural house through the old wine cellar row.

Next comes the Tekeregj Velem! loop

We leave the village again on the Nuschy walkway: along the atmospheric creek valley path touching the Vasa spring again, we say farewell to Velem. Overcoming a steep ascent, we reach Borha valley, which has a man-made previously closed mine shaft on its side, then the Borha spring (water point). Following the spring, another climb takes us to the old oak-lined Red Cross. From the cross, we follow the main ridge: we wave climb the Kopasz-Kendig, Kendig, and Hármashatár hill trio. It is worth pausing on the side of Kendig to admire the panorama. We leave the main ridge at Hörmann spring (water point) and continue on constantly descending road until Stajer houses. Alongside the houses built by Styrian foresters, there is also an arboretum; if time allows, it is worth taking a short circle under the centuries-old, mostly evergreen trees. After prolonged undulating terrain, we reach the next sight, Rock spring, unfortunately clogged, with a statue of Virgin Mary in the namesake rock. From the spring through Zeiger saddle to Tabor hill awaits the most difficult ascent of the hike; after overcoming it, we are rewarded with a panorama from the side of Tabor hill looking towards the main ridge. We descend back to Zeiger saddle via the already traversed route, then mostly downhill road leads us to Seven Springs, touching several panoramic points from where we can see towards Rőti valley and Oház peak.

After the spring, a short climb follows to the St. Germain cross, erected by Austrians opposite to the Trianon cross. After the cross, the Devil's tray rock formation awaits, which also functions as a natural watering hole in rainy weather. From here, we head to Pintér peak, from where we enjoy a great panorama of Tabor hill–Cross spring side ridge, then descend to Calvary hill where we first detour to the Trianon cross overlooking the detached territories, then see the freshly renovated Calvary church. Next to the calvary stations, we descend to Kőszeg, reaching the populated part where the Crown guard bunker, Saint Crown Memorial Park, and the ice cellar trio invite a stop.

We quickly leave behind the residential houses and start climbing in the most spectacular gorge of the mountain range, the Devil’s ditch, towards the bastion of Suleiman lookout, from where we have views of Kőszeg and the surrounding mountains. After the lookout, we descend into King's valley, where we can observe the remaining trunk of the oldest sweet chestnut tree in the country. Climbing out of the valley, we avoid the crumbling entrance of the Szálasi bunker and pass by the centuries-old Fatalin beeches to reach Oház peak, the site of the former Kőszeg castle. Unfortunately, the castle lookout is awaiting renovation and currently not accessible. From the peak follows a steep descent; the Mossy spring could refresh us but it has not been operational for years. Continuing downhill, we reach the top of the Pagan vineyard hill, first on the upper vineyard path and then on the valley bottom path leading to Cák. In Cák, the main sight is the listed wine cellar row, then at the Hordómosó spring we can take water for the last time. From Cák, we return to Velem via the foothill road under the vineyards.

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

Start time: May 31, 2025, 8:00–9:00

Finish point: Velem village Cultural House and Club Library, until 20:30

Distance, elevation: 46.2 km, 1766 m elevation gain

Time limit: 11:30

Awards: certificate, badge

Entry fee: 4800 HUF, pre-registration is possible on this page until May 27 (early registrants get a 300 HUF discount, payment is on site)

Services: verification sheet, itinerary, colored map, ribbons where needed, refreshments during the route (cold drinks, muesli, sweets, voucher, breads), finish lines (breads)

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

Organizer: Vasi Vándorok Sports Association

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

General information about the Csillagtúrázz Velem! challenge hikes is available on Természetjáró.hu.