Turul Trail

Itinerary:

• From the shopping center, follow the Határ Street-Sanatorium Street route to reach the P● marking, where we turn left, then at the fork turn right onto the P+ marking.
• The P▲ leads up to the Ranzinger lookout, from where we reach the P marking via an unmarked path.
• We make a loop to the Turul statue on the right, then return.
• Continue on the P marking, then at Nagy-rét switch to P+.
• At an intersection, switch to the S marking, then before Koldusszállás make a sharp turn back onto the K marking.
• Near Vértessolna, we follow the St. James pilgrimage trail marking.
• Where we meet the P marking, make a sharp right turn.
• We travel more than 5 km on the P, then on the P+ marking return along the familiar route to the starting point.

Checkpoints:

• QR code 1 - START, Decathlon parking lot
• QR code 2 - Turul Monument
• QR code 3 - Koldusszállás
• QR code 4 - Intersection of K and pilgrimage routes
• QR code 5 - End of Tolna
• QR code 6 - FINISH, Decathlon parking lot

The route follows the P, P+, S, and K markings, the P▲ hiking trail, as well as the Maria Road and St. James pilgrimage road throughout the Western and Southern Gerecse. During planning, the organizers aimed to simplify navigation by choosing the direction of the route deliberately, so with proper preparation the path can be run easily without a "track" timer. If you are unsure and have no watch, use your phone with a suitable app (e.g., Nature Walker App).

The START/FINISH QR code (located in the Decathlon parking lot, on the back of the meeting point sign next to Frundi) is scanned to start the loop towards the Sanatorium. After leaving Frundi, turn right, then turn left onto the uphill at the intersection on the asphalt road and walk to the P+ marking (where you can already see the sanatorium), then turn left into the forest. From there walk straight to a fork about 1.5 km away, where following the P▲ marking, we turn right. Those familiar with hiking markings will realize from the triangle here that the next section is not easy. Indeed, half a kilometer with 130 meters elevation gain awaits on one of Gerecse’s most beautiful trails to reach the foot of the Ranzinger Vince lookout.

From the lookout, a slightly left wild forest path leads, which we follow straight to a clearing with a beautiful curly tree perfect as a landmark in orienteering circles. Crossing the clearing, turn right onto the gravel road, then left onto the educational trail, soon spotting the Turul bird by choosing a narrow path to the right. Exiting the path, we find ourselves opposite the 2nd QR code. After checking in, continue walking along the gravel path behind the gate of Gerecse, turning right following the P marking. Where the P path reaches an asphalt road, look for the P+ mark on the right. After a right turn, immediately turn left as shown on the map.

At 2.3 km on the P+ mark, switch to the S marking, then at 4.7 km to K, which is also a section of the Maria Road pilgrimage path. This intersection has a very sharp left turn; if not careful, you might miss it. Look here for the 3rd QR code on the signpost! The K/Maria Road will accompany us until Vértessolna, where the 4th QR code is also found. A few kilometers before Tolna is another intersection where we see an El Camino marking on both sides of the road. This is the K and Camino intersection, and the code is on a tree on the left.

After covering 10 km past the border of Vértessolna, the first St. James pilgrimage trail markings will appear. While we could run on the El Camino markings all the way to Spain, now it only leads through Vértessolna. The village has a functioning water fountain, a shop, and a bus stop with buses to Tata departing hourly. Hopefully, there will not be frequent need for the latter. The price of civilization here is about 2 kilometers of asphalt, which may not be beneficial for the soles of trail shoes; this should be taken into account when choosing equipment.

After leaving Vértessolna at 12.8 km, near the last station of the stations of the cross, there is a pole with the 5th QR code. After scanning the code, make a sharp left turn onto the P mark, which after a short descent will test endurance with a relatively serious climb. On the eastern side of Kappan-bükk, almost 100 meters of elevation must be climbed within half a kilometer. The good news is that this is the last serious challenge; from now on, except for a few smaller hills, a real joy run awaits. Navigation on the red section requires a bit more attention, as near Arany-lyuk the S marking crosses P multiple times. The key is that when reaching the clearing, the agricultural area should remain to our right, and follow the P marking, which at 21.2 km changes to P+, then back along the already familiar section towards Decathlon for a gently downhill finish.