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Hiking Trail
· Budai-hegység
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Along the entire Guckler Károly forest promenade
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Viewing telescopes on the observation terracePhoto: Dömsödi Áron, Hungarian Hiking Association
A wide promenade runs across the steep northeastern slope of Hármashatár Hill. We cannot see it from below when we look up to the hill, as the tree canopy forms a tunnel overhead. The hiking trail, consisting of long straight sections, has no significant panoramic points, although we occasionally get views of the city spreading beneath our feet, and two viewpoints have also been built. Except for some rocks, only the dense forest will accompany us on the walk, but it is exactly this forest that makes the Guckler road worth exploring. The hike is enriched by a 14-station interactive nature trail, through which we can gain further knowledge of the area's values and the history of Óbuda with the help of our mobile phone. This trail was renewed in 2018 by Pilis Parkerdő on the occasion of the promenade's 100th anniversary, along with the viewpoints.
The namesake Guckler Károly was the chief forest counselor and forest master of Budapest from the late 19th century. He was responsible for the reforestation of the Budai Hills to meet the capital’s firewood needs and to accommodate vineyards. At the dawn of tourism, the growing population, who increasingly frequented nature and built holiday homes, was less and less satisfied with the sight of bare hillsides; therefore, under Guckler’s leadership, a rapid reforestation began, planting huge pine forests (mainly) according to the Vienna model, in addition to oak forests - thus laying the foundation for soil formation by preventing washing away. Another reason for reforestation was the phylloxera epidemic that destroyed the vineyards. According to Guckler’s vision, in 1918, a promenade for recreational purposes with retaining walls was created on the steep slope of Hármashatár Hill, which we will almost fully walk during our hike. But not entirely, as the road continues on the side of Csúcs Hill, outside Budapest.
The detailed description of the route can be read under the Description menu.
Author’s recommendation
- The walking path is just what its name suggests: after the initial short climb, a long, pleasant forest walk without elevation awaits us, so we can confidently set off with the whole family.
- If we want to shorten the route, we can first take the ZΩ marking or later descend by following the Z+ markings to quickly reach nearby bus stops.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileTips and suggestions
- The stations of the Guckler road nature trail and related information can be explored here.
Roadbook
Itinerary
- We start uphill from Fenyőgyöngye on the National Blue Trail K marking.
- At a slight right turn, we branch off to the right onto the Z+ marking.
- Following the Z+ marking, we go along the entire Guckler Károly road.
- At the Virágos saddle, we turn right onto the K+ marking, which leads to the Erdőalja road bus stop.
Detailed description of the route
On the ascent of Hármashatár Hill
The Fenyőgyöngye inn was built in 1935 and still operates today as originally intended; its name refers to the planted pine forests in the area. The National Blue Trail long-distance hiking route starts here uphill toward Hármashatár Hill. At first, we also follow the K marking, the gravel-stony path leads through mixed forests, sometimes black pines loom above us. We follow the asphalt road climbing to Remete Hill, turning sharply left towards Tábor Hill. At a waterworks, we cross the road and turn onto a straight, gravel-covered path under the pines. However, we do not stay on this long: shortly, the hiking trail marked Z+ branches off to the right, marking the beginning of the next section. First, we target the opposite side of the asphalt strip again, then soon turn sharply right.
On the Guckler Károly road promenade
Here we are already walking on the Guckler road. The installed boards provide abundant information about the area and Óbuda sprawling below. The wide forest promenade makes a sharp left turn within 1 km and starts following the slope of Hármashatár Hill levelly. On the extremely steep slope, small retaining walls sometimes support the road, which is also attacked by erosion but in excellent condition, and right at the first significant bend, the canopy of the trees allows a view of the city. Budapest lies deep below us, and from the city only a dull murmur filters up.
The ZΩ marking coming from the Tábor Hill cave joins from the right, then after a slightly rockier hillside section, we bypass the valley-like depression of the Kis-Farkas-torok. At the road bend, a small protruding terrace practically provides a panorama of half of Budapest. Its three fixed tubes do not have lenses built in; this unusual arrangement highlights a few details from the undoubtedly rich view when we focus our gaze - a bridge, a castle, residential blocks.
We glimpse the city again. Next comes the dry valley of Nagy-Farkas-torok, at its bottom only water rushes down after intense, sudden rains. We pass another panorama balcony; now a long, straight forest section lies ahead, this part of the promenade is visited by somewhat fewer people. The Guckler rock emerges on the left: the slightly brecciated dolomite blocks slid down the slope to their current place, where they have sat for a long time. Next to them, a resting place welcomes hikers; the Guckler memorial plaque can be read in the rock.
On the further section, the road has been somewhat more affected by natural transformation processes, sometimes narrows a bit, and at other places, we walk past the yard of a small quarry. On this section, the traces of the ice destruction caused by the freezing rain in December 2014 are also more noticeable; the tangled forest seems impenetrable. Finally, the steepness of the slope lessens somewhat on both sides, and we arrive at Virágos saddle.
Back to the city
The saddle between the eagle ridges is a hiking trail junction; we must look for the K+ marking going right, opposite to our previous direction. For this, we enter the woods and start descending on a path running parallel to a forest vehicle track. Here, on the side of Vihar Hill, the terrain slopes towards the city at a much gentler angle than under the Guckler road, so we reach the end of Erdőalja road with comfortable walking, the gate of the garden city. The remaining street distance for us to cover to the bus turning point is just over 1 kilometer, marking the finale of our hike.
Tábor-hegyi-barlang
Guckler Károly út
Guckler-szikla
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- The starting point of the hike can be reached by BKV bus lines 65 and 65A departing from Kolosy Square; you need to get off at the Fenyőgyöngye stop.
- At the end of the route, we can leave the location by bus number 137 running to Szentlélek Square, traveling from the Erdőalja road stop.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- The route's start and endpoints are both located on the hiking trail.
Parking
- It's worth leaving your car at Kolosy Square or near the Szépvölgyi Road HÉV stop close to it, since from there the starting point of the hike is easily accessible, and at the end, you can simply return with the HÉV.
- You can park at Fenyőgyöngye, but you can also do this at the beginning of Guckler road, where a short side road branches off to the right from the asphalt leading to the summit.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
- Budai Hills hiking guide
Author’s map recommendations
- Any Budai Hills tourist map
Equipment
The walk can be done in street shoes, no special equipment is required.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions