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Hiking Trail
· Suedburgenland
alpannonia® Hard - Írottkő Natúrpark wandering
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Írottkő Nature Park hiking route markingPhoto: Geschriebenstein Naturpark, Írottkő/Geschriebenstein Natúrpark
Tour passports and more information about the alpannonia® Hard circular routes can be found on the website naturpark.hu/alpannonia®túrázó.
The Írottkő Wandering is a true full-day, tough challenge, with its 55-kilometer length being by far the biggest challenge of the "alpannonia® hard" hiking circles. The tour was envisioned by the partner settlements of the Írottkő-Geschriebenstein Nature Park in the 2000s, and since then, the hiking marathon has been organized several times, in recent years primarily led by the Rohonci Nature Park with the cooperation of other Nature Park settlements.
The event usually takes place on the first weekend of September; nearly 500 people circled the mountain by hiking or running it in 2019. The route naturally touches the most beautiful sights of the Nature Park, passing through Kőszeg city center, the Cáki wine cellar row, alongside the Sibrik Castle in Bozsok, in Markt Neuhodis (Városhodász) in front of the Wallner Mill, in Althodis (Óhodász) at the Lombkorona nature trail, at the charcoal burner in Oberkohlstätten (Felsőszénégető), or by the Lockenhaus (Léka) castle.
Further information about the hiking event can be found here: http://www.naturpark-geschriebenstein.at/
The tour’s marking is clever; you need to follow a little "backpack grandpa" symbol, painted on trees, utility poles, or even the asphalt. However, it is advisable to bring the tour map or a GPS device, as markings on the Austrian sections are less frequent and occasionally you might get uncertain. NOTE! The route runs largely on asphalt, which should be considered when choosing footwear...
Since we included the tour in the "alpannonia® hard" hiking circles, we recommend starting from Kőszeg. It is also reasonable because after circling the mountain, it is no longer practical to look for any other occupation; it’s worth spending a night at Kőszeg or one of the Nature Park settlements in the Kőszeghegyalja area to properly rest after the hike.
Whether completing the hike alone or as part of the event, always have your mobile phone with roaming enabled, as unexpected events can impact your trip's success over such a long distance. Also, if you start on your own, inform your acquaintances or Kőszeg Tourinform office staff in advance of your plan...
We wish everyone much success and wonderful hiking experiences!
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- Since this is a cross-border hike, remember to carry identification documents.
- Definitely have phone contact availability as unexpected events can influence the success of your long hike...
Tips and suggestions
To enjoy the full hiking experience, we recommend visiting the following websites:
Roadbook
The Írottkő Wandering has quite a clever route marking: you need to follow a little "backpack grandpa" symbol, which you can find painted on trees, utility poles, or even on the asphalt. However, it is advisable to bring the tour map or a GPS device with you, as the markings are much less frequent in Austria compared to what you are used to in Hungary... Besides the tour circle's own marking, you can also follow the alpannonia® red and yellow markings or the Maria Route marking on several sections.
- We start from Kőszeg Main Square, heading towards the mountain along Temető Street, then through Szabóhegyi Road; at the foot of Szabóhegy, Mohás Road and the Írottkő Natúrpark bike path lead to Pogány, from where we follow the alpannonia® yellow marking to reach Cák, after the wine cellar row on the bike path to Velem, then to Bozsok to the Sibrik Castle, where we will encounter the first checkpoint/insect hotel on this section.
- At Bozsok, we cross the border on the main road into Austria, bypassing Rechnitz (Rohonc) from below, crossing the fields to Markt Neuhodis (Városhodász) at the Wallner Mill, from where we ascend to Althodis (Óhodász), passing through the settlement and continuing upwards on the main road to the Lombkorona nature trail. Here we find the 2nd checkpoint/insect hotel as well.
- From the Lombkorona nature trail, we will experience an authentic alpine hiking experience as we climb to the Great Hirschenstein (Großer Hirschenstein) towering at 862 meters. From here, we follow the alpannonia® red marking. Nearby, we find the 3rd checkpoint/insect hotel. After the Little Hirschenstein (Kleiner Hirschenstein, 836 m), our path descends along the alpannonia® red marking all the way to Oberkohlstätten (Felsőszénégető), from where we cross to Weißbachl and then reach Langeck village on an asphalted bike path alongside the main road.
- We cross the fields to Lockenhaus (Léka), and from the village square, the road leads to the castle and the lake beneath it, then again on an asphalted bike path to Hammerteich (Hámortó), and through a longer sunny section, we arrive at Rattersdorf (Rőtfalva).
- At Rőtfalva, from the alpannonia® information board next to the football field, we follow the alpannonia® yellow marking again into the forest, soon crossing the border unnoticed—this is already Kőszeg's Andalgó, where we also find the 4th checkpoint/insect hotel nearby. Through the nature trail, we reach Kálvária Street, pass in front of the Crown Guard bunker, and along Sziget Street, Pék Street, Várkör, Rajnis Street, and Jurisics Square, under the Heroes' Tower, we "immediately" return to the Main Square.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Kőszeg is accessible by public transport from Szombathely with buses and trains every hour.
- It is advisable to get off at the stop named Kőszeg, autóbusz-állomás from the long-distance buses that mainly arrive from Szombathely.
- If you arrive by train to Kőszeg, allow about a 20-minute walk to the city center, which you can save by taking a bus.
Other Hungarian settlements the route touches: Cák, Velem, Bozsok; all can be reached by bus from Szombathely or Kőszeg.
Directions
- From the bus stop, head west along Liszt Ferenc Street, then turn right onto Kossuth Street, where 'P' signs will accompany you to the Main Square (300 m)! The route starts here.
- From the railway station, carefully cross Main Road 87 at the pedestrian crossing on the street leading out of the station! At the roundabout, turn right on the first street, Rákóczi Ferenc Street, toward the city! From there, follow the 'P' signs to the Main Square (1.5 km). The route starts here.
Parking
- Kőszeg can be reached north from Szombathely along Main Road 87.
- Parking is paid in the city center on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm, on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm, while Saturday afternoons and Sundays are free. For example, free parking near the start of the route is available on Hunyadi János Street.
- Parking is free in all other settlements on the route.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
- Írottkő Nature Park Guide
- alpannonia® publications
- Under the blue Írott-kő - István Bariska
Author’s map recommendations
- Írottkő-Geschriebenstein Nature Park, Kőszeg Mountains map (Szarvas Maps)
- Kőszeg Mountains (Cartographia)
- Printed maps of the route can be requested at the Tourinform office in Kőszeg
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
- Basic hiking gear: closed shoes; due to the route leading mostly on asphalt, comfortable hiking shoes that tolerate asphalt are recommended; season-appropriate clothing; drinking water; food. For navigation, use the Természetjáró app. Maps can be purchased at the Tourinform office (Main Square 2).
- Carry a water bottle as you will encounter drinkable spring water during the hike.
- When using a GPS device, it is recommended to pack a power bank (portable battery) and charging cable.
- On many sections from spring to autumn, the trail passes through high undergrowth, often blackberry thickets—consider wearing long trousers at these times.
- Make sure your mobile phone's roaming function is active so you can make calls from Austria if necessary.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions