Around Óbánya and Kisújbánya

Itinerary

• We start our circular route from Óbánya on the K marked trail, which leads us to the center of Kisújbánya.
• We leave Kisújbánya heading south on an unmarked cart road and walk 500 meters to Miske Hill, during which we visit the Kisújbánya cemetery hidden among the trees.
• At Miske Hill, we meet the S marked trail coming from Cigány Hill, with which we head south.
• After one and a half kilometers, on the Z marked trail coming from Pusztabánya, we turn left, heading east, leaving the S trail which continues towards Püspökszentlászló.
• We follow the Z trail all along the ridge.
• From Réka Castle, we descend to Stein Mill, where we change direction and trail marking. From here, we follow the K marked trail, returning on the highway back to Óbánya.

Detailed tour description

We start on the main street of Óbánya, nestled in a fairy-tale valley, heading west following the K trail. Passing by neat, porch-adorned farmhouses, we slowly leave the last houses of the village, and soon arrive at the Trout Lakes. We follow the stream of the uniquely beautiful, narrowing and deepening valley, crossing it multiple times. Wandering in the gorge, we can admire numerous small waterfalls and rapids. Shortly after, we pass a lodge with a porch, and then, wandering in the wild valley, we soon spot the Dripping Rock on the mossy hillside. For the beautiful sight and the small waterfall, it's worth descending to the streambed. Our path continues to rise, crossing the stream over an arched wooden bridge. Soon we can enjoy the most spectacular rapid of the valley, the Slanting Waterfall. On an approximately 30-meter-long section, the diagonally deposited rock steps and the impressive rock blocks with the rushing stream provide a fantastic sight. Continuing, we pass a small clearing and next to the Elderberry Spring, followed by a few more "stream crossings."

After nearly three kilometers of adventure, we reach the end of our valley route, Kisújbánya. The long-abandoned, deserted settlement is now a resort village. At the beginning of the village, the left-turning K ◼ trail marking may offer a shortcut to Somos Hill. From here, we continue straight and walk to the small village square nestled in the wild valley. Opposite on the hilltop stands the St. Martin's Church, which is worth climbing up to in the embrace of the pines.

In the center of the resort village, we leave the K trail and head south on an unmarked cart road next to the shop, leaving Kisújbánya behind us. After about 300 meters, we find the former cemetery of the settlement among the trees. Leaving the old graves behind, we arrive at the long-stretched meadow of Miske Hill, where we meet the S trail coming from Cigány Hill. Before continuing further, let's rest and enjoy the view from one of the most beautiful fresh meadows in Mecsek, decorated with colorful flowers from spring to autumn.

Leaving the hilltop southwards, we soon continue our path in the forest. After one and a half kilometers, we meet and turn onto the eastern branch of the Z trail coming from Pusztabánya. (The S trail continues straight towards Püspökszentlászló.) We continue our hike along one of the most beautiful ridge paths of the mountain range, while the K◼ trail marking coming from Kisújbánya towards the Réka Valley crosses our way on the side of Somos Hill. Along the undulating forest road of Szenes Hill (Kolenplatten), one of Mecsek's characteristic protected plants, the thorny miracle berry, accompanies our path. We walk almost three kilometers in the beautiful forest, when we see the "Five way hut" in a clearing. Next to the small game trails, it is an ideal resting place.

We continue on the ridge road, from which the Z▲ trail soon entices us to the lookout above Óbánya (Belátó Lookout). Let's give in to the temptation because a very beautiful panorama opens over the surrounding mountains and Óbánya nestled in the valley. Returning to the ridge, we soon reach a shelter and then the ruins of Réka Castle, where we find the memorial stone of Saint Margaret of Scotland.

Saint Margaret of Scotland was born around 1045 in Réka Castle near Nádasd, daughter of the English prince Edward who fled from his homeland and Ágota, daughter of King Saint Stephen. In 1057 she went to England with her father, and after his death, in 1069 she moved to Scotland, where she became the wife of King Malcolm III. The cultured, religious queen's kindness, wisdom, and diligence became exemplary in the court of the war king. She did much to spread Christian culture in Scotland: she founded churches, monasteries, and shelters for the poor. She died in 1093; in 1251 she was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Today Saint Margaret is one of Scotland's patron saints, and her chapel in Edinburgh Castle is a pilgrimage site. On the 900th anniversary of her death, in 1993, several buses of Scottish pilgrims led by the Archbishop of Edinburgh visited her birthplace, Mecseknádasd.

From the castle, we descend along a very steep, narrow path. At the end of the knee-straining descent, we emerge from the forest beside the Stein Mill. Turning left here, after a few steps, we reach the highway leading back to Óbánya. At the intersection stands the cross of Saint Margaret of Scotland, and on the small meadow by the creek, a pleasant resting place awaits us. Here we switch again to the K trail, heading west, that is, towards Óbánya. We walk almost two kilometers on the asphalt, thus returning to the starting point of our circular route, picturesque Óbánya.