From Burda to the Visegrád Mountains (Basilica-Burda performance route 40)

"It would be so nice to come back here on weekends!"

Itinerary

• From the starting point, we follow the dam along the Danube northwards to Garamkövesd (Kamenica nad Hronom).
• From the settlement, the P markings lead to the rocks offering a panorama.
• Soon the K marking joins us; at the junction of the two, we continue along it, passing the Ipoly tourist house (Chata Ipel) to Helemba (Chľaba).
• In the village main street, we turn left, opposite to the marking, and walk through the houses. After passing the church, we turn right onto the dam. Following the railway line, we cross the Ipoly and then walk into Szob.
• At the railway station, crossing the tracks, we head southeast to the ferry port; we cross the Danube by ferry.
• On the opposite side, we follow the P+ and Mária-route ᵯ markings together, then at the crossing, where the P marking joins our path, we turn right.
• From the Fári well, the Z marking leads to the Vaskapu Brilli Gyula shelter, then further to Esztergom.
• Arriving at Simor János street, we continue to the right, opposite to the marking, then at the first intersection crossing Kossuth street, we continue straight along Lőrinc street leading to the Mária Valéria bridge.
• On the bridge, we cross the Danube again, then turn right at the T junction.
• Turning right at the first cross street, then between two parking lots, we return to the starting point of the route.

About the route in detail

On the two banks of the old Danube, the Kovácspatak hills (Burda) and the Visegrád Mountains challenge each other. The question might be which offers a more beautiful view of the Esztergom Basilica. To find the answer, we have to cover this approximately 40 km distance.

From the Danube shore to the rocky panorama

We start from Párkány (Štúrovo) along the Danube dam downstream, comfortably strolling to the confluence of the Garam River. Following the Garam, we cross under the railway bridge, then continue along the river to the highway leading to Garamkövesd (Kamenica nad Hronom). This place gives the feeling that time has stopped here. The Hungarian greetings of the locals make us feel at home.

From the center of the settlement, we continue on a marked trail following the P marking to the comfortably steep side of Burda. Leaving the inhabited area and resting after the uphill effort, it’s worth stopping a bit and looking back: we will be rewarded with stunning views of the Danube bend. Soon we reach the Rocks. If what you have seen so far pleases you, the panorama unfolding in front of you from the stone peaks will surely captivate you for a few minutes. The combination of the Danube, the Visegrád Mountains, and the distant landscape decorated by the Esztergom Basilica will surely capture your gaze.

After charging up with the view, we continue following the marking through Király Hill, circling around the Burda. Our path continues on asphalt to the Ipoly Tourist House (Chata Ipel), from where we descend through the charming Velka dolina to the village of Helemba (Chľaba).

On waters and across borders

Leaving Helemba, we follow the direction of the Ipoly river. We proceed along the river dam, then among agricultural fields. In spring, the rape fields offer a wonderful sight as they paint the landscape in bright yellow. It's guaranteed that after taking a hiding selfie in a rape field, you will need to brush not only the dust of the road off yourself...

Along the railway line that knows no borders, we reach Szob, where from the railway station along Ipolyság street, walking towards the village center, we can discover a really charming small community. If time permits, it's worth visiting the local sights, as there are plenty. After enjoying yourself, we head towards the Danube. While waiting for the ferry crossing, it’s worth enjoying an ice cream or a lángos: when arriving home from abroad, you can enrich yourself with local flavors.

Crossing by ferry, we arrive at Pilismarót, where following the P+ marking against the flow of the river, we start our route on this side of the Danube. The slopes of the Visegrád Mountains await us as we cross highway 11. Along the road by Basaharc, we pass charming resorts. At times like this, it's not unusual to feel, "It would be so nice to come back here on weekends!"

Mountains woven with legends

Leaving daydreaming behind, still following the P+ marking, we ascend deeper and higher in the wooded hills. Only the silence and the peace of nature can be felt along this section. At the Őrhegy crossroads, we turn right to the P marking, then pass the May Day spring, reminiscent of a fairy garden, whose cool water is an excellent thirst quencher for the tired traveler.

Leaving the tiny village of Kerektó, we turn right onto the Z marking, soon reaching the Fári well. Here, too, we have the opportunity to quench our thirst and rest on benches. Refreshed by the spring woven with legend, we continue on the marked path. We wander in increasingly quiet places again: the forest and the hill increasingly show their interiors; this makes this section beautiful all the way to the Brilli Gyula Shelter located on the side of Vaskapu. From the terrace of the building, a wonderful view unfolds before us of the Danube glittering in the sunlight and the dome of the Esztergom Basilica.

At this point, it's worth stopping a bit and thinking about the question posed in the introduction: is the view of the Basilica more beautiful from Burda or from here? This is actually just a poetic question, as traveling the route we can say that both on this and the other side of the Danube, a picturesque panorama dazzles us.

From the shelter, the Z marking continues to lead us to Esztergom. Continuing our journey, we soon arrive at a small clearing where it's worth looking right to admire the rocks of the Kovácspatak hills we climbed in the morning. Upon entering Esztergom, we arrive at a hillside, suburban area, which is replaced by the ancient walls of the city center when turning to Arany János street. If time allows, a short walk among the old historic buildings of the old town is worth it. If these could tell stories, we would listen to very long and exciting tales.

After exploring the ancient streets of Esztergom, we head towards the Mária Valéria bridge and return to the starting point of our tour in Párkány.

The Basilica-Burda performance route

The whole circle is about 40 kilometers long. The performance route has been organized every spring since 2005 by the Pestkörnyéki Carpathian Association. If you complete it within this framework, in addition to the fabulous landscapes, magical forests, and beautiful panoramas, you can also gain a wonderful handmade clay commemorative plaque.

At the registration, you receive a detailed, map-based itinerary, and at the checkpoints, the organizers offer drinks and some snacks - and for a small fee, a warm meal can also be requested. The distance must be completed within a 10-hour time limit, excluding waiting for the Szob ferry which leaves once an hour.

Since 2005, the organizers have also offered a 20 km route, and from 2010, a 55 km route.