From Magyarkút to Magyar-kút

Itinerary

• Start from the train station heading towards Magyarkút on the K◼ marked hiking trail.
• At the intersection, turn left onto the P marked hiking trail, which we follow until the forest fork.
• After 2.5 km at the intersection, turn right onto the K+ marked hiking trail, which we follow up to the hilltop.
• At the high-mountain fork, turn left onto the K marked hiking trail, which leads up to Nagy-Kő-hegy.
• To Lokó rest area, the viewpoint is accessed via the K▲ mark, but this is only a few meters of path.
• Returning from Nagy-Kő-hegy, turn right onto the unmarked path, and after the viewpoint continue on this path until the junction with the Országos Kéktúra trail.
• Follow the K mark until the border of Magyarkút.
• At the village edge fork, turn right onto the K◼ marked hiking trail, which leads back to the train station.

Detailed description of the route

From the creek to the mountain ridge

From Magyarkút station, we head towards the settlement on the P◼ marked hiking trail. Before entering the dense part of the village, we turn left onto the P trail, which runs beside the railway through the wide, charming valley of the Morgó creek. We pass some weekend houses, but then civilization disappears, and the previously car-accessible hiking path turns into a single-track trail. We enjoy the peaceful creek-side stretch for about half an hour, and before reaching the Szokolya railway station, we turn right onto the K+ trail.

The only real climb of our hike follows, overcoming a 100 m elevation on the forest path. The valley still has dense canopy forest on the side of Magas-hegy, but it becomes sparser, and at the junction with the Országos Kéktúra, we find some smaller meadows due to felled trees. We turn left on the K marked trail and continue walking on the plateau-like, elongated ridge of Magas-hegy. Soon a steep but short climb signals that we are approaching the summit of Nagy-Kő-hegy, where the path leads through a sparse woodland. Oaks and ashes are filled with cicadas’ deafening summer song, almost making us forget we are in Börzsöny – the atmosphere here is much more similar to the southern Transdanubian hills.

The pinnacle of southern Börzsöny views

The hilltop (accessed by a just a few meter-long K▲ marked trail) does not stand out sharply from its surroundings but is unmistakable because of the tent-roofed building on it. Built in 2009 for the 60th anniversary of the Lokomotív Tourist Association based on the designs of architect Kálmán Zsuffa, under the excitingly shaped rain shelter we find benches and a table, although the roof structure’s once splendid condition has faded and no longer provides full protection from rain.

The lowland atmosphere disappears here as we see a vast space stretching from the Visegrád Hills to Magas-Börzsöny, with Gerecse in the background. On clear days, the blue band of the Danube Bend can be seen, with Visegrád Castle standing guard above; below us, the settlements and houses of the Szokolya Basin unfold.

The rain shelter also holds the Kéktúra stamp, as well as several memorial plaques commemorating notable members of the Lokomotív Tourist Association. Among them is Dr. László Vizkelety, one of the creators of the Országos Kéktúra. The Kéktúra section leading towards Magyarkút was named in his honor as Vizkelety László út. Next to the rest area stands Józsi’s bench, the best spot for sitting around nearby as it offers the best panoramic view.

After admiring the view, follow the unmarked path running parallel to the markings, heading back south to the right. Soon you will reach the edge of the mountain, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the entire Börzsöny range. In addition to the views from Nagy-Kő-hegy, on the right side of the landscape, Nagy-Hideg-hegy and Csóványos peak appear in the distance.

The viewpoint is famous not just for the view but also as a memorial site: you’ll find two commemorative wooden posts, a wooden cross, and several painted stones around, all dedicated to hikers.

Back among the holiday homes

After returning to the K marked trail, continue straight at the intersection by Magas-hegy, descending through oak forest, then crossing the Keskenybüki creek to arrive back in Magyarkút. The creek is usually small enough to step over and doesn’t cause problems for crossing, only possibly after heavy rains.

At the Magyarkúti letérő fork, say goodbye to the Kéktúra and proceed right on the K◼ marked hiking trail along the edge of the timber yard towards Magyarkút. We pass the forest playground, then soon arrive at the Irma spring, also known as Magyar-kút, built in 1889 by iron manufacturer Ferenc Swadló in gratitude for the healing of his daughter Irma.

The spring’s water flow is not abundant; during droughts, water may only drip from it, but there is a nearby restaurant where refreshments are available.

As the final act of our hike, we walk back to the train station on the K◼ marked trail, but if someone still has energy and enthusiasm, it is worth visiting the Tourist Chapel as well. For this, turn left from the Main Road onto Orgonás street onto the P◼ marked trail, and after 200 m reach the chapel. The building with a hussar tower was erected directly beside the remains of an Árpád-era church in 1933 by MÁV Gépgyári SE. The old church’s remaining stone walls are mostly overgrown by vegetation, but a memorial pillar stands across the road.