From Zebegény to Nagymaros through Törökmező

Itinerary

• From Zebegény railway stop, go north-east on the green (Z) trail, which leads in Malom Valley, passing by the Malom rural guest house and Nomádia Yurt Camping. 
• The blue (K) and green (Z) trails go together on a short section. As they separate, we follow the green (Z) trail passing by the Törökmezei Fishing Pond, then we follow the green square (Z◼) trail on the right to Törökmező, or the blue (K) trail over the wooden bridge. 
• We follow the blue (K) trail from Törökmező to Kövesmező, which will be joined by study trails later.
• From Kövesmező, we descend to the Nagymaros-Visegrád railway stop on the blue cross (K+) trail. 

Detailed tour guide

We leave the picturesque Zebegény going north on the green (Z) trail along Malom Creek. The creek originates near Kóspallag, and flows into the Danube at Zebegény, but if we take the tour in a drier season of the year, we will only be able to hear its peacefully burbling sound when our path leads directly next to it. Its deep-carved bed still gives us a hint of its water levels after the snow melts in the hills, or after a heavy rainfall. The most important stream of the southern part of the strongly divided, dry Börzsöny does not dry up completely even in the height of summer. Look out for pieces of andesite in the gorge, the rock that is the foundation of these volcanic hills.

After we cross the creek (which can be slightly challenging in times of flood), our path leads through intermittent sections of forest and clearings. Leaving the clearing of Sátorozó-rét behind, we find Malom Rural Guest House hidden in the forest, which can be booked all year round with prior arrangement, and the two 11-bed yurts of Nomádia Yurt Camping, which is open between May and October.

The National Blue Trail marked with blue (K) blazing joins our route from the left, and turns right in 100 metres crossing the wooden bridge. At the junction, follow the green (Z) trail to visit the Törökmezei Fishing Pond. The artificial lake was created by damming Malom Creek, and offers a peculiar sight in high summer—see for yourself by taking a short walk at the lake side next to the house. At the parts of the pond that are continuously exposed to the sun, green algae grow all over the water surface, making it look bright green as we look at it from the bank. The lake is managed by the Blue Danube Fishing Club of Nagymaros, and has carp, bream and crucian carp in it. 

From here, we have two options. We can either walk back to the blue (K) trail that will take us across the wooden bridge we have already seen above Malom Creek, then going uphill, it will lead us to the guest house (this is the track marked on the map), or we can continue on the green (Z) trail. This will also take us to the guest house with a steep uphill hike, but it passes by the spring of Fehér-kút—found a few steps away on the green circle (Z●) trail. If we choose this option, we must turn right and walk on the green square (Z◼) trail for 100 metres. 

It is nice to take a bigger rest at the Törökmező Guest House. Here, we can either make our own lunch/dinner from what we brought with us at the fire pit, or try the snack bar and café of the guest house—not to mention the various tasty dishes the restaurant has to offer during weekends. There are countless activities to choose from here: The little ones can have fun on the playground, and groups of bigger children can play on the sand covered volleyball court or the asphalt soccer field. The bonus feature of Törökmező is the adventure park built on the trees, which is not only challenging for children, but sometimes for rather fit adults too. In the cleverly named TörökmeZOO, we can see meerkats, ostriches, peacocks, snow foxes, guinea pigs, ring-tailed coati, raccoons, parrots and domestic animals.

From here, we continue our hike on the National Blue Trail. We walk along the side of Törökmező, then enter the woods. We are joined by the green “T” (ZT) trail, passing by some of the stations of the Törökmező Study Trail. The signs help us identify the summits in the distance, and teach us about the tricks shepherds used to use when herding under the shades of fruit orchards. The study trail accompanies us all the way to Julianus Lookout Tower at the top of Hegyes-tető from Törökmező, while giving us useful information on the forests and fields, flora and fauna, and cultural history of South Börzsöny; even giving us interesting tasks to do between the stations.

Where the green triangle (Z▲) joins our path from the left, the Nagymaros Gesztenyés Study Trail will also accompany us for a short while. At the three stations of the study trail that we will pass by, we can learn about the mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles living in Börzsöny, complete with colourful pictures.

Kövesmező welcomes us with a fire pit equipped with a cauldron stand, benches and picnic tables. At the east side of the parking lot, there is a clearing with a mesmerising panorama of the Visegrád Citadel standing on the jagged hilltop towering above the Danube. When our eyes had their fill, it is nice to follow the blue (K) trail starting across the clearing to the next sign of the Törökmező study trail, where we are guaranteed to be beckoned by the scent and unique atmosphere of the pine forest. 

From here, we start an intensive descent on the blue cross (K+) trail. We only stop once at a lookout spot to admire the Danube Bend and the Visegrád Castle.

The trail will take us to Nagymaros train station.