Hiking in Pilis at Teveles

Itinerary:

• From the Jenői FALÓ Buffet we set off towards Csobánka on the wide dirt road, following the K cycling sign
• After 500 meters, turn left onto an unmarked but wide dirt road
• After about 100 meters, the K sign joins from the right, then after a few meters continue to follow the dirt road turning right that we have been on so far (while the K turns left)
• After about 200 meters, reach the Camel Rock
• From the rock, continue along the unmarked dirt road in the same direction as when we arrived, after about 700 meters we reach the climb of Eger Castle
• From the castle, among the paths heading towards Nagy-Kevély, take the rightmost one, which after about 350 meters brings us back to the K cycling and the national K sign between Pilisborosjenő and Csobánka
• Turning right, walk about 1.2 km back to the buffet, partly on the already known path.

Detailed description of the route

If we plan and organize the children's first hiking steps, several things need to be considered, especially if we want to enjoy the hike ourselves. There should be company for the children, attractions interesting from a child's perspective, stories and games woven into the route, easy meals after the walk, the trail should not be too steep, and it doesn’t hurt if there is a playground either at the start or along the way. Considering these, the Teveles in Pilis is one of the best routes around the capital.

Route with lavender fields in the background

Getting out of the parking lot, the Nagy-Kevély eagle's nest towers above us, and setting out on the wide dirt road following the K cycling sign towards Csobánka, basically keeping the direction we came by car, we immediately see the first attraction to the right – provided we arrive at the right time. The impressive Kevélyhegy lavender field has decorated the village boundary since 2016: the hillside bathed in purple with the imposing peak of Nagy-Kevély in the background is truly a stunning sight. During flowering (late spring, early summer), you can pick your own bouquet here, an excellent program to end the hike!

Before reaching the forest, turn left onto a wide, unmarked dirt road opening at a right angle. After about 100 meters, the K sign joins from the right, then after a few meters continue along the dirt road turning right, while the K sign turns left. (It’s also no problem if you don’t turn left from the wide road leading out of the village towards the rock. In that case, continue for about 200 meters, pass a nice tension from the right, where the national K sign joins from the front. Turning sharply left onto this brings you with a minimal detour to the same place.)

Dolomite sandbox at the foot of Camel Rock

The rock, which indeed resembles a camel from a certain angle, has an information board about its geology and the earth historical layers visible in the former mine. Dolomite is a sedimentary rock that erodes easily. However, where siliceous hot water solutions passed through the already deposited layers, the rock became more resistant than its surroundings and was sculpted into interesting shapes, here precisely taking the shape of a camel. The rock can theoretically be climbed, but with children it should be done only under parental supervision and with great caution! Or rather not at all! There is plenty of fun under the rock: in the former mine (for example behind the information board) it is safer to climb, but the real play is with the dolomite dust at the foot of the rock walls. What women used long ago as scouring powder is an excellent sandbox for children. And there is also a huge and very spectacular rock cave at the bottom of the mine!

The story of a peculiar castle

After the playtime, continue from the rock along the unmarked dirt road in the same direction as before, and after about 700 meters we reach the climb of Eger Castle. This peculiar “ruin” was built in 1968 on the border of Pilisborosjenő, as one of the most famous Hungarian film sets (based on the screenplay by István Nemeskürthy from Géza Gárdonyi’s novel, Zoltán Várkonyi filmed a part of the movie Egri csillagok here). It is made of real stone, as people climbed on it during filming. It was erected here because the real castle was surrounded by the town, making filming difficult, besides it was close to Budapest and could be easily destroyed by gunfire. Last but not least, many extras could be recruited from the nearby military base.

For the 40th anniversary of the filming, the municipality of Pilisborosjenő had the area around the castle renovated. Of course, don’t expect a complete fortress here, the wooden elements have long since given in to time, but the remaining walls provide an excellent playground for children (especially if we prepare costumes in advance). Or even for a longer picnic.

Save energy for the return!

But be careful with exhausting the kids, we still have to get back to the parking lot. In exchange, at the Jenői FALÓ Buffet we can quickly eat a hot stew. This and the playground there (as well as the lavender field if we hike during flowering) should hopefully be a good lure to start heading back. From the castle, among the paths heading towards Nagy-Kevély, take the rightmost path, which after about 350 meters returns us to the K cycling and the national K sign between Pilisborosjenő and Csobánka. Turning right, walk about 1.2 km back to the buffet, partly along the already familiar path.