In the footsteps of the martalócs

Itinerary

• From the starting point, head east following the P marking, passing a five-way junction. 
• After 1.4 km, turn right onto the Z▲ marking crossing our path, which, passing the Martalóc-kút, leads back to the previously mentioned five-way junction. 
• At the junction, switch to the P▲ marking and ascend to the Galya Lookout standing on Péter Hill. 
• From the lookout, the K markings heading south lead back to the starting point.  

Detailed description of the route

From the building of the Galyatető Tourist Center to the end of the parking lot behind it, we are accompanied by a mix of markings: K, P, S, P+, Z▲, Z●, the purple ᵯ marking of the Mária route, and the thematic trail marking ʍ of Mátrabérc all proceed together on this short section. In the first part of our journey, descending, we must follow the P marking all along. At the end of the parking lot, we turn left into the forest. Descending on the wide forestry road, we soon cross the former ski slope line. The kilometer-long, 200 m altitude band was until the early 2000s serviced by a piolet lift that carried winter sports enthusiasts to the hilltop. In winter, one can still ski, snowboard, or sled down the snow-covered slope but must factor in about half an hour of uphill walking afterward on the hillside. 

Slope, brake, panorama

After about ten minutes of descent, we arrive at the ridge junction between Péter Hill and the 886-meter-high Köves-orom, the meeting point of hiking trails running on the northern side of the hill. At this five-way junction, we continue descending along the P marking. The path runs almost perpendicular to the slope direction, frequently crossing contour lines shown on the map. The intense descent is interrupted only by a short, 250-meter section where we turn right onto a wide forestry road. After a leveling walk, we turn left again to tackle a descent that strengthens thigh and glute muscles. In the last meters, we reach a deforested area where logging has opened up the landscape, offering a stunning panorama through a scar cut into the hillside. The view’s left side is framed by the steeply dropping side of Galyavár; to its right, Mátraalmás rooftops dot the landscape red, with smaller peak waves breaking the horizon. 

Descending halfway through the clearing, our path is crossed by the Z▲ marking; turn right here to continue! The narrow, groove-shaped trodden path is nearly overgrown in summer by plants reaching a meter in height. It’s worth watching our step, as even in dry periods, you can find yourself ankle-deep in water flowing down the hill and accumulating here. Soon the forest swallows us up at the edge of the clearing. The leveling walk ends with a right-turn hairpin bend that almost seems to turn back. From here, a continuous ascent awaits us all the way to Péter Hill. 

Climbing to the summit with refreshment

The ▲ markings always lead us to some mountain peak—provided we choose the right direction. From this, we can guess that the road ahead offers few breaks. The ascent along the Z▲ marking also holds adventures. First, we must cross the downward winding Martalóc stream, which, when flowing strongly, poses a challenge on the slippery ground. We soon reach the edge of the ski slope already crossed before, then arrive at the Martalóc-kút, whose water shapes the Martalóc valley. The spring’s enclosure is on a very steep, crumbly soil, so even in dry weather, approach carefully to avoid slipping! 

The Z▲ marking leads past spectacular rock cliffs to the saddle of the five-way junction. From here, another challenge awaits us on the P▲ marking to the summit. (If we still have energy, with a one-and-a-half-kilometer round detour, we can explore two springs on the Z● marking.) The P▲ connects to the National Blue Trail K marking, taking us up to the lookout. From the 30-meter tower, winner of several architectural awards, we can admire a panorama from the flat plains of the Great Hungarian Plain through the Cserhát, Mátra, Bükk, and even the distant peaks of the Tatras. Sitting on the bench, we can rest from the journey’s fatigue while scanning the landscape. The starting point of the hike from here is only a few hundred meters away on the K marking heading southeast.