In the historical heart of Mátra: from potash to the glassworks

Itinerary

• We start from the Galyatető Tourist Centre following the S trail northeast, then south.
• After leaving Galyatető, we can make a detour to the Nyesettvár, but we only leave the S trail much later, onto the S+ trail. We follow this to Szalajkaház.
• Here we turn right onto the Z◼ trail, which leads us through Mátraszentimre all the way to Hutahely.
• There, turning right, we climb up to Mátraszentistván on the Z+ trail, crossing the ski park.
• We continue straight on the Z trail. Where it meets the K trail, we leave the markings and walk along Vaskút street, then before a big curve, at the well, turn left onto a short path, which leads us up to the K▲ trail.
• We turn right onto it and follow it until it merges into the S trail.
• Returning to the border of Galyatető, we continue on the K trail to Péter-hegyes, then to the nearby tourist centre, which is the end point of our route.

Detailed description of the route

Our exciting and steep but varied route starts at the Galyatető Tourist Centre. We walk out from the edge of the settlement on the S trail, passing by the Nyesettvár, probably an ancient earthwork – we can even climb up to it on an unmarked path if desired, although there is no view – continuously losing altitude. The lowest point of the route, strictly speaking in terms of elevation, is at Szalajkaház, operating as a tourist house, at the upper station of the Mátravasút, from where we continue along the Csukás stream on the Z◼ trail. This leads us through Mátraszentimre; if we're tired, we can even stop for lunch here. Soon we pass a small wildlife park beside the hiking trail, where we can climb two wooden lookout towers before reaching Hutahely, the site marking the beginnings of glass production in the area in the 18th century.

Afterwards, we turn right and start our climb toward Mátraszentistván along the Z+ trail, entering from the direction of the Ski Park. After some walking on asphalt followed by a shortcut through a path toward the K▲ trail, we soon find ourselves at the Vörös-kő Lookout, built in 2005. From its terrace, we can admire not only the peaks around the Mátra but also the Karancs, and in clear weather, the higher mountain ranges of the Felvidék. From here, there is still a substantial walk back to Galyatető, where we can crown the route by viewing the lookout standing on the 960 m high Péter-hegyes.