Kisújbánya detour

Itinerary

• Start from the parking lot on the K marked path towards the center of Kisújbánya.
• In the village turn right on the Üvegesek útja Z trail, which we follow to Miske-tető.
• At Miske-tető turn right at the intersection onto the S marked trail, which leads to Cigány-hegy.
• At the Cigány-hegy lookout descend to the unmarked path and follow it behind the lookout as well.
• When we reach it again, continue walking (left) on the S trail to the hiking trail junction.
• At the junction, turn left onto the P marked trail, which we follow to the Delelő meadow.
• At the Delelő meadow turn left onto the St. Martin pilgrimage route StM, which leads back to the parking lot.

Detailed route description

Recommended by the Bavarian hut master

We start our hike from the parking lot built at the border of Kisújbánya. We descend on a steep asphalt road towards the village to reach one of the old centers of glassmaking workshops in Mecsek. The third glassworks of the mountain range operated here in the 18th century, after the forests around Óbánya were consumed, forcing relocation. The glassworks was run by Czech-origin, German-speaking workers under the leadership of a Bavarian hut master – until the barn fire that lasted over two decades destroyed the neighboring beech forests, prompting relocation to today’s Pusztabánya area. Although glass production ceased in the 19th century, Kisújbánya did not become depopulated; its inhabitants settled into a modest and self-sufficient lifestyle. However, the village did not survive socialism and became completely abandoned within a few years by the early 1970s. Later, urban citizens bought and renovated Kisújbánya’s adobe houses, turning the former glassworks into an attractive holiday center. Nowadays, many guesthouses are run by foreign owners paying attention to preserving the traditional street view. The village celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2012.

The two most notable buildings in the small Kisújbánya are the beautifully renovated village hall and the St. Martin church standing on the neighboring hill, accessible by a long staircase. It is worth climbing the stairs; the church will not disappoint, as locals pay great attention to keeping it in good condition.

Next to the village hall, we join the 23-kilometer circular Üvegesek útja (Glassmakers' route) (Z trail), which commemorates the glassmaking heritage of Eastern Mecsek. We only have to walk about one kilometer here, passing between Kisújbánya farmsteads and through a small forest patch until we reach Miske-tető.

Basalt pancake under the mountains

On the vast, mountainous, hilly meadow embraced by hills, after the decline of the glass industry, the locals of Kisújbánya grazed their animals, creating a somewhat unexpected, spacious plateau landscape within the forested environment. Its base is a basalt cover formed during Mecsek volcanism, which is much harder than the surrounding terrain and thus not dissected by streams. Scattered watchtowers and individual trees break the flowing landscape rhythm; we can also climb one of the roadside watchtowers to view the area from a higher perspective. On the meadow adjoining Miske-tető, where we arrive, autumn crocus blooms massively in August and September amid grass that sometimes reaches up to the waist.

Nearby, among tall trees, lies Kisújbánya’s old cemetery. Those unaware of this unique site may easily overlook it, though it is worth visiting the graves, some of which are several hundred years old. From Miske-tető, we then cover about one more kilometer from here. Behind us, the Zengő and Hármas-hegy silhouettes, previously concealed by Hárs-tető, now open up above the grassy mowing field. However, we now head in the opposite direction towards another hill.

The lowest peak’s lookout

At Miske-tető, we follow the S marked hiking trail to the right, crossing the Kisújbánya asphalt connecting road, then climb a short but quite steep slope up the 524-meter-high Cigány-hegy. The trail bypasses the lookout, so at the top we must choose the unmarked left branch. Interestingly, both markings are displayed on the lookout itself, though in a heavily worn state.

The lookout stands at the center of Eastern Mecsek but on a summit lower than the mountain edge. To the north and east, the view is dominated by Tolna county’s “top,” including the Dobogó and Szószék blocks; looking west, we can follow increasingly lower summits surrounding the Vár-valley until they fade, affording a view out of Mecsek in this direction. Turning southwest, the view extends to Misiná and Jakab-hegy; the southern panorama is dominated by the much closer Hármas-hegy and Zengő.

Leaving the lookout, we continue towards the Dögkút-tető fork (named for its former Kisújbánya use), where we turn left onto the P trail to descend to the Delelő meadow along a short, not very lingering section bordering a clear-cut forest. Beyond the cleared patch, we pass through natural forest-like beech woods.

Resting under the mountains

Delelő meadow offers excellent resting opportunities, with everything suitable for spending a longer time in this idyllic environment. The forestry road to Vár-valley bends at the meadow’s south side, leading to MÁrévár and Magyaregregy. Next to the abundant Pásztor spring stands a forestry building serving as one of the stamp stations on the South Transdanubian Red Hiking Trail, and on the meadow, there is covered resting space, a fire pit, benches and tables, and toilets. For geology enthusiasts, we recommend examining the yellowish limestone steps directly exposed above the Pásztor spring, arising from the excellent marl.

The meadow and the water source names commemorate the herd once driven here from Kisújbánya for watering, but based on the smaller spring’s name, the locals probably once called this basin Rikájók (now maps mark it a bit further down in the valley’s narrowing gorge section), to which legend says witches who cackled here in the evenings provided inspiration.

From the meadow embraced by dense forest, we join the St. Martin Pilgrimage route StM opposite a rain shelter. This is the wildest trail touching the meadow: towards Kisújbánya, it follows a water erosion surrounded by dense undergrowth and young woods. Progress is sometimes hindered by deeply eroded channels, overhanging bushes, and fallen trees. After a short climb, we reach the Kisújbánya connecting road, where the Rockenbauer Pál South Transdanubian Blue Trail also joins. Turning left onto the asphalt, we quickly return to the Kisújbánya parking lot.