Mátraverebély - Mátraháza (OKT-20.)

Itinerary

Follow the Blue (K) marker all along the trip.

• Hike from Mátraverebély to Ágasvár.
• From Ágasvár hike along the ridgeline to Mátraszentistván.
• Climb to Galya-tető.
• Ascend through Vércverés to Vörösmarty hikers’ lodge.
• Hike to Mátraháza

Detailed description

Mátraverebély – Ágasvári turistaház

Hike to Mátraverebély train stop and cross the rails to enter the forest. The trail traverses pine and mixed woods passing clear-cuts of various sizes with occasional and obstructed view back on Cserhát. These spots of pine groves are losing ground in lower lying areas due to increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation.

At the end of the ascent tired hikers are rewarded with beautiful scenery and meals of the hikers’ lodge for their effort (stamper at the Blue Trail board and in the restaurant). The former hunters’ lodge is a classic hikers’ lodge today. Do not skip the detour to the peak of Ágasvár along the Blue▲ (K▲) spur trail. The most beautiful view from Mátra is well-worth the tiresome climb along the steep and rocky slope. Because of the island-like location of the mount it provides the first real peak experience in Mátra. Only a little is left of the old castle.

Hikers’ lodge of Ágasvár – Mátraszentistván

Past the hikers’ lodge the trail winds along the main ridge of the mountain (Mátra-bérc). Hike along the rim of the majestic forest reserve of Csörgő-völgy (Rattling Valley). From some clearings of the steep slope the view over the deep gorge of Csörgő Creek affords a memorable experience. At the end of the gorge buildings of Mátraszentimre punctuate the forest landscape.

Arriving at the ridge andesite rock outcrops appear. Finally, the ridge widens a little and the path changes to a forest track to lead you to a meadow near Mátraszentistván. Villages of Upper Mátra, like Mátraszentistván were founded mainly by settlers with German and Slovakian origin working as lumbers, charcoal makers and glass makers. Hike through the village (stamper on the utility pole near Vidróczki Restaurant and at 3Patak B&B). Make a detour along the Yellow (S) trail to Vörös-kő lookout tower for a view from the ridge to the north.

Mátraszentistván – Galya-tető

Following the power line the trail continues along the ridge. The grassy and brushy landscape is not very exciting a meadow with a bench affords a view (the last one until Galya-tető) over the peakless inner part of western Mátra and the ridge of Muzsla.

The trail skirts the observatory of Piszkés-tető underneath large pines and beeches. The wide track reaches the edge of Galyatető but round the eponymous peak (964 m) to reach Pintér hegyese (960 m) with the lookout tower of a most exciting structure in Hungary. It includes bivouac rooms also, but its greatest attraction, of course, is the stunning view over the whole mountain range as well as distant peaks of Bükk, Karancs and even the High Tatras.

Proceed to Galyatető Turistacentrum that awaits you with accommodation, meals and the stamper (Another is placed at the tower).

Galya-tető – Mátraháza

Past Galya-tető the range gets lower. This is the bridge between the two higher masses of Mátra. The trail begins a descent through a dense and young forest and it begins to parallel a roadway as the ridgeline narrows down. You will pass the peak of Vércverés (699 m, stamper). As the trail keeps downhill clear-cuts provide splendid vistas with rock outcrops on the eastern side. The descent is interrupted by a short hike uphill to Csór-hegy and occasionally Kékes appears. Keep ascending and a paved road parallels again until you reach Mátra-nyereg (Mátra Saddle) with Vörösmarty hikers’ lodge (stamper). This is where the mountain is low enough for a road to cross the range connecting the northern and southern sides. Cross the road and continue parallel through the valley of Hidas-folyás to Mátraháza (stamper at the coach station and Mátra Diner in the parking lot).