Szeged circuit along the Tisza and Holt-Maros promenades (PICK Bordó circular tour)

• Start from the mayfly memorial heading north, crossing via the Downtown Bridge.
• Descend the stairs from the bridge and continue north along Közép kikötő sor.
• After the Bertalan Bridge, the Z-marked hiking trail begins; continue on this route.
• Follow the direction signs on wooden boards to the Maros confluence, then return to the Z trail; continue on it all the way to the corner of the Botanical Garden.
• At the intersection, turn left onto the Z◼ marked trail that leads to the entrance of the Botanical Garden.
• From here, proceed via Lövölde street, then Alsó kikötő sor back to the Downtown Bridge and the starting point.

Detailed tour description

Under the spell of the Tisza

Our tour starts from the easily accessible mayfly memorial by public transport from all directions. The mayfly is a species of caddisfly that develops underwater on the Tisza's clay banks over three years, then all at once emerges on the same day for a mass swarming above the water. This one-hour phenomenon is very spectacular and has inspired poets, painters, and sculptors. The riverside bronze sculpture was erected in 1998 on Korányi avenue.

From the sculpture, we immediately cross to Újszeged via the Downtown Bridge. Although now part of the urban fabric, Újszeged was originally a separate settlement in the 16th century, later rented by Szeged in the 18th century, and finally merged in 1880. The first bridge here was built in 1883 but destroyed in 1944 during World War II. The current steel bridge was opened in 1948.

We arrive on the bridge stairs at Közép kikötő sor, a street lined with hotels and restaurants, walking along the asphalt road to Bertalan Bridge, and then reaching the Z-marked Tisza-Maros promenade, also known as the Rotary nature trail, which starts at the east side of the bridge abutment. We follow the Z markings for several good kilometers – all the way to the Botanical Garden. Navigation is straightforward, even without signs the route is evident.

The next 2 kilometers of the tour take us through the Tisza floodplain forest towards the Maros confluence. The shady, park-like grove has a wide, smooth dirt road, with many dead trees lying around in nature conservation status; informational boards on the Rotary trail teach us about the wildlife and the Tisza. We soon reach the renovated Gergő grove rest area (spring 2026), equipped with rain shelter, benches, and tables for groups.

While heading toward the Maros, glimpses of the Tisza and the sunlit opposite shore appear on the left. Among the trees, wider viewing spots open, and a dog beach is designated where four-legged friends can safely swim.

Soon we reach the only pedestrian structure on the path, a bridge spanning the outlet channel of the Holt-Maros, with a few steps where strollers or bicycles must be lifted. From the small bridge, we curve back to the Tisza, where after 250 m the Z-marked path makes a sharp right. For now, do not turn but continue straight; the minimal detour ends at the Maros-Tisza confluence.

The Maros confluence

The impressive junction of Tisza and Maros is marked by a stone heap between the two rivers – the view perpendicular to the confluence is not very wide, but from the Tisza's opposite shore, it is more panoramic. The scenery is magical, perfect for peacefully absorbing the gently rolling rivers. Interestingly, the P▲ marked trail ends on a narrowing earth strip between two rivers, branching from the P trail running along the Tisza and Maros embankments from Mindszent to Nagylak.

At the confluence on our side, a wooden cross was erected, below which a rain shelter cabin furnished with banks and tables invites a rest. After enjoying the panorama, return on the path to the Z-marked trail and leave the floodplain forest.

Climbing the flood protection embankment is the only elevation difference on the tour – just a few meters. Once on the embankment, a beautiful view opens to the forest belt we've been walking through, and on the opposite side, a stylistic building houses the Water Management Historical Memorial Site at the disconnection of Holt-Maros. The old gatehouse hosts exhibitions, and more than 70 machines and devices related to river regulation and maintenance are displayed in the yard.

Along the Holt-Maros

Behind the memorial, we enter the aquatic world of Holt-Maros. The arrival experience is almost indescribable: stepping out of a narrow grove reveals a fairytale park, with benches and charming wooden pedestrian bridges along the shore. The nearly 4 km long and 10-15 m wide old river arm meandering through the houses was created by river regulation in 1860, cutting off the Maros. This old arm in the heart of Újszeged stands out not only for its calm and tidy environment but also for its significant biodiversity: 143 bird species were counted in the reed, willow, and pine-dotted habitat.

The Z-marked hiking trail crosses the old arm immediately, then turns south along it. The Holt-Maros promenade changes the side of the old river arm four times, so from the bridges, you can look into the 1-2 m deep water where besides commonly caught fish, marsh turtles also live.

Crossing Fő boulevard, the already visible white painted Újszeged water tower stands on the far bank of the old river arm. It is neither the most beautiful nor the tallest water tower in Szeged but is a characteristic point of the district.

Visiting the Botanical Garden

At the end of the promenade, from Derkovits boulevard, we briefly follow Thököly road, then cross the main road 43 and the Makó railway line at the cemetery. Here, the Z markings lead westward along Kertész street, bringing us to the Botanical Garden in a tidy environment. The Z◼ marked trail leads to the carved wooden Székely gate at the entrance of the University Botanical Garden.

Among Szeged's many sights, the Botanical Garden stands out with its excellently maintained park, orchid house, tropical butterfly garden, and fern house (check their opening hours in advance). At the ticket office, you can choose from tasteful handcrafted souvenirs, and there is also a buffet serving coffee and cakes. A major attraction of the botanical garden is the summer flowering of Indian lotus flowers, but the rose garden is also outstanding.

Return on pavement

The part after the Botanical Garden leads entirely on asphalt – those wishing to shorten the trip can take the 70 bus from near the garden towards Mars Square. We return along Lövölde street and its natural extension, Alsó kikötő sor, to the Downtown Bridge – along the way encountering a somber sight: the remains of the railway Tisza bridge bombed in 1944. The double-track bridge served trains from Szeged to Temesvár until World War II; unfortunately, the Trianon decision sealed its fate, and with the loss of eastern big cities, rebuilding was not worthwhile.

Both sides of the Tisza show remnants of the earlier two bridge abutments; this is all that remains of the railway connection.