Szentgotthárd - Keserűszer (Őriszentpéter)

Starting from Szentgotthárd railway station, this route follows the red cross sign, passing along the city's impressive buildings. Crossing the Rába, you will face the Church of the Assumption. At the intersection of Hunyadi János Street and Széll Kálmán Square, turn right and continue on, now following the red stripe sign. The hustle and bustle of downtown and its quiet cafés soon give way to suburban residential buildings, which you leave behind as you follow the red sign of Mária Road to arrive at a forest clearing where the solitary Brenner chapel stands. The chapel was built as a memorial to priest János Brenner, who was murdered in December 1957 under still unclear circumstances.

Continuing from the memorial site along Mária Road, you walk through a shady forest until you reach the western shore of Hársas Lake. Descending to the water, a wonderful panorama unfolds before you behind the reeds. The pilgrimage path you have followed so far goes around the lake from the northern side.

From the lake, follow the green sign on an asphalt road, which soon shifts to a pleasant but shorter forest section after turning left. Then a 2 km long gravel road follows, which offers no particular challenge and not much to see, but is ideal for conversation if you are hiking with others. The chatting section is replaced again by a forest path following the green sign, leading all the way to the small village of Farkasfa. If you walk this route in autumn, it is worth scanning the terrain beside the path, as you can find numerous mushroom species along the way. The most common in September is probably the parasol mushroom.

Upon arrival at Farkasfa, you are greeted by a sight and atmosphere as if you had entered an open, freely visitable open-air museum. An unparalleled experience! The ancient houses surrounded by beaten earth roads and vineyards transport you back in time: you find yourself imagining what everyday life was like here in the early last century. This small settlement is captivating. If time and mood allow, take a little detour continuing on the green path, so you can visit the simple yet atmospherically charming St. Anne's Church in the village center.

The route of the hike—without detours—turns left from Alvég Street, continuing on the red stripe sign amidst forests interspersed with pine trees. Upon reaching the Lugos Creek valley, crossing the creek and turning right onto the blue sign, you are enchanted by the abundance of pine trees. Despite the massive storm damage, it is a fairy-tale experience to pass through this wild, mysterious forest section.

Continuing on the blue sign, spruces are replaced by clearings referred to as Hétrétország. The contrast of the landscape offers a unique view. In autumn, you can discover so-called witch circles even on the cart path under your feet. These magical circles consist of groups of fairy ring mushrooms, which are connected underground by their mycelia. In spring, the same meadow is covered with beautiful, colorful meadow flowers.

Continuing on the blue, you will soon reach the "szerek" area. First, your path leads through Papszer, then you reach Szalafő, Templomszer. Here you can find vibrant tourism, guesthouses preserving the character of the region, and cozy inns.

From Szalafő, your path still follows the blue sign. Perhaps the most atmospheric and also final section of the hike awaits you. The path follows the winding bed of the Zala river. On the left, a vast meadow; on the right, a mysterious forest accompanies your way. Following the direction of the creek for 3 km, you reach the end of this hike at the Keserűszeri Research House.