The essence of Visegrád Mountains

Itinerary

• From Dobogókő follow the Blue ↺ (K↺) markers until the conjunction past the end of the paved road.
• At the conjunction follow the Red ▲ (P▲) markers to Király-kúti-kunyhó (King's Well Hut).
• Proceed along the Red ▲ (P▲) trail to Prédikálószék.
• Keep to the Red ▲ (P▲) trail and proceed to Szőke-forrás-völgy (Blonde Spring Valley).
• In Szőke-forrás-völgy follow the paved road to the left (or the paralleling Green (Z) trail in the woods).
• Follow the Green (Z) trail to the right and hike through Rám-szakadék.
• Past Rám-szakadék take the Yellow (S) trail to return to Dobogókő.

Turn-by-turn directions

From Dobogókő to Király-patak (King Creek)

At Dobogókő first walk to the lookout platform to enjoy the unmatched view of the winding Danube surrounded by rolling wooded hills as well as radially arranged valleys and ridges. The rock outcrop that offers this majestic view is made up by volcanic debris cemented together forming a hard and resistant block. As its softer surroundings eroded this formation rose high above its environment.

After taking a pause on the terrace head east along the Blue ↺ (K↺) trail. You will soon reach a ski slope that provides an obstructed view of the next section over the ridge of Prédikálószék. After passing the TV tower the trail continues under forest shade. You will be hiking over a bumpy path in a forest with painful reminders of the devastation by glaze ice in 2014. At the conjunction change to the Red ▲(P▲) trail to the left. The path sometimes changes to a logging road. After a slight descent a steep descent leads to Király-völgy (King's Valley). After reaching the paved road proceed to the right to reach Király-kúti-kunyhó (hikers' lodge). A resting area with an information board, benches and tables await tired hikers near the neat lodge. The trail turns left here and keeps ascending towards the creek. You will pass the intermittent spring of Király-kút and the trail steeply spirals down to Király-patak (King's Creek). It is a gorge-like experience and climbing or rather crawling out on the slippery and steep other side is a bit of a challenge.

From Király-patak to Prédikálószék

The trail will soon reach a paved road. Past a few meters to the right the Red ▲ (P▲) trail turns left and enters the woods again. A long and tiring ascent begins here through a nice beech forest (sometimes thick brush) to reach the ridge (in 30 minutes). At the junction turn left onto the logging road and continue along the Red ▲ (P▲) trail. The path mildly ascends and arrives at a fork of logging roads. Continue ahead along the left branch but at the next fork leave the trail and choose the unpaved road on the right to make a short detour Hubertus Hunters' Lodge. The terrace of the lodge offers an unforgettable view over the Danube Bend, Szent Mihály-hegy on the other side and Börzsöny behind, the castle of Visegrád and villages along the winding river.

Return to the trail. Past two more slight ascents through a beech forest you will reach Prédikálószék (639 m) at the peak. The lookout tower sits at the highest point of the Danube Bend offering a stunning view over the river, Szent Mihály-hegy on the other side with Börzsöny in the background, Visegrád Mountains on the right, and even Naszály beyond with its white mine pit.

Along the ridgeline of Vadálló-kövek

Next the trail crosses a picturesque beech forest and exits the woods at Vadálló-kövek. The volcano that stood here produced huge, explosive eruptions. The burning ash and scree were carried kilometres away in the air. The lumps of various sizes cemented together in the heat, and formed rather sturdy pieces of rock. Later on softer rocks eroded, thus the harder pieces of andesite came to the surface. The slowly eroding breccia cliffs stand as a wild set of stone teeth above the valley of Szőke Spring, and the smaller pieces of rock crumble down and gather on the slopes as scree. Mind your steps along the rocky and slippery path and make sure to have proper boots.

It is not only the rough terrain that will slow you down but the beauty of these rock formations accompanied by the view over the surrounding landscape.

Entering the woods again the trail follows an unpleasant rooty path and steeply descends giving a strenuous task for the knees. The small spur narrows between two draws and the trail arrives at Szentfa-kápolna (Holy Tree Chapel) with a spring and a resting spot.

In the gorge of Rám-szakadék

Cross the bridge and follow the Green (Z) markers to the left along the paved road. In around 15 minutes, at an information board (and resting spot) turn right. The trail crosses the creek and enters one of the unpaired natural beauties of the country, the gorge of Rám-szakadék. Although it is not extremely challenging, it does require more carefulness and proper boots. As the gorge is narrowing the trail closely follows the creekbed. Rails and ladders will assist yout to proceed. You will be hiking in a truly exotic world. The gorge was etched by watercourse in the dacite bedrock also forming small falls and plunge pools, which is still going on today.  The environment is imposing and assures an adventurous hike here at the same time, especially after rains or snowmelt, when the creek runs downhill unleashed.

Back to Dobogó-kő

After getting out of the gorge some stairs will take you to the next resting spot. Follow the Yellow (S) markers to ascend steeply back to Dobogó-kő. It is worth taking a short detour to Rám-szikla (Rám Rock): turn left onto the Green ◼ (Z◼) and then take the Green▲(Z▲) spur trail to the peak. The peak rises above its immediate environment but is surrounded by higher mounts hiding inhabited areas, which makes you feel like standing in the middle of an extensive and intact mountain. You may look back to Vadálló-kövek along the ridge of Prédikálószék or spot the lookout terrace of Dobogó-kő on the right.

The trip ends with a steep and long ascent. Past around 2 km you will reach a junction where the Red (P) trail joins in taking you to the long ridge of Dobogó-kő. The trail passes the terrace of Rezső-kilátó (Rezső lookout point) offering the same view as the one at Dobogó-kő but without the company of many tourists.

Just one more kilometre through an old and beautiful beech forest to reach a bus top (bus service to Dobogőkő and Pomáz) and a few minutes more to get back to the starting point in Dobogókő, finishing the most beautiful round-trip in Visegrád Mountains.