Vérkör (Seventy-seven kilometers in the Vértes)

The Vérkör is not a classic endurance route – although on April 1, 2017, for the third time, we were able to complete it in this way – but a challenge that can also be completed individually, which we can undertake running, walking, or biking, almost all year round except for the hunting season. All you need is a phone capable of reading QR codes, with which you can scan the codes attached to trees, thus verifying the completed route. Besides that, only good physical fitness is needed to overcome the 77 km and 1600 m elevation gain, which is also an excellent preparatory route for those aiming for distances over 100 km in a single go. We now present the Vérkör against the direction of individual completion – within the framework of the endurance route organized by the organizers in spring.

After leaving Oroszlány, we wind through a carpet of hollow gentians and atmospheric copse forest to Majkpuszta, where Camaldolese monks who had taken a vow of silence once lived. In the early hours, the hermitage and the Eszterházy Castle stand closed and silent in the landscape, so we can only look inside from the outside. True, there is not much time for more with the fast pace.

Following the yellow signs, we reach the blue sign near the border of Várgesztes on wide forestry roads. We do not pass through the village or the castle because we sharply turn westward towards Kőhányáspuszta. The small settlement belonging to Gánt, but standing lonely with only a few houses, has a recently renovated yellow chapel that creates a real idyll in the middle of the Vértes. The noise of the highway passing right nearby only disturbs this picture-like view, instantly dissolving all romance.

From here, we continue west and follow the blue signs with significant zigzags on the terrain, passing by the Csáki castle ruin also called Oroszlánkő and Mindszentpuszta before reaching the checkpoint at Szentgyörgyvár. It is noticeable even from the beginning of our route that most of the trails are wide dirt roads used by forestry, which neither comfortably nor aesthetically suit a hiker. The dirt roads compacted by machines to concrete hardness can already begin to tire our feet at this point. Unfortunately, this is what happens when the forest is basically subordinated to the forestry’s economic interests.

Along the way, we can frequently find trees marked with Vérkör QR codes, which are not needed during the endurance route but only if completing the route individually.

At the border of Gánt, we reach another checkpoint of our route where we can freshen up a bit. We will need this because the continuation is still long. From here, we travel in open terrain all the way to the hunting chapel at Csák, 10 km away. We approach Csákvár through the barren hills of Gém Hill and Öreg Hill, then at its border is the St. Francis hunting chapel where the next refreshment point of the route is found. There are still 34 km left to Oroszlány, so it is worth recharging.

We again trample on wide and stony forestry roads and mostly open terrain. Shade appears only rarely on the deeper erosion channels, where we usually climb uphill, so these parts do not provide relief against potential sunshine. Near Vérteskozma, we are forced to travel kilometers on asphalt, accompanied by the greenery freshness of the Fáni Valley.

At the Hirczy memorial, we turn onto the Köves road, which leads through the Sárkánylyuk Valley to Új-osztás. Another refreshment point is reached from where we head towards the most beautiful parts of Vértes (Mária Gorge, Körtvélyes, Vitányvár).

We reach the renovated Szép-Ilonka spring through hilly terrain, where we can take a short rest, then reach Körtvélyespuszta on atmospheric paths from which Mária Gorge is just a stone's throw away. Here we descend through wild terrain all the way to Csákányospuszta, where there is a checkpoint and the route turnaround. After the checkpoint, along the gorge on the blue cross sign, we start a short but steep climb, then continue on the blue trail all the way to Vitányvár. The approximately 12 km remaining from the castle is again on dozer roads, and if we have moved at an average speed of 4-5 km/h, we will finish in the dark despite our 6 a.m. start. Before reaching the finish in Oroszlány, we also pass Vértessomló, where the last verification point of our route is located.

At the finish, the organizers welcome the finishers with warm food, awards, and congratulations.