Mátraverebély - Mátraháza (OKT-20)

Itinerary

Throughout the route, we must follow the K trail marker.

• The first stage of the route lasts from Mátraverebély to Ágasvár.
• From Ágasvár, we walk along the ridge of the Mátra-bérc to Mátraszentistván.
• From there, we climb to the Galya Peak.
• We descend through Vércverés down to the Vörösmarty Tourist House.
• Finally, we arrive at Mátraháza.

Detailed description of the route

Mátraverebély – Ágasvár Tourist House

We stamp at the Mayor’s Office of Mátraverebély, then arrive at the train station through the village houses. Crossing the rails, we start along the edge of a meadow, then turn right into the forest. We climb uphill through pine and mixed forests, bordered by clear-cut areas of varying sizes. The most atmospheric parts of the section to Ágasvár are thanks to these pine patches, but soon we have to say goodbye to them as the rising temperatures and increasing dry periods "drive them away" from the lower areas. From some points of the ascent and forest edges, we have limited views towards the Cserhát Mountains.

The Ágasvár clearing is made inviting by the forest-surrounded environment and the aromas coming from the tourist house’s restaurant. We can stamp at the Kékkör signboard or inside the restaurant. The former hunting lodge is now a classic backpacker’s lodging deep in the forest. Behind the house, Ágasvár is one of the most beautiful highlands of the Mátra. On this regular triangle-shaped mountain, we can climb up a particularly steep, rocky trail (K▲) — do not miss this strenuous detour because of the panoramic view at the top! From the rocks emerging from the pines, there is a splendid view of Nyikom, the Zagyva valley, and the forests of Cserhát. Furthermore, due to the peak’s island-like nature, it feels like looking out from a bastion; here, we can experience the first (or last) real peak thrill of the Mátra Kéktúra. There is little left of the fortress that once stood here.

Ágasvár Tourist House – Mátraszentistván

After the tourist house, the K trail meanders along the heights of the Mátra-bérc main ridge. The path leads through enchanting woods at the edge of the Csörgő Valley forest reserve. We will only find a similarly wild section next after Kékes. From one of the smaller clearings on the steep slope, there is a lasting view of the deep valley of the Csörgő stream, at the end of which Mátraszentimre’s buildings dot the forested landscape at a high altitude.

On reaching the ridge, the harsh andesite rock outcrops emerge, sometimes exposed like walls breaking through the forest northwards. From the top of one, we can admire the Mátra landscape nestled in the Zagyva valley and the almost vertical hillside below the Vörös-kő. Finally, the ridge broadens a bit; our path turns into a forest road, and we arrive at Mátraszentistván next to a meadow with newly built weekend houses. The settlement is popular in winter; its ski slopes, helped by snow cannons, face north, so they have a good snow retention capacity. The Kéktúra enters the center of the village on the small plateau, where we can stamp on the signpost opposite the Vidróczki Csárda or at the gate of the 3Patak guesthouse. It’s worth taking time to visit the Vörös-kő lookout accessible via the S trail to look north over the Mátra-bérc.

Mátraszentistván – Galya Peak

The Upper Mátra villages were formed by German and Slovak charcoal burners, forest workers, and glassblowers using wood tar settling in the surrounding vast forests. Following power lines, we continue our ridge hike. Although the grassy, shrubby vegetation does not offer much exciting sight, at one point we notice on the right a widening clearing and a ramshackle bench: this abandoned pasture is the only viewpoint until Galya Peak. There is a view to the inner, peakless part of the Western Mátra and the Muzsla ridge. Above the trees, a tiny piece of the Cserhát also appears.

We skirt the Piszkés Peak observatory building under giant pines and rustling beeches. Here we are already walking in the cool, windy areas of the 900-meter peaks. Our expansive walk reaches the edge of Galyatető, just narrowly bypassing the country's second-highest peak, the eponymous 964-meter summit – where a radio tower stands. Instead, on the 960-meter Péter summit awaits perhaps Hungary’s most excitingly designed lookout, renovated in 2014 with significantly increased height. It contains bivouac rooms, but the main feature is the panoramic view from the top: all the charms of Northern Hungary reveal themselves in the undulating hilly terrain below. The massive Bükk and nearby Karancs are visible. In clear weather, the rocky peaks of the High Tatras can be spotted beyond the numerous Upper Hungarian ranges, and to the east, the Kékes massif and behind it, the lively and hilly eastern ridge complete the view.

Leaving the lookout, we soon arrive at the Galyatető Tourist Center, where not only accommodation but also meals are available. Stamps can be found here and on the information board along the path to the tower.

Galya Peak – Mátraháza

After Galya Peak, the mountain range starts to descend: this section connects the two highest massifs of the Mátra. Initially, we descend in dense, young forest, then the Kéktúra runs next to the highway: again, the ridge narrows so much that only two paths fit side by side. We touch the 699-meter Vércverés ridge, where we must not forget to stamp! From some clearings, the view is fantastic; Parád is nearby, visible in the depths. Perhaps in the whole Mátra, this is the area where the altitude experience is felt the most and longest. In the distance enveloped in mist rises the Bükk plateau. The eastern side is colorful with occasional rock outcrops. Our descent is interrupted by the climb of Csór Hill; from our narrow path among the foliage, the Kékes can already be seen in places. We descend again and join the asphalt strip once more.

We arrive at the Mátra Saddle, where the mountain ridge, a significant natural obstacle, lowers somewhat and its landforms calm down. For this reason, for a long time, the transportation corridor connecting the two sides breaks through here. The Vörösmarty tourist house (permanently closed) has stood since the 1950s; opposite its shady building on the other side of the road, a stamp point awaits hikers. Beautiful silver birch springs cover the steep slope. The busy road does not really let one immerse in the forest atmosphere; moreover, after crossing the head of the Hidas stream valley, we soon arrive at Mátraháza. The tourist site hides the symbolic former tourist house of the mountain range, the currently closed Pagoda (formerly the Kékesalja shelter), behind the trees. The last stamp of the section can be found on a signpost along the route where you turn off the highway or at the Mátra buffet located in the opposite parking lot.