Nagymaros – Nógrád (OKT-17)

Itinerary

Follow the Blue (K) marker all along the trip.

• Exit Nagymaros across Templom-völgy (Church Valley) and hike uphill to Hegyes-tető.
• Past Julianus lookout tower head towards the hikers’ lodge of Törökmező.
• A lengthy hike in the woods takes yout to Kóspallag.
• Hike from Kóspallag to the hikers’ lodge of Kisinóc.
• A lengthy ascent takes you to Nagy-Hideg-hegy.
• A one-hour-long ridgeline hike takes you to Csóványos.
• Ascend southeast from Csóványos to Fultán-kereszt (Fultán Cross).
• Cross Cseresnyés-völgy to reach Nógrád railway station.

Detailed description

Nagymaros – Hikers’ lodge of Törökmező

Set off from the train station (stamper at the platform) and passing a Gothic style church built in the 13th century the trail exits the village along Templom-völgy (Church Valley). Hike uphill along the narrow gorge to reach the ridge where the trail bends sharply right towards the peak. The fenced holes are abandoned mine shafts used to search for and extract metallic ore. After crossing Ürmös-rét the trail arrives at Julianus barát lookout tower on Hegyes-tető (482 m).

The bastion-like structure boasts a marvelous view over the Danube surrounded by mountains, such as Naszály near Vác, Visegrád Mountains on the other side of the Danube, Burda on the Slovakian side of Ipoly and Csóványos in the middle of Börzsöny.

Head steeply downhill from the peak towards Törökmező. The trail crosses a logging road more times and Köves-mező, which grants a view over the river and the Citadel of Visegrád. Crossing Csapás-rét (picnic spot) the trail arrives at Törökmező with a hikers’ lodge (stamper at the entrance of the restaurant).

Hikers’ lodge of Törökmező - Nagy-Hideg-hegy

Take your time to explore the springs behind the lodge. The trail descends to the valley and passes a cozy fishing pond. Ascending through a young forest you will reach the edge of Békás-rét. This is the last spot to enjoy a view over High Börzsöny before entering inside. Hike along and the trail soon enters Kóspallag on a paved road. Kóspallag is the youngest village in the mountains founded by Slovakian lumbers in the 18th century. Cross the village and the Calvary hill to enter the forest. In a few minutes the trail descend into a creek bed and leads to the hikers’ lodge of Kisinóc (stamper on the wooden pole at the pub).

Pass the lodge and the most exciting part of the section begins as the trail does not pass any inhabited areas until Nógrád. A lengthy ascent starts along a clearance (Inóci-vágás). A little stone cross commemorates a young skier, Ferenc Barna who died here in 1935. The trial changes from a narrow ridgeline to a rocky hillside track and arrive at the hikers’ lodge on Nagy-Hideg-hegy (865 m) on a forest road (stamper in the restaurant).

Nagy-Hideg-hegy – Csóványos

The grassy peak is surrounded by ski tracks and the clearances provide a view to various directions with mountains from previous and later sections of the Blue Trail. Check the logging track crossing the northern ski track at the top to perceive real dimensions of Börzsöny.

Head towards Csóványos, the highest peak of Börzsöny. The trail follows the rim of the caldera through an intact picturesque forest with varied rock formations. Check Hangyás-bérc and Szabó-kövek for the vista.

The trail passes the cliff of Korona-kő to climb to the peak of Csóványos (938 m). The lookout tower provides a stunning view over Börzsöny and beyond. Large areas of fallen trees are painful reminders of the devastation by glaze ice in 2014.

Csóványos – Nógrád

The trail dips suddenly from Csóványos and traverses a fabulous beech forest with mature trees along Fultán-vágás towards the ridge of Három-hárs. Continue along the valley of Szén Creek to reach the clearing of Foltán-kereszt (Foltán Cross commemorating a forester called János Foltán murdered by lumber thieves in the 19th century).

Exit the clearing to the south. Beware the logging road turns right while the trail turns left. Hike downhill along the ridge of Saj-kút-bérc into Cseresnyés-völgybe. Past a logging track the trail begins its last ascent to cross the border range of Börzsöny. Finally, you will arrive at pastures with a view over the volcanic peak of Nógrád with a castle on the top. Pass the old Jewish cemetery and the Calvary hill and enter the village along the railroad (stamper at the station on an information board).