On forest trails at the foot of Pilis

Itinerary:

• From Solymár, starting with a visit to the castle, we follow the yellow cycling signs.
• Upon reaching Pilisszentiván, we follow the green cycling signs. 
• Between Pilisvörösvár and Pilisszántó on Cseresznyés Hill, the blue cycling sign indicates the way.
• At the end of Pilisszántó, turning right onto the side of Hosszú Hill, the green cycling sign guides us.
• At Csobánka saddle, the blue signs continue to show the route.
• At the end of Kálvária Hill, under the power lines, we switch to a green cycling sign with a right turn.

Detailed description of the route:

Rolling out from the train station, we leave the roundabout heading south towards Rókus Street, then turn right at the end of the street. Soon we notice the characteristic tower of Solymár Castle, built around 1370, where fierce battles with the Turks raged between its walls. The fate of the fortress was sealed in 1561 when the enemy managed to set it on fire. Nowadays, among the renovated ruins, we can take a short time travel.

At the foot of the castle, we cross a meadow, then after turning left and some tens of meters, we reach the green cycling sign. Turning right towards the bridge over the Káposztás Stream, we move away from the castle. Traversing both sides of the watercourse, we leave Solymár through quiet streets.

Warming up on city streets

At the end of Széles Street, circumventing a barrier, we roll into the forest. On the path resembling a cart road, the rails of the mining railway still curved in the first half of the 20th century. If we keep our eyes open, we can find numerous quarries, abandoned shafts, and mining relics in the area. We don't cycle much on dirt roads, as soon we reach the edge of Pilisszentiván. After zigzagging through side streets, the road leads through a charming pine forest on the side of Fehér Hill. At the corner of the football pitch, we turn right, then soon cross the busy main road - let's be cautious! For a while, we proceed in a parallel small street, then turn left to tackle the uphill. At the end of a narrow street, we find ourselves near the Pilisvörösvár railway crossing.

At the gas station, we turn right, then ride the roadside bike path through the underpass. After emerging on the other side, about 100 meters later, be very attentive at the bus stop on the left! Between two fences, a shoulder-width alley leads further with the yellow cycling sign into the quiet suburban area of Pilisvörösvár. At the last houses, we turn left, then follow the dozer road through the trees on the right.

Now comes the essence!

We reach the forest on a comfortable, smooth dirt road, where pine gradually takes over. The limestone soil and conifers give the landscape a unique and special atmosphere. The picturesque view makes us forget the efforts, as we have to overcome a serious climb in the meantime. At the built-up resting place of Iluska spring, we can regenerate; from here a pleasant descent leads to the path to Klotild Cave and the lime kilns, all the way to the edge of Pilisszántó.

As we leave the forest, a stunning view unfolds before our eyes. To the left, Pilis Peak towers over the beautifully situated village with the Blessed Özséb lookout, to the right stretches the chain of Hosszú Hill and the Kevély hills. It is hard to tear oneself away from the view of the surrounding towering blocks. Going straight, we reach Pilisszántó's main road, then turning left, we climb steeply uphill. At the edge of the settlement, at the large rocky parking lot on the left, we turn right! Moving through an industrial area and passing weekend houses, we reach the forest line again.

Siding above Pilisszántó

Along the edge of the Hosszú Hill's skirt, the landscape gently undulates under us. There are no steep climbs or deep ruts – at most, a few larger stones or deeper ruts may cause challenges. For a few houses, we are in the inhabited area again, then we reach the strangely named Ziribár saddle. After the equestrian farm, the landscape gradually unfolds before us, and we arrive at the Csobánka saddle, with a wonderful view in the direction of Oszoly Peak and Nagy-Kevély.

At the quarry on the side of Kis-Kevély, the path forks. To the right, we continue along the path marked with the blue cycling sign. From here, we can ride straight to Pilisborosjenő. After the joining of the Z (hiking) mark, shortly afterwards turning right, we can visit the replica of Eger Castle with a 200-meter detour, and at the branching of the K (hiking) mark also right, the Camel Rock standing 100 meters away.

Connection to Csúcs Hill

Following the blue cycling sign, we cross Pilisborosjenő, then battle perhaps the most pothole-ridden paved road in the area. Turning right at Ürömi Road, we roll down to the roundabout, which we leave towards Budapest at the third exit, and immediately turn right. In the underpass, we cross the railway, then turn right on the other side. If we say we are not in the most picturesque part of the route, that is an understatement – but thankfully it's not for long. At the corner of the brick factory, we turn left towards the forest, starting the last climb, which runs perpendicular to the elongated ridge of Csúcs Hill. Reaching the Z mark, we turn right; from here, the slope is gentler. Passing under Kálvária Hill, several forest paths meet. We have to follow the S mark and the green cycling sign. Occasionally, knee-high rills cause headaches here. If we feel safer, we can freely dismount and push the bike!

This uncomfortable section lasts for about one kilometer, ending at a clearing signaling the beginning of Rózsika promenade. Continuing to follow the green cycling sign, we cross the meadow straight, then proceed along the creek towards Solymár Castle. The appearance of the tower signals that we will soon return to the starting point. At the foot of the castle, with the familiar small "croissant," we return to the train station on the Z◼ mark.