Pilis Bike Csergezán route (Budakeszi Wildlife Park P+B)

Itinerary:

• From Budakeszi to Képesfa, follow the blue cycling sign
• From Képesfa, the Z sign leads to Nagykovácsi.
• Backwards, the same in reverse.

Description:

Wildlife Park - Hilltop (PB10)

• Terrain: dirt road, asphalt, gravel road

We start our ride at the Budakeszi Wildlife Park's “Park and Cycle” parking lot at the point farther from the entrance. We can see the narrowing rear part of the parking lot; from here, heading north on the path, we can start. We leave the edge of the settlement on a relatively loose-soiled dozer road until we join the P+ sign at a Y-junction, then shortly after turn right to leave it, cycling straight behind a barrier. Our route runs along the edge of bushes and fields and turns onto a poor quality, old asphalt road, then after a few hundred meters we turn left in front of the Petneházy Club Hotel.

We continue on cracked, worn asphalt, going slightly uphill. For a few meters, the P sign accompanies us, then it leaves as does the asphalt road. The former turns right, the latter left toward the scout camp. However, we continue straight on a narrow path among the bushes. After passing by a high seat, at the far end of the clearing, we reach the dozer road by the game fence with sharp turns.

Here comes a serious climb on this limestone scattered road: we must battle both the uneven surface and the steep ascent. Moreover, in sunny weather, we can expect no shade, since we are exposed. With a right turn, we finally enter the cool shade offered by trees, but it is worth looking back before that for the magnificent view may be the reward for our climb. For a while longer we cycle uphill through the trees, then reaching the top of the hill, a pleasant descent awaits us in the shade.

At the forest junction, we turn sharply left, and after a few minutes of cycling, the road bends right. After the junction, we follow the joining Z+ route, gently ascending among the trees. Here the scattered limestone is already deeply embedded in the soil, requiring some attention. The tree shade grows sparse, with mostly bushes providing some shelter from the sun.

Hilltop - Képesfa (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road

The pleasantly sloping road is free of major bumps. Turning left, we leave the P▲ sign, and slowly reach the highest point, from where we can enjoy pedaling among the trees, before first turning left and then right at the bottom of a short downhill. Here a sign indicates the proximity of the characteristic local hill, Nagy-Kopasz. Then begins a distinctly strong descent. The heavily limestone soil is crossed in places by serious water cuts, so descend with increased caution! The longitudinal ditches can easily guide our wheels, making falls hard to avoid.

As the slope gradually eases, the road becomes smoother and safer. We pass an obelisk on the left, commemorating two foresters, István Fehér and Tibor Fehér. The pleasant descent ends at a T-junction, where to the right we can continue toward Nagykovácsi and to the left toward Telki.

Képesfa - Nagykovácsi (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

We choose the right side, heading north at first on a rather unpleasant dozer road scattered with large stones and water cuts, so focus intensely! Conditions improve over time, and the terrain becomes smoother and easier to handle. At the end of the straight slope, Nagykovácsi appears, surrounded by fields on both sides. On the left, the bare cliffs of Széna Hill provide a spectacular backdrop. After leaving the barrier, be attentive because instead of rolling into the last street of the village, turn left onto a narrow grassy path! Once inside the large village, only a right turn awaits and we are almost at the center. Passing the church, we find the P+B point on Kossuth Lajos street.

Nagykovácsi - Képesfa (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

From the parking lot, heading back toward the church and rounding it, we quickly reach the outskirts of the settlement again. With a left turn, we join Telki road, practically there already. We cross a small bridge over the Ördög-árok, originating nearby and leading to downtown, and slowly leave Nagykovácsi. The single-track narrow road turning right joins a wide dozer road leading into the forest after a few hundred meters, then we reach the forest edge. The steadily ascending road becomes steeper, and the limestone gravel here is replaced by fist-sized or larger stones. Fortunately, this doesn't last long: soon we reach Képesfa, on the right side. In the aptly named Windbreak Forest, a devastating storm struck in 1924, sadly claiming victims. In memory, a holy picture was placed on the old oak tree standing here.

Képesfa - Hilltop (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road

From the intersection, start with an easy gear, as two kilometers of continuous climbing await, getting steeper in the second half. At first, we ride on a comfortable, even dirt road, but the terrain gradually turns limestone and we encounter larger stones. Here and there, ditches also complicate the ride. So we must battle not only the climb but also carefully select the line.

At the intersection, turn left! For a few meters, we ride together with the Z▲ sign (which leads up to nearby Nagy-Kopasz), but a right turn soon takes us off it.

We ride on a relatively flat and even section through the trees. In this area full of intersections, we change direction again, this time briefly joining the P▲ sign.

Hilltop - Wildlife Park (PB10)

• Terrain: dirt road, asphalt, gravel road

We travel on a mixed dirt and limestone forest road, where after a left and a right turn we emerge from the tree canopy. Here a limestone-based, perhaps technical descent dominates, where besides braking, we must deal with large stones. Also, our attention may be distracted by the beautiful, relatively rare panorama of János Hill and Nagy-Hárs Hill seen opposite. At the bottom of the descent, after narrow turns near the game fence, we reach a clearing topped by a high stand. Leaving the structure, we ride briefly among bushes, then asphalt beloved again under our tires.

We easily roll straight on the cracked asphalt for a long time, then at the Petneházy Hotel our road turns right. Shortly after, we turn left and cycle again on a dirt road. The peaks seen before reappear, providing similarly spectacular views. After passing the barrier, we meet the P+ sign, but soon after, at a Y-junction, we continue left. From here, just follow the dirt road to find yourself in the rear part of the parking lot where we started.