Pilis Bike Lavender Tour (INFO Piliscsaba, Klotildliget railway station)

Itinerary:

• Follow the blue cycling pictogram to Szántó-nyereg!
• From there, turn left following the green cycling sign.
• We have to turn back in the center of Kesztölc, then return along the same road.

The route in detail:

Klotildliget - Iluska Spring (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road

We start on a street parallel to the railway stop, then turn left at the first opportunity onto Szántói Street leading into the forest. We ride on a wide forest road among dense trees. An immediate climb ensures a good warm-up, but fortunately, we soon reach the top of the incline. Turning right onto a similar dirt road, we glide along beside a fence almost without pedaling. At the bottom of the slope, we turn left. Around the Iluska Spring, our route merges with a similar trail designated for cycling coming from Pilisvörösvár.

Iluska Spring - Szántó-nyereg (PB6)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

From here, we continue rolling towards Pilisszántó, where the only obstacles are speed bumps carefully placed on the well-smoothed grader road. Their dual function is to aid water drainage and prevent cyclists from speeding excessively. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, our path continues beside a field. This is the spot where it’s worth taking out phones or cameras, as we enjoy a beautiful view thanks to the Pilis, Hosszú Hill, and Kevély Hills. Riding further on a bumpy, rocky dirt road, we arrive at Pilisszántó’s center.

The settlement was quite busy in ancient times since a Roman military road passed through here. The memory of this is preserved by a milestone installed alongside the road in 230 AD – which can still be seen beside the Roman Catholic church. A short detour in the village is worthwhile to visit the Orosdy Castle built in 1895 along Kossuth Street – Orosdy Street. The building, modified several times, currently operates as a pilgrimage hostel. Turning left onto the main road, we begin our ascent to Szántó-nyereg. After a few minutes of climbing, our route continues left in a large rocky parking lot, then leaving the asphalt following the green cycling sign. We bumpy along increasingly rough ground on the side of the Pilis.

Szántó-nyereg - Kesztölc (PB12)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road, dirt road

Besides the many natural values of the mountain, it’s also mentioned in a sacramental context. Soon we can see that besides Dobogókő, Pilisszántó has also become a pilgrimage site. To our right, hidden among the trees, is the Rock Theatre. At its entrance stand the memorial of Albert Wass and the Trianon memorial post. Above the hollow in one of the rock ledges, since the 2016 winter solstice, we can see the blessing Jesus statue. A few steps away, we find the Our Lady Chapel designed by Imre Makovecz. From its forecourt, we enjoy a wonderful panorama over the village and all the way to the Buda Hills. The Cross of Pilis rises above the building. On the Star Path inaugurated in 2007, carved pillars recall the great figures of Hungarian history.

This area also offers many discoveries if you leave the route: you can explore the renovated calvary with chapel, climb up to the Pilisszántó rock niche on the PΩ trail, and on the Z● trail, you can sip water from the Trézsi well located in the nature reserve.

Continuing, we pass by the Limeburners' Well, commemorating a now-extinct craft passed down from father to son. We turn northwest, where we will travel for quite a while. Riding on the side of the Pilis, the mountain rises to our right, and to the left, Piliscsév, Pilisjászfalu, and their surroundings shape the landscape. Mainly, we proceed on limestone dirt roads, but on a longer section, we can pedal on a nicely smoothed road sprinkled with fine gravel. This road section is a relaxing, quiet part of our excursion, as we ride almost horizontally along the mountainside. A junction ends the comfortable ride, where the P mark crosses in front of us. However, continuing straight, we descend decisively and arrive at Klastrompuszta. Rolling out onto the asphalt, the village is opposite us, and the cloister ruins are to the left.

The canon Özséb of Esztergom renounced all his possessions after the Tatar invasion. Retreating to nature, he gathered hermits in a cave among the Csévi cliffs, then in 1250 built a church and monastery here, founding the Pauline Order. The monastery and the Gothic church were burned down during the Turkish wars in the 16th century; locals carried away the remains. In 1960, archaeologists from the Hungarian National Museum excavated the site. Özséb’s final resting place has belonged to the Paulines again since 2006.

Locking our bikes, we can hike a short way up to the nearby Legény and Leány caves on the KΩ and PΩ trails.

We leave the village on a low-traffic paved road connecting Klastrompuszta with Kesztölc. The quality varies greatly, from mirror-smooth fresh surfaces to cracked potholes. Arriving at the quiet, idyllic Kesztölc, the village center marks the furthest point of our route.

Kesztölc - Szántó-nyereg (PB12)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road, dirt road

Turning back, we start a persistent climb towards the cloister ruins. It’s a rare exception that here we can legally cycle on the National Blue Trail. Back in Klastrompuszta, we take a short rest for the next section, as upon entering the forest, we have to overcome a few hundred meters of steep, slightly technical terrain. After this, it’s easy again; we continue almost flat on the mountainside.

The area around the rock niche is a perfect example of why it’s worth cycling a route from multiple directions: on the way there, we might not have noticed the perfect view of Pilisszántó, but coming back, it’s impossible not to see and admire the panorama.

Szántó-nyereg - Iluska Spring (PB6)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

After reaching the asphalt, we just have to hold the brake lever; a gentle roll awaits us. At the now familiar junction, turn right towards the fields, cycling into the forest! Here it’s worth glancing back once more to say goodbye to the mountainous view. Our last climb follows on a dirt road plastered with speed bumps leading to Iluska Spring.

Iluska Spring - Klotildliget (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road

From here, turn right and simply follow the little blue cyclists painted on the trees back to the starting point.