Pilis Bike Pilis wine tour (INFO Piliscsév, railway station)

Itinerary:

• From Piliscsév to the center of Kesztölc, the PB12 sign marks the route.

• From here, the green bicycle sign is the guide.

• From Szántó-nyereg to Piliscsaba, follow the blue bicycle pictogram!

Description:

Piliscsév - Szántó-nyereg (PB12)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road, dirt road

Starting from the railway, we approach the settlement along a bicycle path running parallel to the main road, then as it ends, we carefully return to the roadway. We pedal following the curve of the main street forming the spine of the village, and at the far end, we continue straight along the gravel dozer road.

After a few kilometers, from the right appears the statue of Saint Vendel between the dozer road and the field. Interestingly, the area was already inhabited in Roman times; a Roman milestone found during plowing forms the base of the statue.

We find ourselves on a straight gravel dozer road, bordered on one side by fields and pastures, while mountains surround us in all directions in the background. We pedal straight along the field for a long time, our only task being to avoid the smaller and larger potholes. Upon reaching the border of Kesztölc, we turn right onto the asphalt road, and after a few minutes of cycling, we enter the settlement.

We leave the settlement on the low-traffic paved road connecting Kesztölc and Klastrompuszta. The quality varies greatly, from mirror-smooth freshly laid sections to cracked potholes. We start a steady climb towards the monastery ruins. It is a rare exception here to legally be able to cycle on the National Blue Trail route. Upon arrival at Klastrompuszta, take a short rest for the next section, as entering the forest we have to deal with a few hundred meters of steep, slightly technical terrain. After that, it becomes easy again; we continue almost on level ground along the hillside. We mainly travel on a limestone dirt road, but on a longer section we can ride on a nicely smoothed road sprinkled with fine gravel. This part of the route is a restful, calm section of our ride.

After the stone niche area, a breathtaking view unfolds towards Pilisszántó and its exceptional location. The settlement had very high traffic in ancient times, as the Roman military road passed through here. The milestone placed beside the road in 230 AD commemorates this – it can still be seen next to the Roman Catholic church today. It is worth taking a short detour in the settlement to visit the Orosdy Castle built in 1895 along Kossuth Street – Orosdy Street. The frequently altered building currently operates as a pilgrim hostel.

The mountain is mentioned not only for its numerous natural values but also in a sacred context. Soon we will see that besides Dobogókő, Pilisszántó has also become a pilgrimage site. Along our way, hidden among the trees on the left, is the Rock Theater. At its entrance stand a memorial to Albert Wass and a Trianon commemorative memorial. Above the hollow, on one of the rock ledges, since the 2016 winter solstice, we can see the blessing-giving Jesus statue. A few steps away is the Blessed Virgin Chapel designed by Imre Makovecz, from the porch of which you get a wonderful panorama across the village view all the way to the Buda Hills. The Pilis Cross rises above the building. On the Star Trail opened in 2007, carved pillars recall the great figures of Hungarian history.

Szántó-nyereg - Iluska Spring (PB6)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

Once on the asphalt, you just need to hold onto the brake lever; an easy downhill will follow. After gliding a few hundred meters, turn right towards the fields and pedal into the forest! Here, it is worth taking another look back and bidding farewell to the mountains. Our last climb follows, where we travel on a compacted road filled with speed bumps towards the Iluska Spring.

Iluska Spring - Klotildliget (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road

Around the Iluska Spring, our path merges with a similar cycling-designated trail coming from Pilisvörösvár. But we turn right and continue, having only to follow the small blue bicycles painted on the trees along the fence, then turn left. After passing a developed resting place, we just have to glide into the Klotildliget railway station.