Pilis Bike Vadaspark route (Nagykovácsi P+B)

Itinerary:

• From the start to Képesfa, follow the Z mark.
• From Képesfa to the Vadaspark, follow the blue cycling mark throughout.
• Return the same way in reverse order.

Description:

Nagykovácsi - Képesfa (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

Starting from the parking lot towards the church, then circling around it, we quickly approach the town boundary. Turning left onto Telki Road, we're practically there. We cross a small bridge over the Ördög-árok, which originates nearby and leads to the downtown, and slowly leave the settlement of Nagykovácsi. A narrow single-track path opening to the right joins a wide forest dozer road after a few hundred meters, then we reach the forest edge. The continuously ascending road becomes a bit steeper, and the limestone gravel is replaced by fist-sized or larger stones. Fortunately, this doesn't last long: we soon arrive at Képesfa, which we see on the right side. In the aptly named Széltörés Forest, a devastating storm struck in 1924, unfortunately claiming victims. In their memory, a sacred picture was placed on the old oak standing here.

Képesfa - Hegytető (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road

From the intersection, continue with an easy gear on the blue cycling mark, as two kilometers of continuous ascent await us, becoming steeper in the second half. Initially, we follow a comfortable, even dirt road, but the terrain gradually shifts to limestone gravel with larger stones along the way. Here and there, a rill complicates the route. So, we must not only cope with the climb but also carefully choose the path.

At the intersection, turn left! For a few meters, follow the Z▲ mark together (which leads up to the nearby Nagy-Kopasz), but soon turn right off it.

We proceed on a relatively flat and even section among the trees. In the vicinity full of intersections, we change direction again, this time following the P▲ mark for a short section.

Hegytető - Vadaspark (PB10)

• Terrain: dirt road, asphalt, gravel road

Traveling on a mixed dirt and limestone forest road, after a left and a right turn, we emerge from the tree canopy. Here, a limestone-based, possibly technical descent dominates, requiring braking and negotiating sizable stones. Also, our attention might be distracted by the beautiful panorama facing us—relatively rare in this area—of János Hill and Nagy-Hárs Hill. At the bottom of the descent, after tight turns near the game fence, we reach a clearing with a high lookout tower at the far end. Leaving the structure, we continue briefly through bushes, then we encounter asphalt beneath our tires again.

On the cracked asphalt, we roll easily and straight for quite a while, then at the Petneházy Hotel our path turns right. Shortly after, we turn left again and continue on a dirt road. The previously seen peaks appear again, offering similarly spectacular views. After passing the barrier, we meet the P+ mark, but not long after, at a Y-junction, we continue left. From here, just follow the dirt road until we slowly find ourselves in the rear part of the Vadaspark parking lot.

Vadaspark - Hegytető (PB10)

• Terrain: dirt road, asphalt, gravel road

After catching our breath and turning back, we head north to start. On a relatively loose soil dozer road, we leave the town edge until we join the P+ mark at a Y-junction, shortly after which we turn right and continue straight behind a barrier. The path passes along scrubland and meadow edges, then shifts onto poor-quality, old asphalt. After a few hundred meters, we turn left in front of the Petneházy Club Hotel.

We continue on cracked, worn asphalt, climbing very gently. For a few meters, we meet the P mark, then it leaves as does the asphalt road; the former turns right, the latter left toward the scout camp. We, however, go straight on a narrow path among the bushes. After passing the lookout tower, sharp turns at the clearing's far end lead us out alongside the game fence onto the dozer road.

A serious climb follows on this limestone-surfaced road: we must contend with both uneven ground and steep ascent. In sunny conditions, no shade is expected as we are exposed. A right turn finally lets us enter the cool shade of trees, but it’s worth looking back for a magnificent view as a reward for the climb. We continue uphill among the trees for a while longer, then after reaching the hilltop, a pleasant glide awaits us in the shade.

At the forest junction, we turn sharply left, then after a few minutes of riding, our path goes right. After the fork, we follow the merging Z+ mark, gently ascending among the trees. The spread limestone here is well pressed into the ground but still requires some attention. Shade from the trees becomes sparse, and only the scrub offers some protection from the sun.

Hegytető - Képesfa (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road

The pleasantly ascending road is free of major jolts. Turning left, we leave the P▲ mark and slowly reach the highest point, from where we can pedal comfortably among the trees before turning first left then right at the bottom of a short descent. Here, a sign indicates the proximity of the characteristic local hill, Nagy-Kopasz. Afterwards begins a definite descent. The heavily limestone terrain crosses significant rills, so descend with caution! Longitudinal channels can easily guide our wheels, making it hard to avoid falling.

As the slope lessens, the road becomes smoother and safer. We pass a column on the left commemorating foresters István Fehér and Tibor Fehér. The pleasant glide ends at a T-junction where we can continue right towards Nagykovácsi beside Képesfa, or left towards Telki. This time we choose the right side.

Képesfa - Nagykovácsi (PB10, PB11)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

Heading north, we initially ride on a quite unpleasant dozer road strewn with large stones and rills, so concentrate carefully! Conditions gradually improve becoming more manageable and smoother ground. At the end of the straight descent, Nagykovácsi appears, surrounded by fields on both sides. On the left, the barren cliffs of Széna Hill provide a spectacular backdrop. After leaving the barrier, be attentive as instead of rolling into the village’s last street, turn left onto a narrow, grassy path! Upon entering the town, only a right turn remains, and you are virtually in the town center. Circling the church, we find ourselves on Kossuth Lajos Street at the P+B point, where this wonderful ride started.