Pilis Bike Villa Negra loop ride (Pilisszántó P+B)

Itinerary:

• From Szántó-nyereg to Iluska spring, we need to follow the blue bike trail marker.

• At Iluska spring, we switch to the green bike trail marker and then follow it to the sports field.

• From the sports field, follow the PB7-PB8 markers in Piliscsaba until the crossing with road 10.

• From there, the blue bike pictogram shows the way back to Iluska spring and then further to Szántó-nyereg.

Description:

Szántó-nyereg - Iluska spring (PB6)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

We start warming up with an easy roll, as we turn right out of the parking lot and descend on the asphalt. After the center of the settlement, we turn right into a small street. The asphalt slowly turns into gravel, and the town into forest. It's worth looking back briefly at the Pilis block before we begin a sustained climb that may make us sweat. Shortly after leaving the path leading to the Klotild cave, we reach the Iluska spring.

Iluska spring - Pilisszentiván (PB6, PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

At the junction, we turn left and continue to gain altitude. Meanwhile, the forest atmosphere changes, with pine trees predominating again. Upon reaching the top, the landscape opens to our right, and we begin to roll down to the edge of Pilisvörösvár. Following the green bike trail marker, we pass through small streets to the center of the town, where after passing through the underpass, we turn left at the gas station and continue on a narrow, one-lane street. Upon reaching Szabadság Street, there is only a corner left to ride, and turning left we spot the sports field, which is also the furthest point of our route. Beside the football field, we can take a detour to visit the namesake of our circle, the Villa Negra restaurant/snack bar, where we can replenish lost calories.

Pilisszentiván - Iluska spring (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road, sand, asphalt

At the northern tip of the sports field, we continue cycling towards Rét Street, where at the fork we turn left onto the left branch. We roll through a quiet street among family houses that gradually disappear as we enter the forest. We travel on a flat, straight road, with the only challenge being occasionally deep and soft sand. Emerging from the foliage, rocks and limestone dominate the landscape. Passing between Sóder Hill and Csaba Hill, we find ourselves on an abandoned shooting range. Built as a training ground for the Imperial and Royal Army, later used by the Soviet Army, the site is also notable as the filming location for some scenes of the film adaptation of Nobel laureate Imre Kertész's novel Sorstalanság.

If we can lock our bike somewhere and have time, it’s worth visiting two interesting rock formations on the right: the Mushroom rock and the Devil's altar rock. We will find both sights by following the K⩍ marker.

Continuing through industrial areas, we reach Piliscsaba, then through Máriapark Street we arrive at main road 10. Turning right here, we only need to go a corner, but the road continues left, so we must be very careful. If needed, pull over right to the roadside and cross the road with a second attempt. After two right and one left turn, we cycle in the Fényesliget residential park, and at the end of the street, we arrive at the Klotildliget Pilis Bike INFO POINT.

We cycle straight on a wide forest road through dense trees. A rarely seen climb makes sure we warm up well, but soon we reach the top of the ascent. Turning right onto a similar dirt road, we glide alongside a fence almost without pedaling. At the bottom of the slope, we turn left. Around Iluska spring, we arrive at a forest junction offering a choice of routes to Pilisszántó and Pilisvörösvár.

Iluska spring - Szántó-nyereg (PB6)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

We leave the junction to the left, and from here a pleasant descent leads all the way to the edge of Pilisszántó. As we leave the forest, a breathtaking view opens before our eyes. To the left, Pilis Peak towers over the beautifully situated village with the Blessed Özséb look-out, and to the right stretches the chain of Hosszú Hill and Kevély Hills. It is hard to tear ourselves away from the sight of the surrounding towering mountains. Heading straight, we reach the main road of Pilisszántó, then turning left we climb a steep ascent. On the edge of the settlement, we find the start and end point of our route on the left at the large rocky parking lot.