From Máriabesnyő to Kistarcsa on the Mária Route - hiking with faith

Through a fellow believer and friend, I had the opportunity to take part in a 20 km section of the 2017 Holy Right Pilgrimage between Máriabesnyő and Kistarcsa. Since this was not an endurance route, the concept of elevation time did not exist on the day of the pilgrimage. Our journey led along the Mária Út, the details of which I now share with you.

At the edge of Máriabesnyő, along main road 3, you can start from the Great Lady basilica following the purple Mária Út sign, whose beginning already holds many sights for you. It is worth walking around the shrine and admiring the church built in 1761 by Antal Grassalkovich. The chapel is currently still an important and popular place of pilgrimage thanks to several answered prayers. Starting from the church, you travel along the 14-station cross path, at the end of which you find yourself facing a beautifully carved Székely gate.

Leaving the shrine behind, still following the purple Mária Út sign, you explore the Fenyvesi district of Gödöllő, which is a charming garden suburb. Crossing to the right side of the road lined with beautiful family homes, you encounter the Saint Stephen University Park Forest. Walking on the wide path, you can observe the abundance of two dominant plant species in the forest: oak trees and the sea of ivy climbing on them, almost completely covering the ground. In summer heat, this is a pleasantly cool, shady forest, making the crossing very atmospheric.

Leaving the forest, still following the purple Mária Út sign, you proceed through a residential area on paved streets, passing through the town of Gödöllő. Along the Mária Út, numerous impressive buildings stand waiting for visitors. On this route, you can see — and if you feel like it, enter for a ticket and tour — the Gödöllő Royal Castle, where Queen Elisabeth (nickname Sisi) once lived and greatly enjoyed the Hungarian rural lifestyle, thanks to gypsy music, parks woven with footpaths, and hunting.

I recommend making a small detour from the Mária Út as it is worth it. Continuing from the castle, cross the main road 3 and the HÉV tracks, then go through Freedom Square up to Kossuth Lajos street, where turning right at the beginning of Szent Imre street, you can spot the modern brick building of the Holy Trinity Church. It is worth visiting this unusual church and seeing its seven-story tower as well as the apse decorated with 63 stained glass windows (a semicircular niche where the altar is located).

From the brick church, continue back to Kossuth Lajos street, turn right and proceed. Next to the building of the National Tax and Customs Administration, in the former parish garden — which the current owner has lovingly turned into a fairy garden — stands a 7.38-meter-high light cross. The size of the cross is no coincidence, as Christ’s cross stood on the 738-meter-high Golgotha hill. Believers worldwide have erected similar light crosses of the same dimensions, reinforcing their faith and their congregations' unity. If you would like to participate in a joint prayer at the light cross during your journey, contact the Flame of Love Congregation before your arrival.

At the end of Kossuth Lajos street, you find yourself opposite the Elisabeth Park, through which your path continues following the purple Mária Út sign. The park's central gravel footpath lined with linden trees and the Queen Elisabeth statue at the end of the path are captivating in every season.

Beyond the park up to Kerepes, the route is characterized by a well-travelled path and dirt road. Crossing over road M31, you reach the first and only incline. After overcoming the elevation, only forests and fields alternate until you reach the HÉV tracks, across which lies another denser forest area until you reach a plowed field-like clearing with sturdy electric poles. Continuing straight here, you soon arrive at a sloping section beside a plowed field, where you must turn left towards Kerepes, visible in the distance. This road leads to the town’s edge, from where you continue your journey on paved streets all the way to the destination.

Along Kerepes main road, Freedom Road, the purple Mária Út sign continues, leading you soon to the Saint Anne Church. Here you can refill water, and besides your water bottle, you can recharge yourself by resting in the cozy small church garden.

Since this route ends at the Kistarcsa HÉV station, from Saint Anne Church onward, you only need to follow the purple Mária Út sign until the intersection of Freedom Road and Mogyoródi Road. From here, continue straight along Freedom Road. As pedestrian traffic at the HÉV stop does not follow main road 3, you must turn left at Youth Square, then right at the street end, passing under the overpass, where turning left you will already see benches inviting rest at the platform edge.