On the cones of Muzsla

Itinerary

• Start from Szurdokpüspöki on the Z+ trail and continue on it for over 8 kilometers.
• On the side of Muzsla, leave the wide dozer road to take the Z▲ trail.
• Upon reaching the Muzsla saddle, turn left onto the P trail all the way back to the starting point.

Detailed run

Starting from the parking lot in Szurdokpüspöki, you immediately find yourself at a Y junction. We now head right (Z+), and will return on the left (P) branch. Walking along Kápolna row, we soon reach the small chapel that gives the street its name. The shrine's small building hides a statue of Mary. Among the many dirt roads at the junction, always choose the marked one, passing by weekend houses and farms. On a narrow path heading left, we say goodbye to the settlement and enter the forest.

At the beginning, a rather steep task awaits us. Sometimes runnable, sometimes less runnable paths lead us uphill to Isten-fa-tető. Upon reaching it, the situation improves and the "flying phase" may return. Scenic mountain meadows border our path on the right, then we return into the forest depths to gain elevation on a dirt road. Soon, the Kis-Koncsúr and Nagy-Koncsúr appear on the left, and in the distance, the Muzsla cone is visible. We are going up there soon!

Our path joins a wide dirt road, which we continue on. The two-track road is a mix of rocky and dirt surfaces and is also rich in elevation gain. In this section, though we might expect a nice lookout tower, spring, or a built rest stop, maybe this is an advantage here: one can truly immerse in the beauty of nature, being undisturbed alone in the forest. After a few kilometers, our dirt road joins a surprisingly wide and well-smoothed dirt road. In the context of forest roads, this can even be called a highway. We can enjoy the "mirror asphalt" for a few minutes, but be alert, because shortly after, we leave the known trail to the left and continue running on the Z▲ trail. Only for a few steps though, because the steepest part of the day follows. With careful steps, we climb up to the Muzsla saddle, where our gaze sweeps towards Pásztó. Turning left on the P trail, about a quarter of a kilometer remains to the peak, but the sign understandably indicates 40 minutes for hikers for this short section. Climbing a steep, rocky path, a concrete block marks the Muzsla peak. Do not expect a view or summit experience here; that will come later.

We start the descent, but it cannot be called truly easy either. Occasionally smaller, sometimes bigger rocks and stones require attention, and tired thighs already feel the smaller waves. For a few dozen meters, expect climbing again, mainly around the Koncsúrok area. Earlier, upon reaching the Muzsla peak, we missed the real "summit experience" and the distant view. The good news is that we do not go home empty-handed: from the Koncsúr ridge, we can enjoy splendid views in two directions; this natural viewpoint is truly special.

After collecting photos, continue jogging down, but cautiously, as the terrain is heavily rocky and stony. Continuing to follow the P trail, our path leads across a barren hillside, almost like a wasteland, then steeply down to the bed of the Diós brook. Crossing to the other side, we reach a wide dirt road, along which we jog past weekend houses and plots to the border of Szurdokpüspöki. The church tower visible from afar indicates we are in the right place. Turning left, we head towards the cellar row, which ends at the familiar parking lot.