The crown of the Danube Bend

Itinerary

• From the start, we follow the P mark for a long stretch of 9.5 km to the Szentfa Chapel after Dömös. 
• From here, we run and climb along the P▲ mark to the lookout, then descend for a short distance on the same mark. 
• For a short section above the Király-kúti saddle, we switch to the equestrian trail mark, then the P▲ mark guides us again. 
• Shortly before the finish, we turn right onto the K↺ mark and jog back to the parking lot along this road near the antennas. 

Detailed description of the run

From our starting point beside the bus stop, we head towards the viewing terrace, then turn left to start jogging on the well-trodden path decorated with countless marks. After a few hundred meters, we have to pause briefly to admire the view unfolding before us. We are at the Rezső lookout, from which the northern part of the Visegrád Mountains can be beautifully seen. After marveling, we continue descending on a rather rocky, root-covered path, where the slope’s cushioning and the terrain suitable for footing challenge the runner. Gradually, all other marked paths turn away from ours, and we keep following the P mark. Soon, we reach a short, wooden staircase-laden switchback where we arrive at the Szakó saddle. 

At the fork, turning right, we remain on the familiar mark, and as we lose altitude, the terrain becomes gentler and more runnable. After one and a half kilometers, we cross the paved road from Pilismarót to the Király-kúti saddle; from there on, we run easily on a wide dirt road. Approaching the Dömös border, dramatic water-eroded valleys appear on the left, showing clearly how tree roots bind the soil. The mountain has only remained where there are trees; everything else has been taken by water. The stunning sight of Szent Mihály Mountain in the distance, as well as the prominently visible provost ruins and Árpád-era crypt ruins on the left, mark our arrival at Dömös. Running past the cemetery, we suddenly find ourselves on road 11, where, turning right, we jog on the sidewalk towards the distant church.  

Passing the church on the right, we take the atmospheric alleys back towards the forest, still following the P mark. Soon, we reach the end of the street, cross the creek, and continue the (running) adventure again in the forest. We wind along a narrow path beside the creek until the outline of the Szentfa Chapel appears between the trees. After the chapel, we turn left with a few steps onto the steep P▲ mark, marking the beginning of a truly impressive climb: its length and steepness are rarely matched among the local mountains. With varying steepness but continuous ascent, we struggle. Initially, we proceed on a narrow dirt path, then the terrain becomes rockier, more stony, and steeper. Suddenly, almost a rock wall appears in front of us, which with a bit of exaggeration can only be passed on all fours, followed by the Vadálló Rocks, the area's famous sights. Larger stone blocks appear on the right one after the other, which the path sometimes skirts easily, sometimes on particularly difficult terrain. The view also really starts to become magnificent here, sometimes admiring the lines of the surrounding mountains, sometimes the winding curve of the Danube grabs our attention.

After the rocks, turning left, we have to overcome a smoother but still definitely uphill section, whose reward is the Prédikálószék lookout. Even after this much climbing, it is worth taking the few steps up to fully admire the Danube winding below from the best spot. After a breath, we can easily re-engage in running. Keeping the P▲ mark in sight, we jog down the mountain. After a few hundred meters, on the gravel path, the P▲ and P+ marks go left, but we continue running right on the bulldozed road. Following the equestrian mark, we shortcut a bit of the way, then after five minutes of running, at the right-turning hairpin, we go straight off the wide road and find ourselves again on the narrow P▲ path. We reach the paved road with a steep descent, then crossing it, we soon have to cross the Király-kúti creek with the help of some steps. After a few steps, we pass the Király-kúti spring and after a while also spot the Király-kúti lodge. 

From here, we have another demanding climb, with over 250 meters of elevation gain still ahead. We proceed uphill on a winding, sometimes slightly rocky path, which even in mildly rainy weather tends to get muddy. Upon reaching a junction and a rain shelter, we change mark and follow the K↺ mark to cut the distance to the parking lot. Here we run past telecommunications antennas and then, for safety reasons, stay on the asphalt (the mark leads next to the former Nimród Hotel, which is in a ruined and dangerous condition) to jog back into the now familiar parking lot.