The unmissable Spartacus circle

Itinerary

• From the center of Pilisszentlászló, follow the P marking north along Honvéd Street, then stay on it along the Apátkúti creek all the way to Telgárthy meadow.
• At the small bridge and the height of the water steps, sharply turn left following the Z+ marking.
• After about two hundred meters, turn left onto the Z marking and follow it all the way back to the starting point.

Detailed description of the run

Starting from the Chapel of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, we follow the P marking then turn onto Honvéd Street. Jogging on asphalt, we say goodbye to the settlement. We reach a dirt road, and the houses become sparse, then we pass by the 'Treasure of Dharma' Zen temple. Shortly after, we catch sight of the winding line of the Apátkúti creek, which we soon cross on a small wooden bridge. From there begins our long dance with the creek as we cross its line dozens of times hereafter. We proceed on the steep edge carved by the creek, accompanied by babbling water and beautiful views.

The rocky, root-covered terrain, creek crossings, and occasionally narrow, exposed path edges require almost constant concentration on the terrain. Therefore, it is not advisable to daydream during the run—stop from time to time to enjoy the wild scenery! Depending on the creek's water level, with some skill, the dozens of crossings can be managed even with dry shoes. Gradually wetter ground indicates we are approaching the Alpár spring, and shortly thereafter we reach the popular and well-developed Kaán spring, an ideal spot for rest and refreshment.

Then we join the forest asphalt road leading to Pap meadow. After an abandoned quarry and the Apátkúti hunting lodge and trout ponds, the calm or sometimes bustling clearing of Telgárthy meadow appears, depending on the occasion. Shortly after the rain shelter, we leave the solid surface to the left and immediately find ourselves on a steep climb. (Z+) After 200 meters, we turn left from the two-track dirt road following the Z marking, continuing the run on a single-track path, a single-trail. We ascend continuously above the valley, enjoying the increasingly better views. Although in late autumn or winter the nature is not as lush as on a fine spring or summer day, you can catch some distant, well-known points in the absence of the canopy that cannot be seen otherwise. You can spot even the Visegrád Castle or the Zsitvay lookout.

Climbing up the narrow but excellently maintained hunting path, we eventually reach Jenő hut, where the Spartacus Trail shows that side for which it has become one of the most popular routes of the last decade. Following the hillside line with twists and turns, the increasingly exposed path slowly reveals the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and the Danube occasionally peeking through. If possible, it's worth finding a suitable spot here and catching your breath while enjoying the marvelous view.

Continuing further, we can still enjoy the excitement and magic of narrow, technical, exposed paths for a while before the landscape softens. From the single-track path turning onto a dirt road, a breath-catching walking section follows. Soon on the gently sloping dirt road, we can return to running and can once again greet Pilisszentlászló among weekend houses and plots. After horse farms and agricultural lands, the contrasting bright white Calvary signs on the left indicate that we have returned to the village. From here, following Béke Street, we just have to jog back to our starting point, Petőfi Square.