Cycling in the forest – cycling routes in the agglomeration

The Hungarian citadel of the Mediterranean lifestyle is not known for its flat terrain, so wherever you go, on foot or on two wheels, you are guaranteed a beautiful view.  If you are looking for a bit of nature outside the city, the favourite cycling route of Pécs is no ordinary one: most of the 13.5-kilometre route winds through the forest, which turns white in spring when the ramson is in bloom. The route starts from the well-known Teca Mama restaurant, where you can freshen up before the ride, but then the start is a steep climb.  If your morning hasn’t been adrenaline-packed enough, here is the perfect opportunity for an extra boost! When we are feeling the effects of the climb, we can take a rest in the recently renovated forest rest area next to the Lake of Éger Valley, and then continue our journey while enjoying the beautiful panorama of the Villány Hills and the city of Pécs. The ride to Remeterét is a real cycling delight, and you don’t even need brakes until Orfű – just a huge roll in the shade of the beech trees. Leaving the Malommúzeum (Mill Museum), we cycle towards Pécsi-tó (Lake of Pécs) and then continue our way to the cave called Abaligeti-barlang.

The winding route between Somoskőújfalu and Eresztvény may be familiar to many, as it won the National Forestry Association’s “Forest Cycle Route of the Year” award in 2021. But what makes this route so special? The route starts from the Somoskőújfalu railway station in Nógrád county and runs to the Eresztvény playground, much of which follows the track of a former railway – although the tracks have long since been cleared, the road still stands up to the elements of weather. The railway track has a steady 3-4% gradient up to the Eresztvény artificial road, which guarantees a little challenge. The lower section passes through an old tunnel – one of the most spectacular parts of the road. The plateau area is also very popular with cross-country runners, hikers and mountain bikers. Along the way you will find rest areas, a bird park and a playground for families, or you can continue to the Medves-fennsík (‘Medves Plateau’), Margit-bánya (‘Margaret Mine’) and Közép-bánya (‘Central Mine’). If you are still in the mood, you can take in the sparkle of the Középbánya-tó (‘Central Mine Lake’) before a well-earned rest.

If you are looking for particularly magical places in Hungary, Dunakanyar (‘Danube Bend’) is one of them for sure. The panorama of Visegrád Castle and the cycle path from Vác to Ipolydamásd offers stunning views in all seasons, but it really shines in summer, especially at sunset, when the last rays of sunlight are just reaching the Danube and the Fellegvár (Citadel). Unrivalled scenery and good quality cycle paths make this an inviting weekend programme for experienced and novice cyclists alike. The road is almost completely level, so the smallest children, families, school groups and even the elderly can easily hop on two wheels. This cycle route has its own special atmosphere, as the 35-kilometre route closely follows the left bank of the Danube – reeds, groves, sandy beaches and rest areas, with the sound of the river rushing by. The tour takes in a number of popular attractions: Ördögsziklák (‘Devil’s Rocks’), Dobozi-orom (‘Dobozi Peak’), Remete-barlang (‘Hermit’s Cave’), while you can also see the peaks of the Pilis mountains, as well as some wildlife. This route is part of EuroVelo 6, also known as the Atlantic – Black Sea international cycle route network, so you can cycle all the way to the capital.

Speaking of Forest Cycling Trail of the Year, let’s not forget last year’s winner, Széchenyi Park Forest in Szolnok! The road crossing the ecotourism park forest winds along the northern edge of Szolnok, next to the Zagyva river. Part of the forest cycle path, which is about 5 kilometres long, has a total of 1 026 metres of solid surface. The path runs under oak trees with stems and is connected to the cycle path network of the city of Szolnok, making it easy to get between the city and nature.

Along the way, there are cycling dirt and speed trails for adults and children, offering a real challenge for those looking for an extra thrill. In the park forest, in addition to the above, there are two themed demonstration areas, outdoor cooking and fire pits. There is also a 1.2-hectare playground in the park, with equipment made of natural materials, mainly acacia and pine, to enhance the harmony between visitors and nature.