One-Day Badge-Earning Hikes for Late Fall

An article from Turista Magazin.

What exactly will it be about?

• One-day hikes to earn badges, from the Gödöllő Hills to the Gerecse Mountains
• Cliffs, monastery ruins, and mountain peaks
• Wanderings around Lake Balaton and hidden gems in the Kőszeg Mountains

The term “hiking movement” sounds a bit outdated these days; nowadays we tend to use the phrase “badge-earning hike,” but this doesn’t change the essence of the matter at all. This increasingly popular form of themed hiking is, so to speak, in its heyday – just think of the National Blue Trail’s unprecedented popularity –  but in addition to the more famous routes, there are still plenty of other excellent hikes – both long and short – to choose from, which can add a new experience and a new dimension to your hike even in a familiar landscape. So, let’s take a look at a few examples that can be completed in a single day!

When most of us think of blue hiking trails, the National Blue Trail comes to mind, even though a specific region can also have its own blue-marked trail, such as the Bükk, the Börzsöny, or the Gödöllő Hills – and the latter route can be completed in a single day. The Gödöllő region’s own blue-marked hiking trail features minimal elevation gain and covers a distance of just 20 km between Gödöllő and Bag. As you explore the undulating landscape in this peaceful setting, you can admire the burial mounds along Király Road, the Csörsz Ditch near the Erzsébet Rest Area, furthermore, the Gödöllő Forestry Arboretum, which boasts a nationally renowned collection. You can read more about the route and the details of earning the badge in this article.

Nowadays, “instant hikes” are popping up like mushrooms; these are essentially hiking initiatives where the logbook and stamp pad have been replaced by QR codes placed in the field and a cell phone. This 21st-century solution not only verifies the hike but also allows for measuring elapsed time, providing additional information, enabling online tracking, and may include numerous other features. One such badge-earning hiking series, collectively known simply as the “Miners’ Circle,” consists of 10 hikes of varying lengths – most of which can be completed in a single day – each offering its own badge. One thing is certain: the badge-earning hikes that invite you to the lesser-known eastern part of the Gerecse Mountains will not only guide you to reminders of the region’s industrial past but will also showcase all the beauty the area has to offer. You can read more about the hiking circuits and how to earn badges in this article.

Hungary’s oldest and most exciting geological region is made up of spectacular boulders and stone seas, granite cones, furthermore, massive rock formations, which most closely resemble a playground for giants. This hiking route, which is also organized annually as a challenge hike, covers just 18 km and 480 m of elevation gain in a loop, and can be comfortably completed in a single day. Starting from Sukoró, you can explore the Velence Mountains’ small but unique “rock garden.” This hike offers a memorable experience for both children and adults alike, and as a reward – or a keepsake, if you wish – you can even receive a beautiful badge. You can read more about the “From Rock to Rock in the Velence Mountains” hiking program by clicking here.

In this diverse mountain range, which promises countless experiences, there are plenty of hiking programs where you can earn badges, but in this list we’ll mention only those that can be completed in a single day – even with children. One such hike is the Circle the Pilis, which starts in Pilisszentkereszt and takes you on an 18-km loop to, among other places, the unique Chapel of Our Lady on the outskirts of Pilisszántó, the monastery ruins in Klastrompuszta, the spectacular Ördög-lyuk (Devil’s Hole) near Döme-halála, the comfortable resting spot known as Mária-pad, and the Cistercian monastery ruins in Pilisszentkereszt. This hike, which also partially follows the famous Roman Road, is worth supplementing with other points of interest in the area. You can find even more information about the hike on the website of the Piliscsaba Nature Hikers’ Association – where you’ll also find other hiking tips.

The title says it all. The goal of this hiking initiative is simply to showcase the medieval monastery ruins in the Pilis and Hungary’s glorious historical monuments along a single route. The 25-kilometer route between Dömös and Dobogókő includes nearly 1,500 meters of elevation gain, but these figures do not pose an insurmountable challenge even for less-trained hikers. These ruins, nestled in picturesque surroundings, are definitely worth visiting even without earning a badge.

To avoid recommending only hikes near the capital, we strive to provide examples from across the country of badge-qualifying hikes that can be completed in a single day.

In the Bükk Mountains, for example, you can collect the 20 highest peaks of the range along a route of your choice (ideally covering a distance of 25 km with 1,500 m of elevation gain). The Bükk 900 Peaks hiking initiative can be a leisurely, unrestricted summit-collecting adventure with panoramic views or a challenging athletic feat. It’s up to us how we explore the western heights of the beautiful Bükk Plateau, but one thing is certain: this hike – weather permitting – will be a rewarding journey with panoramic views.

The name Imre Orbán is well known among endurance hikers and those participating in hiking challenges, and we’ve already included some of his hiking suggestions in this list. Among the tour organizer’s many excellent themes, we’d like to highlight three Lake Balaton trails that cover Somló, Badacsony, and the Tihany Peninsula, each via a comfortable 15-km loop hike. For all three hikes, there’s hardly any need to describe the magnificence of the scenery provided by Lake Balaton’s landscape and built environment. We have just one recommendation for those who haven’t yet visited this region: be sure to bring a camera, because the views here are breathtaking regardless of the season.

There are practically countless sights to see in this region, and this hiking guide does not even attempt to present them all. In fact, it reveals the lesser-known highlights of the terrain along less-travelled routes, while also introducing us to the mountain range’s unique natural treasures and unparalleled atmosphere. The recommended route for the hike is 31 km long and includes an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 m, but there is no time limit for completing it; you can explore the six locations listed in the itinerary from any direction and in sections. You can read in detail about the (more) hidden treasures of the Kőszeg Mountains in this article.

Explore the country with the Hungarian Hiking Association!

If you’d like to learn more about Hungary’s natural and cultural treasures, visit the Turista Magazin website, published by the Hungarian Hiking Association, for tips and ideas, or download the Természetjáró app with maps, which recommends a wide variety of hiking, biking, and water tours throughout the country.

Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Péter Lánczi / MTSZ (Photo 1)
Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Márton Magócsi / MTSZ (Photo 2)
Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Péter Farkas / MTSZ (Photo 3, Photo 7)
Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Judit Tóth / MTSZ (Photos 4–5)
Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Áron Dömsödi / MTSZ (Photo 6)
Photos: Hungarian Hiking Association (Turista Magazine) / Attila Gulyás / MTSZ (Photo 8)