It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming – one of the year’s most vibrant endurance hikes, the 14th Decathlon Mátra Hike!

The 14th Decathlon Mátra Hike offers both an experience and a sporting challenge, and this year, for the first time, it is joining the Ötpróba event series, where hikers can earn valuable points in the Ötpróba (Pentathlon) virtual points system.

For years, the organizers have made it a priority to appeal to all forest-goers: the event is for those who enjoy getting out into nature, as well as those who are constantly seeking new challenges. Thanks to the various distances, everyone from families with young children to dog-walkers and experienced hikers can find the ideal challenge for themselves.

One of the tour’s greatest strengths is that you can choose from seven different routes, depending on your fitness level. From the playful “Törptúra” (just 1 kilometer long) to the nearly 50-kilometer routes featuring significant elevation gains, everyone can find a challenge that suits them. The shorter loops – such as the Kölyöktúra, Farkaskút 7, or Sástó 13 routes – lead through easily navigable terrain, making them ideal for families and beginners. On the medium-length routes, we can expect more serious challenges, with elevation gains of up to 1,000 meters; in return, the routes pass by iconic landmarks such as Kékestető or Galyatető, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Kékestető 25, Ilona Valley 30, and Galyatető 50 are the three longest distances of the 14th Decathlon Mátra Hike – these sections can pose a serious challenge, with elevation gains exceeding 1,500–2,000 meters in places. On these routes, hikers can explore the wild and romantic parts of the Mátra: they’ll pass one of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions, the Ilona Valley Waterfall, and can take a break in the charming area around Lajosháza, while forest trails, springs, and lookout points alternate along the way.

Bianka, one of the main organizers, has a personal favourite: the Kékestető 25. This route is also celebrating its 14th anniversary this year and holds a real curiosity: if you look at the map, its trail forms a heart.

The organizers are making a special effort to ensure that the sporting event has as little impact on the environment as possible. To this end, they avoid single-use plastics, so participants are also asked to bring a water bottle or their own cup. Refreshments are provided from refillable water stations, and the routes are marked with recycled tape. After the event, the area is cleaned up, and selective waste collection is also provided. They are eliminating printed certificates, instead recognizing completion with a durable, recycled aluminium pin. Additionally, the organizers continuously raise awareness about responsible behaviour in the forest and encourage reducing car use.

We can expect the event to be well-organized in terms of practical details, so there’s no need to set off with a fully packed backpack! Refreshment stations will be set up in Mátrafüred, on Kékestető and Galyatető, as well as near the Ilona Valley waterfall and in the Lajosháza area. Here, you can grab energy-boosting snacks, fruit, fruit juice, and water, and on the longer distances, you can “refuel” with isotonic drinks and other supplements.

The start-finish area will feature bag check, restrooms, and medical supervision, and the great atmosphere is guaranteed thanks to a variety of community programs. You don’t have to leave your four-legged friend at home, but please keep them on a leash in the start-finish area. It’s also important to note that on-site registration is not available; participation requires advance registration.

According to the organizers, both Decathlon Loyalty Program members and new registrants can look forward to extra gifts – we can reveal that you’ll receive 2,000 points for registering, plus an additional 1,000 points for presenting your loyalty card on-site.