It is a matter of point of view-Five fantastic lookouts in the Danube Bend

The Helembai Mountains, which lie in the territory of present-day Slovakia, look at us sadly from on high with its rocks like a little brother, who was torn off Börzsöny. You can get there from Garamkövesd by following the red sign, or ask the locals for directions, as everyone speaks Hungarian here. The easy walk is only 5 kilometres long, and on the way there is already a great view of the Danube, Esztergom, the majestic dome of the Basilica and the Maria Valéria Bridge. Getting to the top, we can see the upper section of the Danube Bend stretching from Gerecse to the Visegrád Mountains.

If we had been standing in the part from Nagymaros of Börzsöny 15 million years ago, we could have admired the lava flows from the 1,500-meter-high volcanic cones that used to flow into the shallow sea below us. By now, however, the sea has disappeared, the Danube has cut the mountain in half, and only remnant rocks are reminiscent of volcanic activity. Setting off from Nagymaros on the yellow sign, we can approach the Hermit’s Cave on the path leading along St. Michael's Hill, the last section of which leads down steeply so we should hike there carefully. Arriving at the entrances of the caves, we can admire the graceful curves of the Danube from the top of a vertiginous cliff, as well as the majestic ranges of the Visegrád Mountains on the right bank.

From Kismaros, following the green triangle sign, we can reach the protrusion of rock on the side of Gál Mountain. We can approach it on several routes, as the whole network of cart routes testifies that the mountain and the surrounding forests also played a decisive role in our great-grandfathers’ life. Even the trenches of the forest drive give a view of the Great Lightning, and descending a few steps to the cliff edge exposed to the south, we can admire the Pilis, the castle of King Matthias and even Vác in all its splendor!

Obviously, the first and one of the most important aspects of building a castle is choosing the right location. The iconic edifice could not have been in a better place than on the massive rock cone rising above the Danube. According to legends, even Freddie Mercury, who sailed for it, wondered if he would spend his retirement years here after the Queen in a royal position. On foot, walking from the Klára Zách cobblestone street, we depart on a steep path up the stairs of Calvary, touching a chapel as well. In about 45 minutes you can climb the ridge of Calvary Hill, on the southwest side of Castle Hill. Admission to the castle area is free on Hungarian national holidays.

There is probably no other point of the Danube Bend with such a distinctive view as the Preacher’s chair. From the masses of the Instagram generation to the most prepared nature photographer, almost everyone wants to capture the proudly towering St. Michael's Hill in the stunning embrace of the Danube, the majestic Magas-Börzsöny behind it, and the neighbouring Visegrád citadel. It is no exaggeration to say that climbers can have one of the most fantastic sights in the country. All you have to do is get here through the Rám gorge in the valley of the Malom stream in Dömös. The fruit of the effort comes from the sight that unfolds in front of us, which can be admired from a newly built lookout. If we are really lucky and the weather is clean, dry, and sunny, we can even see the hackly, snow-capped mountain ranges of the High and Low Tatras! Let's take binoculars!