Sultans Trail in Hungary
Beautiful hiking trail in Hungary. The map below
shows the route of the Sultans Trail in Hungary.
The Sultans Trail in Hungary covers some lively cities like Budapest, Esztergom and Győr. The view over the Danube is spectacular when you are in Dobogókő. You will see cities, where kings were crowned like Székesfehérvár and the countryside is breathtaking so close to the Danube, where the birdlife is extravagant.
The route stays close to the Danube for most of the way. The only deviation of this course is when the trail passes by Székesfehérvár, the Royal city of the Hungarian kingdom, and the place where most kings were crowned and buried.
From Székesfehérvár, the trail turns back to the Danube, in Roman times the border of the empire, here called the Ripa Pannonica. At Dunaföldvár the trail is back at the Danube again. All the way to Mohács, the land is flat and marshy. The Danube used to meander through the plain here. Some of the former landscape has been preserved in the large nature reserve called ‘Gemenc forest’ at the convulsions of the Sió river and the Danube.
HUNGARY
Tracks
General information
From Esztergom to Budapest the trail passes through the wooded hills of the Pilis mountains, (Pilisszentkereszt), a former crown dominion. It is here that the trail reaches its highest point, in this section, at Dobogókö in the Visigrád hills (700m.).
From Dobogókö the trail continues to Óbuda, where Aquincum can be found, the Roman roots of Budapest. From Óbuda it is only a short distance to Castle hill of Buda and the Parliamentary building in Pest, on the other side of the Danube. The landscape is predominantly flat, river land, with large agricultural fields and small, spread-out villages. And between, Esztergom and Budapest, low hills
Start point
How to get there
Bratislava International Airport (IATA code: BTS), Letisko M. R. Štefánika, is located north-east of the town and has a regular bus connection to the city centre. See www.bts.aero/en/
Bratislava is also served by Vienna International Airport with which it has a frequent bus connection.
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (IATA code: BUD) is frequented by ca 50 airlines, including various low-cost carriers. The airport serves as a hub for Wizz Air and as a base for Ryanair.
The airport is located 16km southeast of the city. It is connected to the city by bus lines; bus 100E to Deák Ferenc tér and bus 200E to Köbánya-Kispest Metro Station, transfer to Metro line M3 and city bus line 61, see also www.bud.hu/en and www.imhd.sk
Budapest also has good bus- and train connections to many major (eastern) European cities, see www.bahn.de and www.goeuro.com
GPX/KML files
GPX/KML files are available from our webshop in the Digital Information Package. Also available in the Sultans Trail App from Google Playstore. Tracks are free for our members, who also enjoy other benefits, like the Sultans Trail passport.
Formalities
Austria, Slovakia and Hungary are EU members and part of the Schengen zone (no border formalities between them).
The currency in Austria and Slovakia is Euro.
The currency in Hungary is Florint, with a relatively stable exchange rate to the Euro. Currency code HUF. Credit cards and bank cards are readily accepted.
The main languages along the route are Slovakian and Hungarian, but English and German are also often understood.
Route Updates
Connecting countries
Landscape
From Esztergom to Budapest the trail passes through the wooded hills of the Pilis mountains, (Pilisszentkereszt), a former crown dominion. It is here that the trail reaches its highest point, in this section, at Dobogókö in the Visigrád hills (700m.).
From Dobogókö the trail continues to Óbuda, where Aquincum can be found, the Roman roots of Budapest. From Óbuda it is only a short distance to Castle hill of Buda and the Parliamentary building in Pest, on the other side of the Danube. The landscape is predominantly flat, river land, with large agricultural fields and small, spread-out villages. And between, Esztergom and Budapest, low hills
Nature
Food
Culture
Brief History
Monuments
In Rusovce the Roman fortress Gerulata is worth a visit. Unfortunately, Kaštieľ Rusovce is closed to the public, but the castle park is accessible and the trail runs through it.
The wetlands between Čunovo and Gabčíkovo are very much worthwhile.
Győr is a regional industrial center with Roman roots and a small Medieval center.
Komárnó has a charmingly refurbished center and interesting fortress. It’s twin city Komárom, on the Hungarian side of the Danube used to locate important fortifications dating from Roman times.
Stúrovo is situated near Esztergom at the Danube. Esztergom is a fortified town with a large episcopal cathedral.
Esztergom, seen from the Sultans Trail
The hills between Esztergom and Budapest reach up to 900m and used to be the crown dominions of the Hungarian monarchy.
Budapest is very much worth a visit. With its remains of ancient Roman Aquincum, Castle Hill, Fisherman’s wharf, House of Parliament, Art Nouveaux architecture, and numerous spa’s. Too much to mention.
Here we will quote a recommendation.
