Perhaps every visitor of Hungary’s capital city is familiar with its landmark, the Gellert hill. But only a few people know, including locals, that there is a scenic hiking trail along the rocky hillside, just a few steps away from St. Gellert ter metro station.
Your best starting point is the metro station St. Gellert ter.
A more exciting way to reach the starting point is by boat. Regular city transport fares apply for boats.
From the foot of the hill, follow the green roadsigns
Soon you reach the first lookout point, with the statue of the first Hungarian king, St. Istvan.
It worths a visit to the Roman catholic chapel, in the greatest of the hill’s many caves.
Follow your way uphills
The next vista point is accessible thru a Y-junction off the yellow marked path.
The trail has a dead end, take here a U-turn to go back to the green markings.
Continue your way upstairs.
Remember this point: 99 out of 100 go straight upwards to the top of the hill, but you have to take a right turn, following the green signs. The coordinates of the junction: 47°486, 19°045
The levelled, easy to go hiking trail starts here.
No special equipment is necessary for the walk, the view is breathtaking.
Look to the south…
and then to the north.
Start to descend the stairs
Elisabeth bridge, behind the dome of the Basilica
Down below you can see the rooftop jacuzzi af the Rudas thermal bath.
Elisabeth bridge, with the Chain bridge and the Parliament building in the background.
At this fork you have to leave the green signs, turn sharply right.
Another - less known - landmark of Budapest, the statue of St. Gellert.
He was a medieval monk, who brougt christianity to the Hungarians. He was killed at this site, by throwing him down from the rocks.
The magnificent Royal castle, on top of Castle hill.
The 2 by 3 lanes of Elisabeth bridge are always crowded. This is a main road of the city, connenting two highways.
The two columns at the foot of the hill carry two falcons, called Turul. They were totem animals of the ancient Hungarian tribes.
Your final destination is Rudas bath, a turkish hamam, built in the period of the ottoman occupation, under the rule of Suleyman the Great. Nearby there are several bus and tramway stops to return. The whole trip takes about one hour, including some stops to shoot photos. It worths the effort to walk along!