Budapest’s Green Wonders: Hiking Trails and Hidden Sculptures Await Explorers

The capital city celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, as did Hungary’s first nature conservation organization, the Hungarian Carpathian Association, also founded in 1873. Since the anniversary, the natural treasures of the capital have come even more to the fore: caves, lookout towers, riverside paths, and wooded hillsides offer plenty to discover for city dwellers and visitors alike.

Many refer to the Buda Hills as the lungs of Budapest, where János Hill, Hármashatár Hill, and the barren hills of Budaörs. attract hikers. In addition to the gorges and rock towers, the area’s wildlife is also unique: if you are lucky, you may spot a Pannonian lizard or an Aesculapian snake, and even shy deer and wild boars may appear on the trails.

You can enjoy the panorama of the capital from countless points, but three lookout towers are particularly emblematic. The romantic Erzsébet Lookout Tower, reminiscent of a knight’s castle, stands on top of János Hill and commemorates Queen Erzsébet, who herself enjoyed the view of the Buda hills from here. It can be reached by cable car from Normafa, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Tatra Mountains from the top.

The Károly Guckler Lookout Tower, with its octagonal shape and wooden beam structure, attracts attention at the top of Hármashatár Hill. It is named after the forest ranger who pioneered the reforestation of the Buda forests in the 19th century. The lookout tower is easily accessible from the city, offering views of both downtown Pest and the Pilis Mountains.

The Imre Makovecz Lookout Tower, towering over Kis-Hárs Hill, is one of the symbols of Hungarian organic architecture with its spiral staircase. The panoramic view from the 362-meter peak reveals János Hill, Tündér Hill, Nagy-Hárs Hill, and the iconic buildings of the city center. The lookout tower is also part of the Makovecz Route in Budapest, which connects the architect’s most important works as a thematic walking route.

The Buda Green Trail connects the city’s most beautiful hiking trails in three sections. The first section leads from Gellért Square to Tündér-szikla (18 km), starting on the side of Gellért Hill and continuing to Normafa, offering a series of panoramic viewpoints.

The second section starts from Hűvösvölgy, passing Apáthy Rock, the Árpád Lookout Tower, and the Károly Guckler Panorama Trail, and leads to Solymár Castle (14 km). The third stage starts in Solymár and leads through Nagykovácsi to Telki (15 km), passing the Ördöglyuk Cave and the Széltörés Forest. If you walk the entire route, you will see almost the entire cross-section of the Buda hills.

In addition to nature walks, a real urban adventure awaits: Mihály Kolodko’s tiny guerrilla sculptures. Starting from Nyugati Railway Station, you can hunt down seventeen mini-sculptures, including Skála Kópét, Micimackó, Garfield, and Herzl Tivadar.

On the Liberty Bridge, you will find Ferenc József lounging in a hammock, and on the Buda embankment, you will find many things: Remy, the rat from the cartoon Ratatouille; a Soviet soldier hiding in a pantry; the head worm sculpture; opposite the Parliament, on the embankment, a Rubik’s cube and a tank with a bent pipe. At the end of the tour, at the Margit Bridge, a suspended Trabant car closes the tour.

Via turizmus.com; Featured photo: Pexels

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