About 40 kilometres north of Budapest, the Danube River makes a sharp, almost 90-degree turn between forested hills. This stretch, known as the Danube Bend (Dunakanyar in Hungarian), is where two mountain ranges, the Visegradi and Borzsony, press close to the river, creating one of Hungary's most dramatic landscapes. It's also one of the most accessible hiking areas from the capital, making it ideal for day trips.
We explored the area over four separate visits, each time finding trails that offered genuine rewards without requiring expedition-level fitness. The combination of river views, castle ruins, and forested ridges makes this a particularly satisfying region to walk through.
The Danube Bend seen from Visegrad, where the river makes its famous turn. Photo: Denis Barthel / CC BY-SA 3.0
Visegrad Trails
Visegrad is the natural centre of Danube Bend hiking. This small town sits directly on the bend itself, overlooked by a 13th-century citadel perched 328 metres above the river. The trails here range from short climbs to full-day forest walks.
Visegrad Citadel Trail
Distance: 3.5 km (one way from town) | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1.5-2 hours up
The most popular hike in the area, and deservedly so. The trail starts near Solomon's Tower in the lower town and climbs through forest to the Upper Castle (Fellegvar). The path is well-marked and maintained, with a few steep switchbacks near the top. The reward is a panoramic view of the Danube Bend that's genuinely breathtaking; on a clear day, you can trace the river in both directions.
The citadel itself is open for visits (small entry fee) and includes exhibits on the castle's history as a royal residence. We recommend arriving early, ideally before 10 AM, to enjoy the view without crowds. You can descend the same way or take the forest road that loops around to the western side of the hill.
Pilisszentlaszlo Forest Loop
Distance: 14 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 5-6 hours
A longer route that takes you into the deeper forest of the Visegradi Mountains. Starting from Visegrad, follow the blue trail north through beech forest to the village of Pilisszentlaszlo, then return via the red trail along the ridgeline. The terrain undulates gently, with occasional clearings offering glimpses of the surrounding hills. This trail sees far fewer walkers than the citadel route and offers a genuine feeling of solitude.
Szentendre Area Walks
Szentendre is known primarily as an artists' town with colourful baroque architecture, but the hills behind it offer surprisingly good walking.
Szentendre to Pomaz Ridge Walk
Distance: 10 km | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Time: 3-4 hours
This trail follows the ridge above Szentendre through mixed forest, with occasional viewpoints looking down over the town and the Danube. The path is well-marked with yellow trail signs and connects to the broader Pilis trail network. Start from the bus stop at Szentendre Sztaravodai and follow the yellow markers uphill. The descent into Pomaz is gentle, and buses run regularly back to Budapest.
Esztergom Connection
At the western end of the Danube Bend, Esztergom's massive basilica dominates the skyline. The town itself is less of a hiking base, but trails in the surrounding Pilis hills connect it to the broader network.
Esztergom to Domos Riverside Path
Distance: 8 km | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2-3 hours
A relaxed walk following the Danube downstream from Esztergom to the village of Domos. The path runs close to the river for most of its length, passing through meadows and small groves. It's flat, well-surfaced, and suitable for all ages. In Domos, you can catch a bus or ferry back, or extend the walk further toward Visegrad for a more ambitious day.
Getting There from Budapest
The Danube Bend is well-connected to Budapest by public transport, which makes it viable as a car-free hiking destination.
- By train: Regular trains run from Budapest Nyugati station to Nagymaros-Visegrad (approx. 1 hour). From Nagymaros, a short ferry crosses the Danube to Visegrad. Trains also serve Esztergom from Budapest Nyugati (1.5 hours).
- By bus: Volanbusz operates frequent services from Budapest Arpad hid station to Visegrad (1.5 hours) and Szentendre (40 minutes).
- By boat: From April to October, Mahart PassNave runs scheduled boats from Budapest's Vigado Square to Visegrad and Esztergom. The journey takes longer than bus or train but is an experience in itself.
- HEV suburban railway: The H5 line from Batthyany ter in Budapest reaches Szentendre in about 40 minutes and runs frequently.
Practical Tips
The Danube Bend trails are generally well-marked and maintained, but a few things are worth knowing:
- Mobile signal is reliable in the valley but can drop out on forested ridges. Download offline maps before setting out.
- There are no staffed mountain huts along the Danube Bend trails. Carry your own food and water. Villages along the routes have basic shops and the occasional restaurant.
- The riverside paths can be muddy after rain, especially in spring. Proper hiking footwear with ankle support is recommended for the ridge walks, though the valley paths are manageable in sturdy trainers.
- Hunting is permitted in some forest areas between October and February. Stick to marked trails during this period.
For detailed trail maps and current conditions, the Duna-Ipoly National Park website is the most reliable source. The Danube Bend Wikipedia article provides useful background on the region's geography and history.