distance 56.3 km; travel time 16 hours 20 minutes

Route 10 crosses the Vértes, while making exciting detours to the sights of the mountains. The mountains - cut by forest roads - have a unique world.  In addition to its settlements with a mining history, they also attract us with their medieval castles and rich forest.

Crossing the Vértes takes several days, yet it is not a strenuous task. As we look up from the edge of the Bakony or Bodajk to the rocky hillside, we see a high wall in front of us. However, the appearance is deceiving: perhaps the gentlest mountain range in Transdanubia awaits us the next few kilometers. In terms of altitude, it is a hilly landscape: its peaks remain below 500 meters. The extensive forest of the landscape park is enclosed by a braid of hiking trails. Due to its location, we can find many historical monuments in the area: the mountains wedged between the plains of Kisalföld and Mezőföld - protecting the former coronation city of Székesfehérvár as a natural obstacle - hide many castle ruins. Some of them are also visited by the Blue Trail (Csókakő and Várgesztes Castle, Csáki Castle, Vitány Castle). The tranquility of the huge, closed forest block attracted monks of monasteries to the mountains.

Expect relatively easy mountain terrain at this route of the National Blue Trail. Due to the conditions of the highland, we touch few lookout points, in exchange we cross huge beech groves, wild forests, and tread the paths of steep-walled valleys. Meanwhile, we pass an abandoned village and Europe’s former largest bauxite mine.

TIPS

• We start our tour in the Mór wine region - Mór Ezerjó wine route 

• The mines of Gánt are worth a full day: the Bauxitological Geological Park is a unique presentation of the former mining in the area.

• In addition to the ruins, we can also visit two relatively intact castles: take time to visit the castles of Csókakő and Várgesztes!

• Before leaving the forest for Szárliget, it is worth visiting the Körtvélyes lookout tower, from where you can admire the spacious panorama of Gerecse.

• Due to the rock structure of Vértes, it is poor in springs, so have enough drinking water!

Section lengths from stamp to stamp (in kilometers)

Bodajk 8.5 Csókakő 14.2 Gánt 5.7 Mindszentpuszta 7.4 Kőhányás 4.9 Várgesztes 15.6 Szárliget

Recommended intermediate embarkation and disembarkation points along the route

• Gánt (OKTPH_51_1, OKTPH_51_2): Gánt, village hall bus stop

• Várgesztes (OKTPH_54_1, OKTPH_54_2): Várgesztes, bus roundabout bus stop