distance 73.9 km; journey time 22 hours 20 minutes

Perhaps there is no other part of the country where the centuries-old architectural tradition coexists in such visible proximity with the traces of settlement development imposed on it during the decades of socialism; also, after the regime change the feeling of detachment and hopelessness are becoming more and more discernible. In some places, however, newly built summer cottages promote the appearance of tourism, but the townscape of Cserhát is still a strange time travel.

During our tour, we climb under the peak of Szanda castle ruins, from where we must not miss the detour to the top of the mountain.  From above, we can observe the typical Cserhát landscape: low elevations are covered by forests, while in the deeper areas, pastures and fields stretch with tiny villages hiding between them.

Descending to Szandaváralja and Terény, we reach wonderful rows of palóc houses, then dig our way from the slightly shabby Cserhátsurány into the largest forest of the region. Touching Nógrádsipek, we ascend among the peaks, then take a small detour to visit the magnificent panoramic view of Dobogó-tető. In addition to the highland mountains, our next region, the Mátra is also visible.

After the view from the Castle of Hollókő, we walk along the cobblestones of the old village in one of the country's most beautiful world heritage sites. After visiting two small villages, we conquer the wild trails of the Tepke: from the ridge belonging to Mátra, the peaks of our highest mountain dominate the view. Descending below, the Mátra looks bigger and more inviting. But first, we visit other small villages nestled between the hills of the Cserhát, so that upon arriving in Mátraverébély we cross the landscape border marked on the Zagyva line.

TIPS

• Don’t miss the Szanda castle visit, it is only a 10–20-minute detour from the Blue Trail.

• In Terény it’s worth to see the unique exhibition, the Reel-to-reel Tape Recorder Museum.

Section lengths from stamp to stamp (in kilometers)

Becske 6 Szandaváralja 10.3 Cserhátsurány 9.2 Nógrádsipek 11.5 Hollókő 10.3 Bableves tavern 13.6 Nagybárkány 13.1 Mátraverebély

Recommended embarkation and disembarkation points along the route

• Szandaváralja (OKTPH_93): Szandaváralja, co-op liquor store bus stop

• Cserhátsurány (OKTPH_94_1, OKTPH_94_2): Cserhátsurány, mutual savings bank bus stop

• Nógrádsipek (OKTPH_95_1, OKTPH_95_2): Nógrádsipek, bus waiting room bus stop

• Hollókő (OKTPH_96_1, OKTPH_96_2): Hollókő, bus waiting room bus stop

• Bableves tavern - near Alsótold (OKTPH_97): Kozárd, Nagymező intersection bus stop

• Nagybárkány (OKTPH_98_1): Nagybárkány, village hall bus stop