For the locals of Budapest, the most accessible section of the 1160 km-long National Blue Trail is section number 14. This hike is so convenient that you can use public transportation to reach the starting point and easily get back home from the endpoint. The section starts from Hűvösvölgy and heads straight for the Hármashatárhegy Glider Airfield. It’s easy to forget you’re in a city of two million people… the first real sight is the Lion Rock – be sure to take a photo there! As you continue climbing, you’ll reach the first viewpoint of the hike – and there will be several more to come. From the Árpád Lookout Tower, which has been towering here for almost a century, you can see not only the southern part of the Buda Hills but also Budapest and the bridges of the winding Danube.

After a bit of a rollercoaster (descents and climbs), you’ll arrive at the next lookout point, where you absolutely must stop – and not just to stamp your booklet with the blue stamp. The Guckler Károly Lookout Tower on Hármashatár Hill is interesting in several aspects. The view here is also remarkable, and you can now see the horizon to the north with the Visegrád Mountains. If you’d like a longer break, we recommend the Hangás Bistro, where you can refuel with food and drinks before tackling the last third of the hike. While there might be fewer attractions on this section, the natural environment remains captivating. Once you descend into the valley, stamp your booklet and rejoice – you’ve completed the first section of the Blue Trail in your life!