Mária-út, M01-07 (Kőszeg – Bük)

The Mária-út M01-07 is an approximately 35 km point-to-point pilgrimage stage in western Hungary, walking from the medieval city of Kőszeg to thermal spa town Bük across the gentle Kőszeg Hills. Part of the 1,330 km Via Mariae international network, it gains around 200 m of elevation and is rated moderate — rewarding walkers with Marian chapels, rural farmland and one of Hungary's most intact medieval starting towns.

About the Mária-út, M01-07 (Kőszeg – Bük)

The Mária-út — known in Latin as the Via Mariae — is one of Central Europe's defining pilgrimage corridors, stretching 1,330 km from Mariazell in the Austrian Alps to Csíksomlyó in Transylvania, Romania. Established and maintained by the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület (the Mária Út Non-Profit Association), the route links Marian shrines across Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, threading together ancient pilgrimage traditions that stretch back centuries.

Stage M01-07 covers the Kőszeg to Bük section of the M01 mainline — the primary east–west axis of the entire Via Mariae network. Kőszeg, hugging the Austrian border in Vas County, is among Hungary's most beautifully preserved medieval towns and serves as the natural gateway from the Austrian Alps onto the Hungarian plain. The stage moves east through the forested outliers of the Kőszeg Hills (Kőszegi-hegység), descends into the agricultural lowlands of western Transdanubia, and arrives at Bük, a spa town celebrated for its thermal springs.

Unlike many long-distance routes that demand technical mountain skills, the Mária-út M01-07 is fundamentally a pilgrimage path through living countryside. Trail markings follow the distinctive Mária-út waymarker system and pass through hamlets, vineyard edges and field tracks that have changed little in character over generations. Walkers come for the silence, the Marian chapels scattered along the route, and the deeply human scale of a walk through western Hungary's rural heartland. The stage is equally rewarding for secular hikers drawn to cultural heritage and anyone planning a multi-day Transdanubian touring walk.

The route is designated as part of the International Walking Network (IWN), recognising its significance beyond Hungary's borders. The M01 corridor has seen a marked rise in pilgrims and leisure walkers since 2020, and as of 2026 the Mária Út Association actively updates waymarking and accommodation listings to accommodate growing demand for Camino-style walking in Central Europe. The official Kőszeg destination guide at koszeg.hu covers trail access, local accommodation and transport links from the starting point.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage M01-07 covers approximately 35–37 km and is most comfortably walked over two days. The terrain transitions from hilly woodland near Kőszeg to open, gently rolling lowlands approaching Bük. Cumulative elevation gain is modest — around 200–250 m — so the challenge comes from distance rather than gradient. Trail surfaces mix forest tracks, field paths and village lanes; road walking is limited to short stretches through settlements.

Most pilgrims split the route at Csepreg, spending the first night there before covering the final 13 km to Bük on day two. The shorter second day leaves energy to enjoy Bük's famous thermal baths — a restorative tradition among those walking the full Via Mariae.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Jurisics Castle (Jurisics-vár), Kőszeg — A 13th-century fortress immortalised by the 1532 siege in which 700 Hungarian defenders held off an Ottoman army of 80,000 for 25 days. The castle museum sets the cultural stage for the walk and deserves 45 minutes before departure.
• Kőszeg Old Town & Főtér — One of Hungary's most intact medieval streetscapes: a baroque main square, the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Heroes Gate of Jurisics Square. The compact old town takes under an hour to explore on foot.
• Kőszeg Hills Nature Park (Kőszegi Tájvédelmi Körzet) — A protected area of deciduous woodland rising to 883 m at Írott-kő, the highest point in Transdanubia. The M01-07 route traverses the lower forested slopes, offering welcome shade and birdsong on warm days.
• Csepreg Chapel of the Blessed Virgin — A 16th-century Marian chapel that has drawn pilgrims for over 400 years. Set among mature trees on the edge of Csepreg, it is a natural midpoint rest stop and one of the most spiritually significant waypoints on this section of the Via Mariae.
• Csepreg Holy Well (Szentkút) — The sacred spring beside the Marian chapel is among the oldest continuously venerated sites on the Hungarian Via Mariae. Pilgrims traditionally pause here for water, prayer or quiet reflection on the journey ahead.
• Transdanubian agricultural lowlands — The section between Csepreg and Bük crosses a mosaic of wheat fields, sunflower plots and orchards typical of western Hungary's plain, with wide skies and distant church spires marking each hamlet along the way.
• Bükfürdő Thermal Complex — Bük's thermal spa draws water at 58 °C from 2,000 m depth and operates 13 indoor and outdoor pools. For pilgrims arriving after a long stage, a soak here is the traditional reward at the end of M01-07.
• Roadside Marian shrines — Throughout the stage, wayside crosses and Marian niches appear at field junctions and village entrances — some 200–300 years old — forming an open-air devotional landscape that defines the Mária-út's character among Central European hiking routes.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út, M01-07 (Kőszeg – Bük)

Western Hungary has a temperate continental climate: warm summers, cold winters and moderate rainfall distributed across the year. For walking M01-07, the two optimal windows are April to June and mid-August to October.

Spring (April–June) brings fresh green forest along the Kőszeg Hills foothills, mild temperatures of 12–22 °C and moderate trail traffic. The Marian chapels in Csepreg are often dressed with spring flowers during the pilgrimage season that opens officially in May. Wildflowers line the field paths and the Holy Well flows at its fullest after winter rainfall.

Autumn (September–October) offers warm days of 14–20 °C, autumn colour in the woodland sections and the harvest atmosphere of the Hungarian countryside. Sunflower fields are cut, orchards hang heavy with fruit, and the light across the lowland plain is exceptional for photography. The pilgrimage season sees a second peak around the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on 15 September.

Summer (July–August) is walkable but can be hot (28–35 °C) on the exposed lowland section between Csepreg and Bük. Start early and carry at least 2 litres of water for the open stretches. Winter (December–February) is not recommended; the lowland sections lack shelter and several pilgrim guesthouses close.

The single best month is May. As of 2026, the Mária Út Association opens the official pilgrimage season on 1 May, confirming all waymarking is current and all registered accommodation is active. Temperatures sit between 14–22 °C, rainfall is moderate and the Kőszeg Hills woodland is at its spring best.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Pilgrimage accommodation on the Mária-út follows the Camino model. Registered guesthouses (zarándokszállás) offer clean beds — often with breakfast — at lower rates than standard tourism lodging. The Mária Út Association maintains an up-to-date verified list on its website.

In Kőszeg, expect €25–45 per night for a guesthouse room; the town has options ranging from pilgrim hostels to small hotels. Csepreg has at least one registered pilgrim guesthouse (approximately €18–25 per bed) — book well in advance for May–June and September. Bük offers the widest range: budget guesthouses at €25–35 and thermal hotel packages from €60 per night including spa access. Wild camping is possible in the countryside but formal campsites are limited on this section.

Getting There & Back

Reaching Kőszeg: The nearest major rail hub is Szombathely, 16 km south of Kőszeg, served by direct InterCity trains from Budapest Keleti station (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, hourly service). A regional bus connects Szombathely to Kőszeg in 30–40 minutes. From Austria, Graz Airport lies approximately 80 km northwest; bus connections via Hartberg and the Rechnitz–Rohonc border crossing are available. Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport is approximately 230 km east.

Leaving Bük: Bük station sits on the Győr–Szombathely regional rail line. Trains reach Szombathely in about 30 minutes (with bus connections back to Kőszeg) or Győr in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, connecting onward to Budapest. As M01-07 is a point-to-point stage, plan a return connection in advance or leave your vehicle in Bük and travel by train to the start.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Mária-út M01-07. The trail crosses private agricultural land under established access agreements managed by the Mária Út Association. The Kőszeg Hills nature park section requires no walker entry fee. A pilgrim passport (zarándok útlevél), available free from the association or participating churches, is not obligatory but earns pilgrim-rate accommodation pricing. Bükfürdő thermal entry costs approximately €12–18 per adult day ticket (check current pricing with the spa directly).

Gear & Packing List

The M01-07 is a low-altitude multi-day walk on mixed terrain — no technical gear required. A pack of 35–50 litres suits a 2-day stage with overnight clothing and a sleeping bag liner; ultralight walkers completing it in a single day can manage with 20–25 litres. For current pack recommendations at every weight class, see our guide to the Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026: 7 Packs Tested and Ranked.

Key packing considerations for M01-07:

• Pack: The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 handles mixed pilgrimage terrain efficiently with a ventilated back panel that reduces sweating on summer lowland sections. For heavier loads with camping kit, the Osprey Aether 65 offers excellent load transfer. Ultralight walkers favour the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L for its combination of capacity and sub-1 kg weight over long stages.
• Footwear: Trail shoes suffice in dry conditions; waterproof hiking boots are worth it in April and October when lowland field paths can be muddy after rain.
• Water: Carry 2 litres on summer days. The Holy Well at Csepreg is a natural water source; treat any spring water before drinking.
• Sun protection: The Csepreg–Bük lowland section is fully exposed. Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are essential in July and August.
• Food: Villages along the route have small shops but stock up in Kőszeg or Csepreg before the open field sections. Caloric needs for a 35 km two-day walk are substantial — see our guide on How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? to plan your provisions.
• Pilgrim passport: Lightweight and free; collect stamps from chapels, churches and guesthouses along the way.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If M01-07 appeals for its blend of pilgrimage heritage, accessible terrain and Central European rural character, several neighbouring routes share these qualities. For a contrasting long-distance alpine challenge, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers dramatic mountain scenery at the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum. Within Hungary and the broader Danube corridor, these trails are worth exploring:

• Camino Benedictus, Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka — another long-distance Hungarian pilgrimage route linking Benedictine monasteries across Transdanubia, sharing the Mária-út's blend of religious heritage and gentle countryside walking.
• ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva — an expert-rated route across Hungary's Danube lowlands for walkers wanting a more demanding cross-country challenge.
• ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok — follows the Danube floodplain near Kalocsa, contrasting the inland character of M01-07 with river landscapes and exceptional birdlife.
• ST202a Čunovo – Lipót — traces the Danube bend between Slovakia and Hungary, offering a cross-border riverside walking experience through the Szigetköz wetlands.
• ST203a Lipót – Győr — continues the Danube corridor towards Győr, linking naturally with the Mária-út M01 mainline if you want to extend your walk through northwest Hungary.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to walk the Mária-út M01-07?

May is the single best month. The pilgrimage season opens officially on 1 May — all registered accommodation is active and waymarking is current. Temperatures sit between 14–22 °C, the Kőszeg Hills woodland is at its spring best and wildflowers line the field paths. September is the second-best choice, coinciding with the autumn pilgrimage peak around 15 September. Avoid December–February when guesthouses close and the lowland sections lack shelter.

How difficult is the Mária-út M01-07 stage?

The stage is moderate and accessible to most healthy adults. Elevation gain is approximately 200–250 m across 35–37 km — the challenge is distance, not steep climbing. The Kőszeg Hills section is gently graded; the Csepreg–Bük lowland is nearly flat. No technical skills are needed. Walkers accustomed to 20 km days will find the 2-day split comfortable; waterproof boots are advisable in spring mud.

How far should I expect to walk each day on this stage?

Splitting at Csepreg gives approximately 23 km on day one and 13 km on day two — pacing that suits most pilgrims and leaves time to visit the Csepreg chapel and Holy Well on arrival. Stronger walkers can complete all 36 km in a single day (7–9 hours moving time), arriving in Bük with energy to enjoy the thermal baths.

What accommodation is available along the M01-07 route?

Kőszeg has guesthouses and small hotels at €25–45 per night. Csepreg has at least one registered pilgrim guesthouse (€18–25 per bed) — book well ahead for May and September. Bük ranges from budget guesthouses at €25–35 to thermal hotels from €60 per night. The Mária Út Association's website lists all verified pilgrim accommodation with current contact details and booking guidance.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees to walk M01-07?

No permit is required. The route crosses private and protected land under existing access agreements. The Kőszeg Hills nature park section has no walker entry fee. A free pilgrim passport from the Mária Út Association is not mandatory but earns pilgrim-rate accommodation pricing. Bükfürdő thermal spa entry costs approximately €12–18 per adult per day and is a separate, optional ticket.