Mária-út, M01-22 (Budapest, Rákosszentmihály – Máriabesnyő)

The Mária-út M01-22 is an approximately 35 km point-to-point pilgrimage trail in Pest County, Hungary, leading northeast from the Budapest suburb of Rákosszentmihály to the Franciscan sanctuary of Máriabesnyő. Rated Category II — gentle slopes on well-maintained paths — the route gains around 200 m of elevation as it crosses Budapest's outer motorway ring and threads through five Pest County towns, culminating at one of Hungary's most venerated Marian shrines.

About the Mária-út M01-22 (Budapest, Rákosszentmihály – Máriabesnyő)

The Mária-út (Mary's Path) is Central Europe's principal Marian pilgrimage network, stretching approximately 1,400 km from Mariazell in Austria east to Csíksomlyó in Romanian Transylvania. Operated by the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület, the network belongs to the International Walking Network (IWN), placing it alongside the great long-distance routes of Europe in terms of cultural and spiritual significance. The route is waymarked with red-and-white Mária-út signs and GPX tracks are freely downloadable from the official website, supporting walkers of every background from secular day-hikers to committed multi-week pilgrims.

Stage M01-22 is one of the gateway segments of this grand network — the leg that carries pilgrims out of Budapest's eastern suburbs and into the Gödöllő Hills. Starting at Rákosszentmihály, a district reachable in under 20 minutes by Budapest's suburban HÉV rail network, the route heads northeast through Árpádföld, crosses the M0 ring motorway via the dedicated M0-zarándokhíd (Pilgrimage Bridge), continues through the towns of Csömör, Kistarcsa, and Kerepes, passes through the historic royal town of Gödöllő, and finishes at the Franciscan monastery complex of Máriabesnyő. The stage number itself — M01-22 — indicates it is section 22 of the M01 main trunk route of the broader Mária-út network.

The terrain is characteristic of the Pest Plain transitioning gently into the Gödöllő Hills: mostly flat or gently undulating farmland and suburban parkland in the first half, with slightly rolling wooded terrain approaching Gödöllő and Máriabesnyő. Total accumulated elevation gain across the 35 km is approximately 200 m, making this one of the most accessible stages of the entire Mária-út for walkers of all fitness levels. Waymarking follows the standard red-and-white Mária-út signage, though the official route description notes that some sections are partially marked, so downloading a GPS track before departure is recommended.

Whether you approach the walk as a spiritual pilgrim, a cultural explorer drawn by Hungary's royal heritage, or simply a hiker seeking a manageable day-route out of Budapest, the M01-22 delivers a rewarding mix of urban-to-rural transition, authentic Hungarian countryside, and a deeply meaningful arrival at Máriabesnyő's centuries-old shrine. The convenience of Budapest's HÉV rail system at both ends of the route means no car is needed and no logistics headache on the return.

Route Overview & Stages

The full M01-22 stage covers approximately 35 km and can comfortably be completed in one long day by fit walkers — typically 7 to 9 hours including stops. Those who want a more leisurely pace, or who plan to spend an hour or two inside Gödöllő Royal Palace, will find it natural to split the walk across two days with an overnight in Gödöllő. The table below shows the four natural sections of the route based on the official waypoints.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• M0-zarándokhíd (M0 Pilgrimage Bridge) — A purpose-built pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning Budapest's outer ring motorway, constructed specifically for the Mária-út route. Crossing it is a symbolic turning point: the hum of the city fades and the open Pest County farmland begins. Few moments on the stage are as dramatic in their simplicity.
• Árpádföld District — The opening kilometres thread through this eastern Budapest neighbourhood, passing community parks and tree-lined streets that give way to suburban market gardens. An early morning start here means reaching the M0 bridge with the city still quiet behind you.
• Csömör Village — One of the most charming stopping points on the first half of the route, Csömör retains an authentically rural character with a Catholic church, traditional Hungarian architecture, and local bakeries ideal for a mid-morning coffee and fresh pastry. The village square marks roughly 13 km from the start.
• Kistarcsa — A small Pest County town offering shops, cafés, and a rail connection back to Budapest if you need to cut the day short. Historically it was the site of an internment facility during the mid-20th century, now memorialised with a commemorative plaque worth pausing at.
• Kerepes — A quiet agricultural village surrounded by productive farmland that gives the route its most distinctly rural character. Field tracks between Kerepes and Gödöllő pass through open countryside with wide sky views — the closest the M01-22 gets to classic long-distance trail solitude.
• Gödöllő Royal Palace (Grassalkovich Palace) — One of Hungary's finest Baroque palaces, the restored 18th-century complex served as the favourite Hungarian residence of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph. The palace museum is open daily with guided tours available; budget at least 90 minutes if you plan to explore the state rooms and park. Adult admission is approximately 8–12 EUR.
• Máriabesnyő Franciscan Monastery — Founded in 1759 by Count Antal Grassalkovich, this Franciscan complex was built around a venerated Marian statue discovered in 1763. For more than 260 years pilgrims have arrived here on foot from across Hungary and Central Europe, making Máriabesnyő one of the oldest continuously active pilgrimage destinations in the Carpathian Basin.
• Shrine of Our Lady of Máriabesnyő — The baroque chapel at the heart of the monastery is the spiritual culmination of the M01-22 journey. Daily masses are celebrated and the surrounding monastery gardens offer a genuinely peaceful space for rest after the full day's walk — a fitting contrast to the busy Budapest suburbs where the route began.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út M01-22 (Budapest, Rákosszentmihály – Máriabesnyő)

The M01-22 can be walked in any season, but spring and autumn consistently deliver the best trail conditions. As of 2026, seasonal weather patterns in the Budapest–Gödöllő corridor remain reliably consistent, and the well-maintained path infrastructure means the route is accessible almost year-round.

The single best month to hike M01-22 is May. Temperatures average 15–22 °C, the trail is dry after the spring thaw, hedgerows and field margins are in full flower between Kerepes and Gödöllő, and the Gödöllő palace park is at its most photogenic. Pilgrim numbers are high enough to give the route a sociable atmosphere without feeling crowded.

April is a fine alternative if you prefer cooler conditions (10–17 °C). Occasional morning rain is possible but the terrain drains well. Late April sees the first pilgrimage groups using the Mária-út ahead of the Marian feast season, adding a shared-journey atmosphere to the walk.

June to August is warm to hot, with daytime temperatures on the exposed flat sections regularly reaching 28–35 °C. Summer walking is possible but demands an early start (before 07:00), at least 2 litres of water for the exposed M0-to-Csömör stretch, a sun hat, and high-factor sunscreen. The Gödöllő palace café provides welcome shade and cold drinks around the 30 km mark.

September and October are excellent: harvest colours transform the farmland sections, temperatures drop to a comfortable 14–22 °C, and the Feast of Our Lady celebrated at Máriabesnyő in September draws large pilgrimage gatherings that make the arrival particularly atmospheric. October mornings can be misty and atmospheric on the field tracks east of Kerepes.

November to March is the quietest period on this stage. No technical challenges prevent a winter walk — the Category II rating holds year-round — but shorter daylight hours (as little as 9 hours in December) require an early start from Rákosszentmihály. Waterproof footwear is advisable for muddy field sections after prolonged rain.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because M01-22 begins at the edge of Budapest and ends near Gödöllő, accommodation options are good by Hungarian rural standards. The main overnight options are:

• Gödöllő (~30 km mark) — Multiple guesthouses and budget hotels in and around the palace district, typically 25–55 EUR per night for a double room. Several pension-style guesthouses within 500 m of the Mária-út waymarked route cater specifically to pilgrims and hikers, with secure gear storage and early breakfast options.
• Máriabesnyő Pilgrim House — The Franciscan monastery at the endpoint offers simple dormitory-style pilgrim beds for approximately 10–15 EUR per night, including access to monastery chapel services. This is a genuinely special way to end the walk. Advance booking is strongly recommended from May through September when pilgrim traffic peaks.
• Csömör and Kistarcsa — Limited formal accommodation; most walkers treat these as resupply and lunch stops rather than overnight bases. Private room rentals occasionally appear on local platforms from 20–35 EUR per night for those who want to split the stage into two very relaxed days.
• Budapest (pre-walk) — Full range of options from budget hostels (15–25 EUR per night) to mid-range hotels (60–120 EUR) in the Rákosszentmihály and Keleti station area if arriving the evening before the walk.

Getting There & Back

To the start (Rákosszentmihály): Take the BKK suburban rail line H8 (HÉV) from Budapest Keleti pályaudvar or Örs vezér tere to Rákosszentmihály station. Journey time is approximately 15–20 minutes. Tickets cost around 0.50–1 EUR and the service runs every 10–15 minutes during daytime hours. If staying within Budapest transport zones, an existing BKK pass covers the journey.

From the end (Máriabesnyő): Local bus lines connect Máriabesnyő to Gödöllő town centre in approximately 8 minutes (~0.80 EUR), from where the H8 HÉV returns to Budapest Keleti in 40–50 minutes. The full return journey from trail's end to Budapest city centre takes under 70 minutes and costs less than 3 EUR total — exceptional value for a 35 km day out.

Nearest airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is approximately 20 km southwest of Rákosszentmihály. A taxi from the airport to the trail start costs around 20–30 EUR and takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, the 200E airport bus connects to the metro network (M3 line, Kőbánya-Kispest terminus) from where onward HÉV connections to Rákosszentmihály are straightforward via Keleti or Örs vezér tere.

By car: The M01-22 is a linear point-to-point route, so leaving a vehicle at the start is not recommended unless arranging a shuttle. Parking near Máriabesnyő monastery is available if you prefer to drive to the end and use public transport to reach the start.

Permits & Fees

No permits or trail fees are required to walk the Mária-út M01-22. The route follows public roads, field tracks, and public land throughout its 35 km length. The Gödöllő Royal Palace interior charges approximately 8–12 EUR for adults (as of 2026) if you visit the palace museum — the exterior grounds and park are free to walk through. Entry to the Máriabesnyő monastery church is open to all visitors free of charge; a voluntary donation is the customary contribution. GPX track files and KML navigation files for the full M01-22 stage can be downloaded free of charge from the official website.

Gear & Packing List

The M01-22 is a non-technical, well-supported pilgrimage route with resupply opportunities in multiple towns, so a heavy expedition kit list is unnecessary. The priorities are sun protection, water capacity for exposed sections, and comfortable footwear for 35 km of mixed surfaces including pavement, compact earth tracks, and occasional unsealed field paths.

Footwear: Trail runners or light low-cut hiking shoes are sufficient for the vast majority of the route. Waterproof footwear adds value in winter and early spring when field sections east of Kerepes can hold moisture. Avoid road-running shoes without lateral grip for the field track sections.

Backpack: For a single-day crossing with just water, food, and a rain layer, a 20–25 litre daypack is all you need. For those splitting across two days with overnight kit, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 offers excellent back ventilation for warm Hungarian summer days and a generous 45+10 litre capacity for overnight gear. If you are walking M01-22 as part of a longer multi-stage Mária-út pilgrimage carrying full kit, the Osprey Aether 65 provides structured load transfer for heavier pilgrimage loads over consecutive days. Serious weight-conscious hikers should look at our review of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026; the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L at under 700 g base weight is a compelling choice for extended pilgrimage walking.

Water: Carry at least 1.5 litres from Budapest. Refill opportunities exist in Csömör (village shops), Kistarcsa (convenience stores), Kerepes (local shops), and extensively throughout Gödöllő. The exposed 10 km section between the M0 Pilgrimage Bridge and Csömör has no water sources — in July and August this stretch can feel punishing without adequate hydration.

Nutrition: Plan for approximately 2,500–3,000 kcal for a full 35 km day at a moderate pilgrim pace. For detailed calorie planning based on body weight, pack weight, and terrain, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day. Gödöllő has excellent café and restaurant options for a hot mid-route meal before the final 5 km push to Máriabesnyő.

Other essentials: Sun hat and SPF 50 sunscreen for the exposed flat sections; a compact waterproof layer (the Gödöllő Hills can generate afternoon thunderstorms in summer); trekking poles are optional given the gentle terrain; and a pilgrim credential booklet if you plan to collect official Mária-út stamps at waypoints along the broader network.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The M01-22 sits within a rich landscape of Hungarian cultural walking routes and Danube-region trails. If the combination of pilgrimage heritage, rural Hungarian countryside, and well-connected public transport appeals to you, these routes offer comparable or complementary experiences:

• Camino Benedictus, Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka (Hungary) — Hungary's Benedictine pilgrimage route stretching from the Tihany peninsula on Lake Balaton to the Austrian border, passing the UNESCO-listed Pannonhalma Archabbey. Thematically the closest match to the Mária-út in terms of monastic heritage and long-distance pilgrim culture.
• ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva (Hungary) — An expert-rated trail through the quieter southern Pest Plain, rewarding for walkers who enjoyed the wide-sky flatland sections between Kistarcsa and Kerepes on the M01-22 and want to explore that terrain in greater depth.
• ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok (Hungary) — Expert-level route through the Danube floodplain near Kalocsa, a historic Hungarian archbishopric with strong Marian heritage that resonates with the devotional character of the Mária-út.
• ST202a Čunovo – Lipót (Hungary) — Expert trail along the Danube between Slovakia and Hungary, offering riverine walking through the internationally significant Danube–Ipoly National Park corridor.
• ST203a Lipót – Győr (Hungary) — Expert continuation along the Danube into Győr, one of Hungary's finest Baroque cities and an excellent complement to Gödöllő as a study in Hungarian architectural and cultural heritage.

For a wildly different but equally rewarding pilgrimage-scale walk, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania provides dramatic Alpine contrast — a useful reference for understanding the spectrum of Central and Eastern European trail culture beyond Hungary's gentle plains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Mária-út M01-22?

May is the single best month: temperatures average 15–22 °C, the trail is dry, Gödöllő's palace grounds are in full bloom, and pilgrim numbers are high enough for company without overcrowding. April and September–October are excellent alternatives. Summer hiking is possible but the exposed flat sections can reach 33 °C, so starting before 07:00 and carrying extra water is essential. The route is walkable in winter with waterproof boots and an early start.

How difficult is the M01-22 stage?

The Mária-út M01-22 is rated Category II — gentle slopes with well-maintained pathways — making it one of the most accessible stages of the entire Mária-út network. Total elevation gain is approximately 200 m across 35 km. The terrain is predominantly flat farmland, compact earth tracks, and suburban pavement. No technical hiking experience is required; comfortable walking shoes and adequate sun protection are the most important preparation items.

How many kilometres per day should I plan for?

Fit day-hikers typically complete the full 35 km in 7–9 hours including stops. Split across two days for a more relaxed pace: Day 1 from Rákosszentmihály to Gödöllő (~30 km), Day 2 Gödöllő to Máriabesnyő (~5 km), allowing a full morning to visit the Royal Palace. Most pilgrim walkers average 20–25 km per day and break at Kistarcsa (~20 km) or Gödöllő (~30 km) depending on fitness and itinerary.

What accommodation is available along the route?

Gödöllő, approximately 30 km into the stage, has the strongest accommodation options — guesthouses and budget hotels from 25–55 EUR per night. At the endpoint, the Franciscan monastery at Máriabesnyő offers pilgrim dormitory beds for approximately 10–15 EUR per night, a unique and atmospheric way to end the walk. Csömör and Kistarcsa have limited options and are better treated as lunch stops. Book Máriabesnyő pilgrim beds well in advance for May through September.

Do I need permits or pay fees to hike the M01-22?

No permits or trail fees are required. The entire 35 km route follows public paths, field tracks, and public roads. The Gödöllő Royal Palace interior charges approximately 8–12 EUR admission (exterior grounds are free to walk through). Entry to the Máriabesnyő monastery church is free; a voluntary donation is customary. GPX and KML navigation files for the M01-22 can be downloaded without charge from the official Mária-út website.