Mária-út, M01-28 (Eger – Kács)

The Mária-út M01-28 is a 28.53-km point-to-point pilgrimage trail in northern Hungary, running from the historic baroque city of Eger through the southern foothills of the Bükk Mountains to the village of Kács, gaining 690 m of elevation. Rated moderate, this stage of the Via Maria network links medieval castle ruins, volcanic cave dwellings, thermal spa villages, and rolling oak-hornbeam forest in a single rewarding day's walk.

About the Mária-út, M01-28 (Eger – Kács)

The Mária-út — known in Latin as Via Maria — is Hungary's principal long-distance pilgrimage network, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and connecting Marian shrines across Central Europe. Route M01, the main corridor, stretches from Mariazell in Austria eastward through Hungary to Csíksomlyó in Romania, covering well over 1,200 km. Section M01-28 is the 28th stage of this artery and covers 28.53 km between the baroque city of Eger and the Bükk foothills village of Kács.

Operated by Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület, the trail is certified as part of the International Walking Network (IWN) — the same framework that recognises major long-distance paths across Europe. The M01-28 segment weaves through the southern edge of the Bükk National Park corridor, a landscape shaped by volcanic tuff rock, ancient oak-hornbeam forest, and centuries of viticulture. Eger's position as the heart of the Egri Bikavér wine region means the first kilometres unfold past terraced vineyards before the route climbs into quieter foothills.

Unlike pilgrimage trails in France or Portugal, the Mária-út carries a distinctly Central European character: small agricultural villages replace mountain refuges, local wine cellars double as informal rest stops, and the density of medieval castle ruins per kilometre is exceptionally high. The route is signed with the Via Maria shell-and-cross waymark, though trail marking on this section is officially described as incomplete (hiányosan jelzett) — a GPS track downloaded from the official site before departure is strongly recommended. Total elevation loss on the stage is 670 m, making it essentially a traverse with a net altitude difference of just 20 m between Eger and Kács.

Route Overview & Stages

The M01-28 follows a broadly southwest-to-northeast arc from Eger's historic centre through four distinct settlements before terminating at Kács. The terrain is asymmetric: the first half climbs steadily from Eger's valley basin into the Bükk foothills, while the second half descends more gently toward the Kács valley. Most fit hikers complete the full 28.53 km in 8–9 hours including short rests, walking at 3–3.5 km/h.

Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can split the stage over two days, overnighting in Bogács at roughly the 15 km mark. The thermal spa in Bogács provides a compelling argument for the two-day option.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Eger Castle (Egri vár) — The trail departs from one of Hungary's most storied fortresses. In 1552, approximately 2,000 Hungarian defenders under Captain István Dobó repelled an Ottoman force estimated at 35,000–80,000 troops in a siege immortalised in Géza Gárdonyi's novel Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. The castle walls deliver sweeping views over Eger's baroque rooftops before the route heads west into the vineyard belt.
• Valley of the Beautiful Women (Szépasszony-völgy) — Immediately west of Eger's city centre, this compact valley is lined with over 200 wine cellars carved into soft volcanic tuff, most serving Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) and Leányka whites. The route passes close enough to permit a morning stop before the trail climbs out of the Eger basin.
• Cave Dwellings of Szomolya — The volcanic tuff geology of the Bükk foothills made it possible for inhabitants to carve homes, cellars, and storage chambers directly into the rock face. Szomolya preserves a striking cluster of these structures, some still in use as wine cellars, offering an insight into a vernacular building tradition unique to this region.
• Bogács Thermal Baths — Bogács sits atop a network of thermal springs delivering water at 30–38 °C. The Bogács Thermal and Leisure Centre is a natural rest stop at the approximate midpoint, with indoor and outdoor pools — ideal for recovering tired legs before the second half of the stage.
• Cserép Castle Ruins (Cserépvár) — Perched on a tuff outcrop above Cserépváralja, these 13th-century castle ruins command panoramic views across the Bükk foothills. The fortress changed hands repeatedly during the Ottoman wars before falling derelict in the 17th century. The short scramble to the summit adds roughly 40 m of elevation but delivers the route's finest viewpoint.
• Bükk National Park Forest Corridors — The second half of the stage passes through the buffer zone of Bükk National Park, Hungary's largest contiguous forested protected area at 43,200 hectares. The oak-hornbeam-beech transition forest supports roe deer, wild boar, and a rich wildflower understory in spring.
• Via Maria Waymark System — At key intersections the distinctive shell-and-cross waymarks appear on painted rock or wooden signposts. The marking on M01-28 is officially rated incomplete, so photographing each waymark creates a useful navigation log and reinforces the connection to the wider pilgrimage route stretching from Austria to Romania.
• Kács Valley Arrival — The endpoint sits in a quiet agricultural valley where the southern Bükk hills flatten toward the Hungarian Great Plain. The contrast between Eger's urban energy and this tranquil village makes for a satisfying close to the stage and sets the scene for the next section of the M01.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út, M01-28 (Eger – Kács)

The M01-28 is a three-season trail. As of 2026, the optimal hiking window runs from mid-April through late October, with two distinct sweet spots.

April–May (spring): Temperatures in the Eger basin range from 12–22 °C. The Bükk foothills are vivid with wildflowers and fresh beech leaf. Trail surfaces dry quickly after winter, though early April can bring muddy sections on clay-heavy forest tracks. Daylight extends to 20:00 by late May, leaving ample time even for late starters.

September–October (autumn): This is the single best period for the M01-28. Harvest season means the Valley of the Beautiful Women wine cellars are at their most active, temperatures settle between 14–22 °C in September, and the oak-hornbeam forest turns amber-gold through October. Trail surfaces are firm after summer, and visitor numbers in Eger are lower than the July–August peak.

Summer (June–August): Manageable but warm. The exposed vineyard sections west of Eger can reach 30–35 °C in July. Start before 07:00 and carry at least 2 litres of water from Eger; reliable water points between Szomolya and Bogács are scarce.

Winter (November–March): Shorter daylight and the possibility of icy sections on north-facing forest slopes make this the least recommended season. Eger's historic centre and thermal baths remain open year-round, but accommodation in Kács and Cserépváralja can be limited outside peak season.

Single best month: September. Warm, dry, the harvest is underway, and the light is exceptional for photography along the vineyard sections.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Eger, the trailhead, has the widest range of accommodation. Budget guesthouses (panzió) run €25–45 per person; mid-range hotels average €55–90 for a double room. Several pilgrim-friendly guesthouses in the city are familiar with the Mária-út network and can arrange luggage transfer.

Bogács, at the route's approximate midpoint (15 km), is the natural overnight stop for hikers splitting the stage over two days. The thermal spa village has a dozen guesthouses and holiday apartments, typically €30–55 per room. Booking ahead is advisable in July–August when domestic spa tourism peaks.

Cserépváralja and Kács offer simple village accommodation — private rooms and farm stays at €20–35. No formal campsite exists on this stage, but informal tent camping on private farmland is sometimes possible on request. No staffed mountain huts operate on the M01-28; this is a lowland foothills route rather than an alpine one.

Getting There & Back

To Eger: Direct trains depart Budapest Keleti station roughly every two hours on the Budapest–Miskolc intercity line; journey time to Eger is approximately 2 hours. From Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, take the 100E airport express to Deák tér, then connect to the Keleti–Eger service — total door-to-trail time from the airport is roughly 3 hours.

From Kács: Local Volánbusz services operate between Kács, Cserépváralja, and Bogács toward Eger and Miskolc. Services are infrequent — typically 3–5 departures per day — so check the current timetable before setting out. A taxi from Kács to Eger (approximately 30 km) costs roughly €20–30. Miskolc, 25 km northeast of Kács, offers more frequent rail connections back to Budapest and is a practical alternative return hub.

Permits & Fees

No permit or trail fee is required to walk the Mária-út M01-28. The route passes through private agricultural land and national park buffer zones on designated rights-of-way; no entry fee applies. Optional costs along the stage: Eger Castle admission approximately €7 for adults; Bogács Thermal Spa entry approximately €8–12 depending on season. Carry cash in Hungarian forint — village shops and guesthouses rarely accept cards outside Eger.

Gear & Packing List

The M01-28 is a moderate trail with no technical terrain, but the 28.53 km distance and 690 m of cumulative ascent — often in warm conditions — require sensible kit choices. Pack selection depends on whether you plan a single-day push or an overnight split in Bogács.

For a single-day completion, a lightweight 30–40 L pack keeps your carry manageable. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider at around 510 g is a compelling ultralight option that handles a day's food, water, and a light rain layer without strain. For hikers planning an overnight in Bogács with a change of clothes and toiletry kit, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 offers the ventilated back panel and load-transfer harness that make a longer carry in summer heat noticeably more comfortable. If you want maximum capacity for a fully self-supported multi-stage push along the wider M01 route, the Osprey Aether 65 gives you the volume for several days of gear without sacrificing stability on uneven tuff-rock terrain.

For calorie planning over a long day on trail, How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? is the place to start — the estimates are directly relevant to M01-28's 8–9 hour completion window. If you are assembling your kit from scratch, Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026: 7 Packs Tested and Ranked covers the current top packs across weight classes.

Essential packing checklist for the M01-28:

• Low-cut trail footwear or lightweight hiking boots (no scrambling, but tuff rock is abrasive)
• 2-litre minimum water capacity — reliable sources between Szomolya and Bogács are scarce
• Sun protection: hat, SPF 50+ sunscreen for exposed vineyard sections out of Eger
• Downloaded GPS track from the official Mária-út site (signage is incomplete on sections)
• Lightweight waterproof shell — convective afternoon showers are common May through August
• Cash in Hungarian forint — essential outside Eger
• Offline maps or Hungarian phrasebook — English is limited in village guesthouses

Similar Trails You Might Like

The M01-28 sits within a broader network of long-distance and regional trails across Hungary and the Danube corridor. If you enjoyed the pilgrimage character and foothills terrain of this stage, the routes below offer comparable experiences — from riverside Danube walking to ancient cross-border paths. For a dramatic change of scenery, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania trades Hungary's rolling wine country for the high limestone peaks of the Albanian Alps at a broadly similar moderate-to-challenging grade.

• Camino Benedictus, Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka (Hungary) — a faith-themed long-distance route tracing Benedictine monastery connections across Transdanubia, with a similarly contemplative atmosphere to the Mária-út
• ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva (Hungary) — a Danube Plain trail through flat agricultural land and traditional villages south of Budapest
• ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok (Hungary) — riverside walking along the Danube near Kalocsa, the paprika capital of Hungary
• ST202a Čunovo – Lipót (Hungary) — a cross-border trail following the Danube between Slovakia and Hungary through wetland and floodplain habitat
• ST203a Lipót – Győr (Hungary) — continues the Danube corridor walk toward the cathedral city of Győr, passing Baroque monasteries and river meadows

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Mária-út M01-28?
September is the single best month. Temperatures hold between 14–22 °C, the Eger wine harvest is underway, and the autumn light over the Bükk foothills is exceptional. The broader windows of April–May and September–October are both reliable. Avoid late July and August unless you start before 07:00 to beat the heat on the exposed vineyard sections west of Eger.

How difficult is the Eger to Kács section of the Mária-út?
The stage is rated moderate. There is no technical terrain — no scrambling, no exposed ridges — but 690 m of cumulative elevation gain over 28.53 km is a genuine physical effort, particularly in warm weather. Hikers comfortable with full-day walks of 20 km or more should find it achievable. Trekking poles ease the steeper tuff-rock descents near Cserépváralja. Trail marking is incomplete, so a downloaded GPS track is essential.

How far do most people walk per day on this stage?
The entire M01-28 is a single stage of 28.53 km, which most hikers complete in one long day at a pace of 3–3.5 km/h with short stops — approximately 8–9 hours total. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace overnight in Bogács at the approximate 15 km mark and finish the remaining 13.5 km the following morning, making the thermal baths a natural evening reward.

What accommodation is available along the M01-28?
Eger at the trailhead has the widest choice, from budget guesthouses at €25–45 per person to mid-range hotels at €55–90. Bogács at the midpoint has spa-adjacent guesthouses at €30–55 per room. Cserépváralja and Kács offer simple village rooms and farm stays at €20–35. No staffed mountain huts exist on this route. Book Bogács accommodation ahead in peak summer when spa tourism is at its highest.

Do you need permits or pay fees to hike the Mária-út M01-28?
No permit is required and there is no trail fee. The M01-28 follows designated public rights-of-way through agricultural and national park buffer land. The main optional costs are Eger Castle admission (approximately €7) and the Bogács Thermal Spa (approximately €8–12). Accommodation is the primary budget line for this stage; always carry cash in Hungarian forint as village facilities rarely accept cards.