Mária-út, M01-37 (Máriapócs – Piricse)

The Mária-út M01-37 is an 18-km point-to-point pilgrimage trail in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, northeastern Hungary, gaining approximately 207 m of elevation as it crosses the gentle agricultural landscape of the Great Hungarian Plain from the revered Basilica of Máriapócs to the quiet village of Piricse. Part of the International Walking Network (IWN), this accessible single-day route combines centuries of Marian devotion with authentic Hungarian puszta scenery and completes comfortably in 4–5 hours.

About the Mária-út, M01-37 (Máriapócs – Piricse)

Segment M01-37 of the Mária-út is a short but spiritually charged 18-km leg of one of Central Europe's most significant long-distance pilgrimage networks. The full Mária-út M01 axis — known internationally as the Via Mariae — stretches roughly 1,350 km from Mariazell in Austria to Șumuleu Ciuc in the Transylvanian highlands of Romania, and has been designated as an International Walking Network (IWN) route. This particular segment connects Máriapócs, a town of profound Marian significance, with Piricse, a tranquil settlement in the heart of the northeastern Hungarian plain.

Máriapócs is one of Hungary's most visited pilgrimage destinations, anchored by its magnificent Greek Catholic Basilica and the revered icon of Our Lady of Máriapócs. The original icon was transferred to Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral in 1697 after it was reported to shed tears; the copy that remained in Máriapócs is said to have wept again on three subsequent occasions, cementing the town's standing as a site of deep Catholic and Greek Catholic veneration. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit each year, many of them continuing on foot through the surrounding plain just as walkers on this M01-37 segment do today.

The terrain is characteristic of the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld): largely flat, with long sightlines across sunflower fields, wheat pastures, and stands of acacia and oak. Total elevation gain is a modest 207 m over the full distance — the route rises and falls gently rather than climbing any single pronounced hill. This makes it accessible to walkers of most fitness levels, including older pilgrims and families. The trail is marked throughout with the distinctive purple M+ signs of the Via Mariae network, supplemented by traditional Hungarian hiking markers where the route shares paths with the national trail system.

For a comparison with a more demanding long-distance pilgrimage route in a neighbouring country, our Theth to Valbona hike guide covers the steep Albanian Alps crossing — useful context if you plan to extend your Balkan walking itinerary beyond Hungary.

Route Overview & Stages

Because the M01-37 is a single-day segment, the table below breaks the route into three logical walking sections rather than overnight stages. Distances are approximate and reflect the meandering course of the marked path rather than straight-line distances between settlements.

Total: 18 km | Elevation gain: ~207 m | Average walking time: 4–5 hours at a moderate pilgrim's pace including short rest stops.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Basilica of Máriapócs — The journey begins at this imposing Greek Catholic basilica. The twin-towered façade and ornate iconostasis inside are worth at least 30 minutes before departing; the basilica accommodates tens of thousands of pilgrims annually and is one of Hungary's most architecturally significant ecclesiastical buildings.
• Icon of Our Lady of Máriapócs — Housed on the main altar, this late-17th-century icon is considered one of Hungary's most sacred objects and the focal point of Greek Catholic devotion across Central Europe. The weeping episodes attributed to the original icon drew pilgrims from as far as Vienna within months of the first reported occurrence in 1696.
• Alföld panoramas — Within the first kilometre beyond Máriapócs, the route opens onto the broad, flat skyline of the Great Hungarian Plain. On clear days, sightlines extend 20–30 km in every direction — a striking contrast to mountain long-distance routes and a meditative backdrop for pilgrimage walking.
• Roadside kálvária shrines — The Mária-út network is dotted with traditional wayside shrines marking historically significant points or local acts of devotion. Several appear between Máriapócs and Nyírbogát, each a small stone or wooden cross with a niche for a Marian image.
• Agricultural mosaic landscape — The plain supports a patchwork of sunflower, wheat, and maize cultivation typical of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. The visual rhythm of crops and field margins gives the walk an unhurried, contemplative quality that suits both pilgrims and nature-oriented hikers.
• Acacia woodland sections — Brief but welcome shaded stretches through Robinia groves punctuate the open plain between Nyírbogát and Nyírpilis, offering habitat for warblers, woodpeckers, and European rollers.
• Nyírbogát village centre — A natural mid-route rest stop with a village well, bench seating near the Reformed church, and a small shop for water and snack resupply. The 17th-century church is a fine example of Hungarian rural Reformed architecture.
• Piricse village chapel — The trail's end point is marked by Piricse's modest chapel, a quiet and fitting conclusion to a segment that begins at one of Hungary's grandest basilicas.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út, M01-37 (Máriapócs – Piricse)

The M01-37 segment is walkable year-round, but as of 2026 the two prime windows are late April to early June and September to mid-October.

May is the single best month. Temperatures in the Alföld settle between 14 and 22 °C, daylight extends past 20:00, and the plain is at its most photogenic with spring crops in fresh growth. Rainfall is modest and the sandy-loam soils of this region dry quickly after showers. The route is not yet busy with summer pilgrims, making for a peaceful, unhurried experience.

Spring (April–early June) in general brings mild conditions, low humidity, and abundant birdlife along the acacia sections. April can be cooler (8–15 °C) with occasional late frosts, so carry a light insulating layer for early morning starts.

Summer (June–August) is manageable but demands early starts. Alföld temperatures reach 33–35 °C in July and August with minimal shade on exposed plain sections. Carry at least 2 litres of water from the last village; resupply points are infrequent between Nyírbogát and Piricse. The annual 1Úton International Pilgrimage runs 15–31 August and draws the highest foot traffic of the year — sociable, but the busiest stretch of the pilgrim calendar.

Autumn (September–October) is the second peak season. Temperatures drop to a comfortable 10–18 °C and harvest colours transform the agricultural landscape. Daylight shortens noticeably by mid-October, so an early morning start is advisable to complete the 18 km with comfortable afternoon light.

Winter (November–March) is possible for experienced walkers — the route presents no technical hazard — but frozen ground can make clay-soil field sections slippery and village accommodation options are limited or closed. Contact the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület before planning a winter traverse.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Máriapócs has the widest choice of accommodation on this segment, with several pilgrim guesthouses (zarándokszálló) clustered near the Basilica charging approximately 18–28 EUR per person per night for dormitory or private rooms. Full-board options — dinner and breakfast included — are available at some pilgrim houses for around 35–45 EUR, a practical choice given the limited restaurant options in the surrounding villages.

Nyírbogát and Piricse each have a small number of private guesthouse rooms bookable through local tourism boards; expect to pay 20–35 EUR per night. No dedicated campsite exists along this specific segment, though informal wild camping on the open plain is tolerated in places with landowner permission. For multi-day Via Mariae pilgrims, the official Mária-út website maintains a live accommodation map covering the full M01 axis with pilgrim-specific listings.

Getting There & Back

By public transport: The nearest railway station to Máriapócs is Nyíregyháza, the regional capital of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, approximately 35 km to the west. Hungarian Railways (MÁV) runs frequent InterCity and regional services connecting Nyíregyháza with Budapest Keleti station in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. From Nyíregyháza, bus services reach Máriapócs in roughly 45 minutes — check current timetables at the Nyíregyháza bus station on Petőfi tér. Return buses from Piricse to Nyíregyháza run every 2–3 hours on weekdays and less frequently on weekends; confirm the last departure before setting out.

By car: Máriapócs lies 43 km northeast of Nyíregyháza via Road 4 and Road 4911. Free parking is available adjacent to the Basilica. For a one-way point-to-point walk, leaving a second car at Piricse or arranging a taxi return from Piricse to Máriapócs (approximately 20 EUR) is the simplest solution.

Nearest airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is approximately 260 km southwest of Máriapócs. Total travel time by train to Nyíregyháza plus bus is around 3 hours 30 minutes.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Mária-út M01-37. The route crosses public paths and minor roads through private agricultural land in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County — walkers should stay on the marked trail at all times. Entry to the Basilica of Máriapócs is free, though donations are welcomed. The Via Mariae network charges no registration fee; pilgrims completing the full M01 axis can obtain a free credential booklet and stamps at official stops by contacting the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület. No national park entry fees apply to this segment.

Gear & Packing List

The M01-37 is a single-day trail with no significant technical challenges, so a lightweight daypack handles the essentials. The open, exposed terrain of the Alföld makes wind protection and sun coverage the primary gear considerations rather than waterproofing or altitude clothing.

For those hiking this as part of a longer multi-day Via Mariae traverse, a well-fitted pack in the 45–65 L range covers multiple nights of kit comfortably. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 balances load distribution with back ventilation — an important feature for warm Alföld summers. The Osprey Aether 65 suits pilgrims carrying camping gear for the longer M01 axis. For ultralight-focused walkers keeping base weight under 5 kg, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L is a proven choice on extended European long-distance routes.

Core packing list for the M01-37:

• Footwear: Trail shoes or light hiking boots with good tread for clay-soil sections after rain
• Water: Minimum 2 litres; fill up at Nyírbogát before the final section to Piricse
• Sun protection: Wide-brim hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, and a UV-blocking shirt for exposed plain sections
• Navigation: Download the route GPX file from mariaut.hu before departure; mobile signal can be patchy in rural Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg
• Food: Carry a full day's calories — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day gives practical estimates for sustained walking at Alföld temperatures
• Emergency layer: Lightweight wind shell; the flat plain offers no natural shelter from sudden afternoon thunderstorms in the summer months

For a comprehensive review of the lightest pack options currently available, our 2026 roundup of the best ultralight backpacks covers seven packs tested on trail — helpful if you plan to continue beyond this segment onto the longer M01 axis.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Mária-út M01-37 sits within a rich cluster of Hungarian long-distance and pilgrimage routes. If you enjoy flat, plain-crossing trails with cultural and historical depth, the following routes offer comparable or contrasting experiences across Hungary and the Danube corridor:

• Camino Benedictus, Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka — Hungary's Benedictine pilgrimage route, connecting Lake Balaton to the Austrian border via historic abbeys and rolling Transdanubian hills; a longer multi-day alternative for pilgrims seeking more elevation.
• ST307 Nagylók–Mezőfalva — An expert-rated Duna–Dráva corridor route through the southern Hungarian plain, recommended for experienced long-distance hikers comfortable with remote field-path navigation.
• ST311 Kalocsa–Bóni-fok — A challenging Tisza–Duna plain crossing via Kalocsa, Hungary's paprika capital, with river-floodplain terrain and associations with UNESCO-designated Hungarian folk culture.
• ST202a Čunovo–Lipót — An expert route along the Danube's Slovak–Hungarian border, combining wetland nature reserves with riverside walking through the Little Hungarian Plain.
• ST203a Lipót–Győr — Connects the Danube corridor to Győr, one of Hungary's most architecturally intact Baroque cities, through flat river-plain terrain with straightforward wayfinding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Mária-út M01-37?

May is the optimal month. Temperatures in the Alföld sit between 14 and 22 °C, daylight extends beyond 20:00, and the agricultural plain is at its most photogenic with spring crops in fresh growth. The second-best window is September, when harvest colours replace summer heat and crowds thin out. Avoid hiking between 11:00 and 15:00 in July and August, when Alföld temperatures regularly exceed 33 °C on open, shadeless plain sections.

How difficult is the Mária-út M01-37?

This segment is accessible to most walkers. The terrain is predominantly flat Great Hungarian Plain, gaining only 207 m of elevation across 18 km — equivalent to a gentle, prolonged incline rather than any steep climb. Path surfaces range from compacted earth field tracks to quiet asphalt country lanes. The main physical demands are sustained walking time (4–5 hours), heat management in summer, and carrying sufficient water between the sparse resupply points at Nyírbogát and Piricse.

How many kilometres can I cover per day on this segment?

The full M01-37 segment — Máriapócs to Piricse — covers 18 km and is designed as a single day's stage on the Via Mariae network. A standard pilgrim pace of 4 km/h including short rest stops completes the route in 4–5 hours, leaving afternoon time for transport or settling into accommodation. Faster hikers can link this segment with the adjacent M01-36 (Napkor–Máriapócs, ~17 km) or the onward M01-38 stage for a longer 30–35 km day.

What accommodation is available along the route?

Máriapócs offers the most options: pilgrim guesthouses near the Basilica charge approximately 18–28 EUR per person per night, with full-board options around 35–45 EUR at some houses. Nyírbogát has limited private rooms at roughly 20–35 EUR per night. Piricse is a small village with minimal formal accommodation; most day hikers complete the segment as a return trip from Máriapócs or continue to the next overnight stop on the M01 axis. Book ahead via mariaut.hu during the August pilgrimage season when demand peaks sharply.

Do I need a permit to walk the Mária-út M01-37?

No permit is required. The trail follows public paths and minor roads through agricultural land in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, northeastern Hungary. Entry to the Basilica of Máriapócs at the start point is free. Pilgrims wishing to collect an official Via Mariae credential booklet and stage stamps — a tradition similar to the Camino de Santiago credencial — should contact the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület directly; the booklet is free and entirely optional.