Mária-út, M02-37 (Püspökszentlászló – Pécs)

The Mária-út M02-37 is a 26.12-km point-to-point pilgrimage trail in southern Hungary, winding through the forested ridges of the Mecsek hills from the historic bishop's estate at Püspökszentlászló to the UNESCO-listed city of Pécs. Gaining roughly 450 m of elevation across a comfortable day's walk, the route is rated moderate and forms part of the Mária-út, Central Europe's largest Marian pilgrimage network.

About the Mária-út, M02-37 (Püspökszentlászló – Pécs)

The Mária-út (Mary's Way) is Central Europe's most extensive pilgrimage trail network, connecting hundreds of Marian shrines across Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Romania, Croatia and beyond. The M02 branch threads south through the Transdanubian hills and into Baranya county, where section M02-37 links the serene village of Püspökszentlászló with Pécs — Hungary's most Mediterranean city and the seat of a diocese with more than a thousand years of Christian tradition.

Püspökszentlászló carries centuries of ecclesiastical history: the 18th-century bishop's summer palace still stands at the trailhead, surrounded by old-growth lime and chestnut trees that have shaded pilgrims for generations. From here the route climbs into the heart of the Mecsek hills — a 130-km-long ridge running northeast to southwest that forms a dramatic green canopy above the Pannonian Plain. The Mecsek is renowned across Hungary for its mild, almost Mediterranean microclimate, which supports a flora of over 1,000 recorded plant species, including sub-Mediterranean oak communities, wild lilies-of-the-valley in spring, and spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) growing at its northern distribution limit.

The 26.12 km from Püspökszentlászló to Pécs are marked with the Mária-út's distinctive waymarks and can be walked in 7–9 hours by a fit hiker, or spread across two comfortable days with an overnight stop in Orfű. The route ends in central Pécs, whose Early Christian Necropolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000) makes for a rewarding cultural finish to a day in the forest. The trail is maintained by the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület and belongs to the International Walking Network (IWN) — one of the world's most significant long-distance route systems.

Route Overview & Stages

The M02-37 follows forest tracks and waymarked paths across the undulating Mecsek terrain. The trail can be completed as a single long day or divided into two equal stages, using Orfű — a popular recreation village at the midpoint — as an overnight stop. Waymarks are consistent throughout; downloading the official Mária-út GPX track before departure is advisable as mobile signal is intermittent in the deeper forest sections.

Total elevation gain for the full route is approximately 450 m, with a corresponding descent of around 550 m as the trail drops from the Mecsek ridgeline into Pécs at roughly 130 m above sea level. The terrain is predominantly earthen forest track with some rocky sections near the ridge; no scrambling or technical skill is required at any point.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Püspökszentlászló Bishop's Palace — An 18th-century summer residence built for the bishops of Pécs, set in a landscaped park of lime, chestnut and silver fir. The baroque manor is a tranquil start to the pilgrimage and the adjacent village chapel is a traditional first prayer stop on the Mária-út.
• Mecsek Old-Growth Forest — The M02-37 traverses sections of near-primeval beech and oak woodland where century-old trees form a cathedral canopy. The Mecsek supports more than 1,000 plant species and remains one of the most biodiverse hill ranges in the entire Carpathian Basin.
• Orfű Reservoir Lakes — At the approximate midpoint, the route approaches the Orfű recreation area: a chain of four artificial lakes created in the 1960s that now draw swimmers, kayakers and anglers. The lakeside path offers a welcome open stretch after hours of enclosed forest walking.
• Mecsek Ridge Viewpoints — Several clearings along the ridge at 400–500 m elevation give sweeping views south across the Baranya plain toward Croatia, extending more than 50 km on clear days.
• Tubes Peak (611 m) — The highest accessible summit near the route rises just off the main trail. A short detour rewards with a hilltop lookout tower and the distinctive TV mast that serves as Pécs's most recognisable skyline landmark from the valley below.
• Duna-Dráva National Park Buffer Zone — Parts of the trail pass through protected zones where roe deer, red squirrel and the lesser spotted eagle are regularly spotted. Flora in protected sections includes several orchid species that flower in May and June.
• Pécs Early Christian Necropolis — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the late Roman burial chambers beneath the city centre date to the 4th century and are among the most significant early Christian monuments outside Rome. A natural destination for arriving pilgrims.
• Pécs Basilica (Pécsi Bazilika) — The four-towered Romanesque cathedral traces its foundations to the 11th century and dominates the city skyline. Pilgrims on the Mária-út traditionally complete the walk here as the devotional endpoint of the Püspökszentlászló section.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út, M02-37 (Püspökszentlászló – Pécs)

The Mecsek hills are walkable year-round, but the quality of experience varies considerably by season. As of 2026, the trail infrastructure is in good condition throughout the entire 26.12 km route.

April–May (recommended): Spring is the standout season. Temperatures range from 14 °C to 22 °C, the forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers — lily-of-the-valley, wild garlic and wood anemone — and the beech canopy is still translucent enough to let afternoon light filter through. Forest springs are at their fullest, water sources along the route are reliable, and the trail sees moderate but convivial pilgrim traffic. May is the single best month to walk this section: long daylight hours, settled weather and the forest at its most vivid, without the heat of high summer.

June–August: Summer is warm (25–35 °C peak) and the dense forest shade keeps the trail comfortable even on hot Baranya days. However, the Orfű lake area becomes crowded with day-trippers and accommodation prices rise. Carry at least 2 litres of water, as forest springs can slow in drought years.

September–October: Autumn brings cool mornings (10–18 °C), spectacular foliage turning from green to gold and amber across the Mecsek, and noticeably fewer other walkers. October mushroom foraging adds a secondary pleasure to the forest walk. Shorter daylight hours make a two-day split advisable for leisurely walkers.

November–March: Winter walking is possible but trails can be muddy after rain, and some Orfű guesthouses close between November and March. Snow is rare below 400 m but the ridge can hold ice in January and February. Trekking poles and waterproof footwear are essential outside the core pilgrimage season.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Orfű, at roughly the midpoint of the route, is the main overnight option for walkers splitting the trail over two days. Guesthouses (panzió) in Orfű charge approximately €30–55 per room per night; several offer half-board with dinner included, which is welcome after a full day on the trail. The Orfű campsite operates from April to October and charges around €8–12 per person per night for tent pitches.

In Püspökszentlászló the Egervár guesthouse (converted from bishop's estate outbuildings) offers rooms from roughly €45–60 per double and is a comfortable trailhead option for the night before departure. Pécs itself offers the widest choice, from budget city-centre hostels (€18–25 per dorm bed) to mid-range hotels (€60–90 per double). Booking ahead is advisable in May and September, when pilgrimage and leisure tourism overlap at their peak.

Getting There & Back

Pécs is served by direct trains from Budapest Keleti station; the journey takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes and services run roughly hourly. Pécs railway station sits 1.5 km from the city centre and is well connected by local bus.

To reach Püspökszentlászló for the trailhead, take bus line 33 or 43 from Pécs central bus station (Autóbusz-állomás); the journey takes about 45 minutes and buses run several times daily. A taxi from central Pécs takes 25–30 minutes. There is no railway station in Püspökszentlászló itself.

The nearest international airport is Pécs-Pogány (PEV), 10 km southeast of the city, with seasonal connections. Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), 220 km northeast, is the practical entry point for most international travellers; the drive south on the M6 motorway takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Permits & Fees

No permit or trail fee is required to walk the Mária-út M02-37. The route is free and publicly accessible to all walkers. No national park permit is needed to hike on designated trails within the Duna-Dráva National Park buffer zones that the route passes through. Pilgrims seeking stamps for a Mária-út pilgrim passport (útlevél) can collect them at churches and participating guesthouses along the way; the passport itself is available free from the Mária-út association or from the starting church in Püspökszentlászló.

Gear & Packing List

The M02-37 is a moderate forest trail with no technical terrain, but 26 km through undulating hills demands solid preparation. Key items to consider:

• Footwear: Trail running shoes or light hiking boots with ankle support. The earthen forest tracks become slippery after rain, and the final descent into Pécs is sustained enough to appreciate good grip.
• Backpack: A 20–35 litre daypack works well for a single-day attempt; for the two-day split with overnight gear, a 40–50 litre pack is the right choice. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 carries overnight loads comfortably on this kind of mixed terrain, while the Osprey Aether 65 suits those with heavier kit. Ultralight walkers doing the route in a single push will appreciate the stripped-back efficiency of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28. For pack selection beyond this route, see the guide to Best Ultralight Backpacks 2026.
• Water: Carry 1.5–2 litres; forest springs exist along the route but verify current conditions locally before relying on them as the sole source.
• Navigation: Download the official Mária-út GPX track before departure. Mobile signal is intermittent through the deep forest sections between Püspökszentlászló and Orfű.
• Clothing layers: Even in summer the Mecsek ridge can be 5–8 °C cooler than Pécs city below; a light wind shell is always worth its weight.
• Trekking poles: Recommended for the sustained descents, particularly the final drop into Pécs.
• Food and calories: For a full day covering 26 km with 450 m of gain, plan your nutrition carefully — see How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? for a practical breakdown.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Baranya hills and broader Transdanubian region offer excellent walking variety. If the M02-37 has sparked your interest in Hungarian pilgrimage routes and forest trails, these alternatives make natural companions or extensions — all within the same Central European walking landscape:

• Camino Benedictus (Tihany – Pannonhalma – Mosonmagyaróvár – Rajka) — Hungary's Benedictine pilgrimage route linking Lake Balaton to the Austrian border across the Transdanubian hills, combining abbey visits with rolling countryside walking.
• ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva — A riverside and agricultural plain walk in central Hungary, offering strong contrast to the Mecsek's enclosed forest terrain (expert).
• ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok — Follows the Danube floodplain south from the paprika capital of Kalocsa, combining natural wetland landscapes with cultural history (expert).
• ST202a Čunovo – Lipót — A Danube-side route crossing from Slovakia into Hungary through the riverine Szigetköz landscape (expert).
• ST203a Lipót – Győr — Continues upstream toward Győr, one of Hungary's finest baroque cities (expert).

For a more dramatic mountain contrast, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania trades the Mecsek's gentle forest trails for the high alpine passes of the Albanian Alps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Mária-út M02-37?

May is the best single month: temperatures stay between 14 °C and 22 °C, the Mecsek forest is in full spring bloom, wildflowers carpet the trail edges, and daylight extends past 8 p.m. September and October are close runners-up with cool air, golden foliage and minimal crowds. Avoid January and February unless well-equipped for mud and occasional ice on the ridge above 400 m.

How difficult is the Mária-út M02-37 from Püspökszentlászló to Pécs?

The route is rated moderate. The 26.12 km involves approximately 450 m of total elevation gain across undulating Mecsek terrain, with no scrambling, exposed ridges or technical sections. The main challenge is sustained length — 7 to 9 hours of walking — rather than technical difficulty. Reasonably fit walkers with comfortable footwear and adequate water will find it well within their abilities, even without previous long-distance hiking experience.

How far should I plan to walk each day on this trail?

The full 26.12 km fits comfortably into a single day for walkers averaging 4–5 km/h, typically taking 7–9 hours including rest stops. Those preferring a relaxed pace can split the route at Orfű — approximately 13 km from Püspökszentlászló — and spend the night before completing the second half to Pécs the following morning. Most pilgrims travelling the broader Mária-út network walk M02-37 as a single day stage.

What accommodation is available along the route?

Püspökszentlászló has the Egervár guesthouse (from ~€45–60 per double) for a pre-hike overnight. Orfű, at the midpoint, offers several guesthouses (€30–55 per room) and a campsite (€8–12 per person, April–October). Pécs has the widest range: budget hostels from €18–25 per dorm bed, mid-range hotels from €60–90 per double. Booking in advance is recommended in May and September when pilgrimage and leisure traffic both peak.

Do I need a permit to hike the Mária-út M02-37?

No permit or entrance fee is required. The trail is free and open to all walkers year-round. No national park permit is needed for hiking on the designated waymarked paths through the Duna-Dráva National Park buffer zones the route crosses. Pilgrims wishing to collect stamps for a Mária-út pilgrim passport can pick up a free passport (útlevél) at the starting church in Püspökszentlászló and add stamps at churches and guesthouses along the way to Pécs.