Mária-út, M05-24 (Veresegyház – Bag)

The Mária-út M05-24 is a 25.64-km point-to-point pilgrimage trail in Pest County, Hungary, connecting Veresegyház with the village of Bag and gaining 460 m of elevation through the forested Gödöllő Hills and open farmland. Rated moderate and walkable in a single long day, this stage of Central Europe's Via Maria network passes volcanic crater lakes, oak woodlands, and roadside Marian shrines in a landscape that has changed little in centuries.

About the Mária-út, M05-24 (Veresegyház – Bag)

The Mária-út — known internationally as the Via Maria — is one of Central Europe's most significant long-distance walking routes, stretching roughly 1,450 km from the Austrian Marian sanctuary of Mariazell through Slovakia, Hungary, and onward to Șumuleu Ciuc in Romania. The network is maintained by the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület (Mária Út Public Benefit Association), which signs, maps, and promotes all branches of the route across multiple countries. The M05 trunk line — the central backbone of the Hungarian section — is designated as part of the International Walking Network (IWN), a classification reserved for routes of continental significance.

Stage M05-24 covers 25.64 km between Veresegyház and Bag entirely within Pest County. Veresegyház is a commuter town roughly 25 km northeast of central Budapest, easily reached by suburban rail, making this stage highly accessible for city-based walkers. From there the route heads east and south-east, threading through the forested ridges of the southern Gödöllő Hills before descending into the agricultural plains that define the eastern Pest basin around Bag village.

This is not a high-mountain trail. With a cumulative elevation gain of 460 m and an equivalent descent of 490 m, the terrain is one of rolling hills and gentle forest paths rather than sharp ascents. What the stage offers instead is a quiet immersion in a distinctly Central European rural landscape: hornbeam and oak forests that harbour red deer and wild boar, roadside chapels festooned with fresh flowers, and the particular stillness of small Hungarian villages that see few tourists. For hikers familiar with the Camino de Santiago, the atmosphere — a blend of pilgrimage heritage and everyday countryside — will feel recognisable, though the crowds are a fraction of those on Iberia's famous routes.

The route is marked with the blue-and-white waymarkers of the Mária-út, supplemented by occasional QR codes linking to the association's digital maps. Waymarking is reliable throughout M05-24, though a downloaded GPX track is recommended as a backup on the forested middle section where mobile data can be patchy.

Route Overview & Stages

The 25.64 km from Veresegyház to Bag can be completed in a single long day, typically 6.5–8 hours of moving time. The table below breaks the route into three logical segments based on terrain and resupply points.

Drinking water should be carried from Veresegyház. Reliable resupply points are limited to Csomád village and Bag. Carry at least 2 litres on warm days and 3 litres in summer.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Veresegyház Trailhead (km 0): The stage begins at the town centre, a 10-minute walk from the suburban railway station. Veresegyház has a bakery, supermarket, and café — the ideal place to stock up before heading east. The town's eastern fringe borders a wildlife sanctuary known for its resident fox population and other native fauna.
• Csomád Volcanic Maar (km 5–7): One of the most unusual geological features in central Hungary, the Csomád area preserves the remnants of a Quaternary volcanic field. The Holt-tó (Dead Lake), a small maar lake near Csomád village, offers a striking natural detour just minutes from the waymarked trail — well worth the short deviation.
• Gödöllő Hills Forest (km 8–17): The long middle section of the stage traverses oak and hornbeam forest typical of the southern Gödöllő Hills. This is the most remote stretch, with minimal vehicle noise and good chances of spotting roe deer, red fox, and woodland birds. The shaded paths provide welcome relief on summer days.
• Marian Wayside Shrines: The Mária-út takes its name from the Virgin Mary, and small wayside chapels dot the entire stage — a tradition stretching back centuries in Catholic Hungary. Most are tended with fresh flowers even in remote sections, a living expression of local devotion along this centuries-old pilgrimage corridor.
• Ridge Viewpoint (km ~14): Near the forest midpoint, a cleared ridge opens views south and east across the Pest Plains. On clear days the horizon extends to the Mátra Hills to the north — a panorama that rewards the modest climb to reach it.
• Erdőkertes Village (km ~17.5): The route emerges from the forest at this quiet settlement. A small village park with benches provides the natural lunch stop before the exposed plains section begins and shade disappears.
• Agricultural Pest Plains (km 17–25): The final 8 km open into the broad flat farmland of the eastern Pest basin. Sunflower and grain fields stretch to every horizon in summer; in spring the fields are vivid green. The trail follows field-edge tracks and quiet country lanes under wide Hungarian skies.
• Bag Village Church (km 25.64): The stage ends at Bag's historic church, a well-preserved structure typical of Pest County's rural religious architecture. The church square has a bench and drinking fountain — a fitting finish to a long day on one of Central Europe's great pilgrimage networks.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út, M05-24 (Veresegyház – Bag)

The stage is walkable year-round, but as of 2026 the most comfortable hiking window runs from late April through early October.

Spring (April–May) is the finest season. Temperatures in Pest County typically reach 14–22 °C in May, the Gödöllő Hills forest bursts with fresh growth, wildflowers carpet the woodland floor, and the trail is dry without the heat of summer. May is the single best month — long daylight hours, mild temperatures, and no significant thunderstorm risk create near-ideal conditions on both the forest and plains sections.

Summer (June–August) brings reliable dry weather but temperatures on the exposed plains section regularly exceed 32 °C in July and August. If walking in summer, start by 07:00 to cover the open farmland before the heat peaks. Carry at least 3 litres of water; forest shade covers only the middle third of the route and provides no relief on the final approach to Bag.

Autumn (September–October) is an excellent alternative. Temperatures cool to 12–20 °C, the Gödöllő Hills turn gold and amber, and pilgrimage traffic concentrates around the Assumption (15 August) and Rosary (first Sunday of October) feast days — making late September particularly tranquil on the trail.

Winter (November–March) is possible but demanding. Mud is the primary obstacle on forest tracks after heavy rain, and December daylight runs fewer than 10 hours, leaving little margin for slow walkers. Snow is infrequent in Pest County and rarely lies deep when it falls.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Most walkers complete M05-24 as a single day from Budapest or Veresegyház, making overnight accommodation at the endpoint optional rather than essential.

In Veresegyház, several guesthouses (vendégház) offer double rooms for approximately 35–55 EUR per night. Booking ahead is recommended during summer and the Marian feast days in May and October when pilgrim numbers rise noticeably.

In Bag, accommodation is limited to a handful of rural guesthouses and private room rentals (szoba kiadó) at 25–40 EUR per night. Pilgrims holding a zarándokkönyv credential may access church hospitality at reduced or no cost — contact the Mária Út Association in advance to arrange this. The village has bus connections for returning to Budapest if you are not continuing to the next M05 stage.

For tent hikers, established campsites near Gödöllő town charge around 10–15 EUR per pitch. Wild camping is restricted in Hungarian forests but tolerated in remote areas well away from settlements and roads.

Getting There & Back

Veresegyház is served by Budapest's suburban H8 rail line (formerly the HÉV), departing from Örs vezér tere metro station every 30 minutes throughout the day. Journey time is approximately 40 minutes. The M05-24 trailhead is a 10-minute walk from Veresegyház station.

From Bag, return to Budapest via Volánbusz regional bus to Aszód (approximately 15 minutes), then by MÁV train from Aszód on the Budapest–Miskolc mainline. Total return journey to central Budapest takes roughly 75–90 minutes. For current timetables and links to national transport planners, see the European Ramblers Association's Hungary hiking page.

The nearest international airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport, approximately 45 km from Veresegyház. A taxi or shuttle takes around 50 minutes; alternatively, take the airport bus to Keleti station and connect to the H8 suburban line for the final leg to Veresegyház.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required and there is no trail access fee. The Mária-út is freely open to all walkers. The optional zarándokkönyv (pilgrim credential) is available free from the Mária Út Association and allows collection of stamp impressions at churches and select guesthouses along the route. Some stamp locations request a nominal 200–500 HUF (0.50–1.30 EUR) donation. The stage passes through community forest and private farmland rather than a national park, so no protected-area entry charges apply.

Gear & Packing List

M05-24 is a day walk rather than a multi-night expedition, so pack light. A 20–35-litre daypack with a hip belt is sufficient for most hikers. Those tackling the Mária-út as a continuous thru-hike across multiple stages will want a 45–65-litre pack with solid load transfer.

• Daypack: The Salomon ADV Skin 20 is light and close-fitting — ideal for fast day walks on rolling terrain like this stage. For heavier loads or multi-day stages, the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 balances capacity with back ventilation critical on the sun-exposed plains section.
• Multi-stage pack: Hikers continuing the full M05 route beyond Bag will benefit from the Osprey Aether 65, whose load transfer system handles heavy overnight loads comfortably over consecutive days.
• Footwear: Trail running shoes or low hiking boots suit the forest and farm tracks well. Waterproof footwear is sensible in spring and autumn. Trekking poles are optional but helpful on the steeper forest descents in the Csomád–Erdőkertes middle section.
• Water: Carry 2–3 litres from Veresegyház and refill at Csomád if available. The 8 km plains section from Erdőkertes to Bag has no reliable water source — arrive at Erdőkertes with enough to finish the route.
• Sun protection: Wide-brimmed hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential on the exposed farmland between Erdőkertes and Bag, where shade is minimal from June through August.
• Navigation: Download the GPX track from mariaut.hu before setting out. Mobile signal is intermittent in the Gödöllő Hills forest between km 8 and km 17.
• Food and fuel: Plan for a 7-hour day. Our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day gives useful benchmarks — 2,500–3,500 kcal is realistic for a 25 km stage. For walkers planning the full M05 thru-hike, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 is worth reading before committing to a multi-day setup.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the M05-24's mix of pilgrimage heritage, quiet forest walking, and open Central European farmland appeals, these Hungarian trails offer a similar character — ranging from Danube riverside routes to monastic long-distance walks.

• Camino Benedictus (Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka) — A long-distance monastic pilgrimage tracing Benedictine heritage across western Hungary, with stages similar in length and reflective atmosphere to the Mária-út M05.
• ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva — A route through the flat Transdanubian plains south of Budapest, offering a contrasting wide-open agricultural landscape to the forested Gödöllő Hills of M05-24.
• ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok — Traces the Danube floodplain south of Hungary's paprika capital, passing river oxbows and seasonal wetland reserves.
• ST202a Čunovo – Lipót — A Danube-side corridor linking Slovakia and northwest Hungary, ideal for Via Maria walkers exploring the broader regional network.
• ST203a Lipót – Győr — Continues the Danube riverside walk to the Baroque city of Győr, a natural companion stage to ST202a.

For an entirely different style of walking, our guide to the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania shows the full contrast: where the Mária-út offers quiet lowland pilgrimage, the Albanian Alps deliver raw mountain drama over challenging high-altitude passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to walk the Mária-út M05-24 from Veresegyház to Bag?
May is the ideal month. Temperatures in Pest County typically stay between 14 and 22 °C, the Gödöllő Hills forest is fully in leaf, and long daylight hours remove any time pressure. Spring also avoids the 32 °C+ heat that makes the exposed plains section punishing in midsummer. Late September is the best autumn alternative, with cooler air, golden foliage, and thin crowds on the trail.

How difficult is the Mária-út M05-24 stage?
The stage is moderate — accessible to any reasonably fit walker without specialist experience. The 25.64 km distance and 460 m of elevation gain place it in the category of a long country walk rather than a mountain hike. The main challenge is simply the distance: allow 6.5–8 hours of moving time and depart early, particularly in summer. There is no exposed scrambling, technical terrain, or route-finding difficulty in clear conditions.

How many kilometres per day should I expect on the Mária-út?
Most walkers average 20–28 km per day on the M05 route, which matches the official stage distances well. The M05-24 stage at 25.64 km sits comfortably within that range. Stages are designed around natural waypoints, churches, and accommodation, so following the official segments is practical for most hikers. Add 30–60 minutes to your day for shrine stops, village squares, and viewpoints.

What accommodation is available along the M05-24 stage?
Accommodation is concentrated at the two endpoints. Veresegyház has guesthouses at 35–55 EUR per night; Bag offers simpler rural rooms at 25–40 EUR. There is no formal accommodation mid-stage. Pilgrims with a zarándokkönyv credential may access church hospitality at reduced cost — contact the Mária Út Association via mariaut.hu before arriving to arrange this. The nearest campsite with facilities is near Gödöllő town, at around 10–15 EUR per pitch.

Is a permit required to walk the Mária-út M05-24, and are there any entry fees?
No permit is needed and there is no trail fee. The Mária-út is freely accessible to all. The optional zarándokkönyv (pilgrim credential) is available free from the Mária Út Association and allows stamp collection at churches and guesthouses; some locations request a 200–500 HUF (0.50–1.30 EUR) donation. The route passes through community forest and farmland rather than a national park, so no protected-area charges apply.