Mária-út, M05-28 (Jászapáti – Pély)

The Mária-út M05-28 is a 21 km point-to-point trail in Hungary, crossing the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld) from the historic market town of Jászapáti to the quiet village of Pély. Gaining fewer than 80 m in elevation throughout, it suits walkers of all levels and connects two communities on one of Europe's most spiritually significant pilgrimage networks — the 1,450 km Via Maria.

About the Mária-út M05-28 (Jászapáti – Pély)

The Mária-út (Hungarian for "Mary's Way") is Central Europe's premier network of Catholic pilgrimage routes, linking Marian shrines from Mariazell in Austria through Slovakia and Hungary to Șumuleu Ciuc in Romania — a total distance of approximately 1,450 km. The network holds International Walking Network (IWN) status, placing it alongside routes such as the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena in terms of cultural and spiritual reach. The route is maintained by the Mária Út Közhasznú Egyesület, Hungary's dedicated pilgrimage association, which publishes waymarking standards, pilgrim credentials, and accommodation guides for every branch.

Segment M05-28 runs between Jászapáti and Pély, two settlements in the heart of the Hungarian Plain. Jászapáti is the principal town of the Jász district in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County — a place with roots stretching back to the medieval settlement of the Jász (Yazig) people, Iranian-Alanic nomads who were granted collective noble privileges by the Hungarian crown in the 13th century. Pély, by contrast, is a quiet agricultural village in Heves County, sitting amid open farmland near the historic Tisza basin.

Unlike the dramatic upland stages found on other branches of the Mária-út, M05-28 is defined by flatness and sky. Cumulative elevation gain across the full 21 km barely exceeds 80 m, and the route follows a mix of unpaved field tracks, minor roads and village paths. Walkers find that attention turns outward on this terrain: to the immense cloud formations rolling across the Alföld, the roadside stone crosses (kőkeresztek) that have marked pilgrimage paths across Hungary for centuries, and the slow, unhurried rhythm of rural life in settlements that have changed little since the 19th-century drainage of the great Tisza marshes.

The route is waymarked with the Mária-út's distinctive blue-and-white shell symbol. Signage is generally reliable through settlements but can be sparse on open agricultural tracks between Alattyán and Pély. Downloading the official GPX track before departure is strongly advised.

Route Overview & Stages

The M05-28 covers approximately 21 km from Jászapáti to Pély across uniformly flat terrain. Most walkers complete it in a single day at a relaxed pilgrim pace of 4–5 km/h, arriving in Pély after 5–6 hours including rest stops. The route can be split at Alattyán (roughly 13 km) for those preferring a shorter outing, with local bus or taxi connections available back to Jászapáti. When planning food for the day, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day provides useful benchmarks for a 21 km flat walk.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Saint George's Parish Church, Jászapáti — The town's defining Baroque church, rebuilt in the 18th century on medieval foundations, is the traditional departure point for pilgrims beginning the M05-28. Its interior holds a noted high altar and historic votive offerings presented by the Jász community over generations of pilgrimage.
• Jász Museum (Jász Múzeum), Jászapáti — A short detour from the trail's start, this ethnographic collection documents the culture of the Jász people — medieval Yazig settlers from the Iranian steppe who received a royal charter granting them collective noble status in medieval Hungary. Their distinct heritage shaped this entire district.
• Puszta Farmland & Alföld Sky — Between Jászapáti and Alattyán the route passes through the signature landscape of the Great Hungarian Plain: fields of wheat, sunflowers and maize stretching to an unbroken horizon, isolated tanya farmsteads, and a sky so vast that Hungarian poets have returned to it for two centuries.
• Roadside Stone Crosses (Kőkeresztek) — Wayside crosses and small Marian shrines appear at field junctions and village boundaries throughout the stage. These kőkeresztek have guided pilgrims across Hungary for hundreds of years and remain among the most evocative markers of the Mária-út experience.
• Alattyán Village Centre — The natural midpoint of the route, Alattyán provides a welcome rest stop with a historic church, village square and usually a public water source near the church. It also serves as a practical exit point for walkers cutting the stage short.
• Historic Tisza Basin Farmland — The terrain between Alattyán and Pély lies within the former Tisza floodplain. Massive 19th-century river-engineering projects transformed what was once marshland into productive farmland; the fields walkers cross today feed a substantial share of Hungary's agricultural output.
• Pély Village & Reformed Church — The endpoint of the stage, Pély is a quietly atmospheric village whose Reformed (Calvinist) church underlines the religious plurality of this part of Hungary — a reminder that the Mária-út passes through landscapes shaped by both Catholic and Protestant traditions over centuries.
• Alföld Cloudscapes & Photography — The flat, unobstructed horizon of the plain between Jászapáti and Pély creates some of Central Europe's most dramatic sky photography conditions. The golden light of spring and autumn evenings, reflected across open fields, rewards walkers with cameras at every turn.

Best Time to Hike the Mária-út M05-28 (Jászapáti – Pély)

The M05-28 is accessible in all four seasons — no mountain passes to close, no snow to block the route — but the continental climate of the Hungarian Plain creates very distinct walking conditions by time of year.

Spring (April – May) delivers the best conditions. Daytime temperatures range from 12 °C to 22 °C, wildflowers line the field margins, trail surfaces are firm after winter drainage, and daylight extends beyond 20:00 by mid-May. As of 2026, the Mária-út pilgrimage season officially reopens in April, with organised group departures from Jászapáti typically running on weekends from late April through the end of May.

Early Autumn (September – October) is the second-best window. Harvest-season fields fill the plain with activity, temperatures cool to 10–20 °C, and the low autumn sun casts extraordinary golden light across the landscape. October mornings often bring mist over the lowlands — atmospheric rather than obstructive, though a light windproof layer is worthwhile.

Summer (June – August) is walkable but demanding. Midday temperatures regularly exceed 35 °C on the exposed plain, and shade between settlements is almost non-existent. Summer walkers should start no later than 06:00 and aim to reach Pély before early afternoon. Carry at least 2 litres of water from Jászapáti; water sources between settlements are not guaranteed.

Winter (November – March) brings cold winds off the plain and limited daylight. Guesthouses along the route often close from November to March, and the landscape, while stark and beautiful, offers little shelter. Winter walking is not recommended unless you are experienced and fully self-sufficient.

Best single month: May.

Practical Information

Accommodation

M05-28 is comfortably completed as a one-day walk, so most walkers base themselves in Jászapáti the night before and arrange return transport from Pély after finishing.

• Guesthouses in Jászapáti (panzió) — Several family-run guesthouses in town charge €18–35 per person per night, typically including breakfast. The Mária-út association maintains an up-to-date pilgrim accommodation list on their website.
• Parish & Community Beds — Some churches in the Mária-út network offer pilgrims a dormitory bed or floor space for a donation of €5–10. Availability is limited and must be arranged at least a day in advance by phone or email through the local parish.
• Jászberény — The largest town in the region (~20 km west of Jászapáti) has a wider hotel selection ranging from €30–55 per night and is well served by both bus and regional rail.
• Camping — Wild camping on agricultural land requires landowner permission under Hungarian law. No designated campsite exists directly on this stage.

Getting There & Back

From Budapest: Jászapáti lies approximately 100 km east of Budapest. Regional trains depart Budapest Keleti station for Jászberény (journey time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes), with connecting buses to Jászapáti taking a further 30–40 minutes. By car, take the M3 motorway east to Hatvan, then road 31 south — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from central Budapest.

From Pély: Public transport from Pély is limited. The most practical return option is a pre-booked taxi to Jászapáti or Jászberény (estimated €15–20). Alternatively, a local bus connects Pély to Heves town, from which regional trains run toward Budapest. Current timetables for all rail services are available on the MÁV Hungarian Railways website.

Nearest airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), approximately 130 km from Jászapáti. Car rental is the most flexible option for international visitors; allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes driving time from the airport.

Permits & Fees

No permit or fee is required to walk the Mária-út M05-28. The trail crosses public paths and minor roads accessible to all. The optional Mária-út pilgrim credential (útlevél) is available from the association or at the starting church in Jászapáti for a small fee. It can be stamped at churches, guesthouses, and cultural sites across the network — a worthwhile memento and a practical record of every stage completed.

Gear & Packing List

The M05-28's flat terrain reduces the demands on footwear and pack weight compared to mountain routes, but the exposed plain and potential summer heat make sun protection and water capacity the priority items. For pack selection across pilgrimage and day-walk routes, our round-up of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 covers tested options across all price points and load types.

• Daypack (20–35 L): The Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 offers a structured frame, hip belt and 35 L of capacity — enough for a well-provisioned day walk with layers, food and 2 litres of water. Ultralight walkers will prefer the Salomon ADV Skin 20, which keeps the load close to the body and the back cool in summer heat. Those planning to continue on further M05 stages and carry overnight gear should consider the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 for extended multi-night carrying capacity.
• Sun protection: A wide-brim hat, SPF 50+ sunscreen and UV-protective clothing are non-negotiable on the exposed Alföld from May through September. There is almost no natural shade between settlements on this stage.
• Water: Leave Jászapáti with at least 1.5 litres; carry 2.0 litres in warmer months. Alattyán (13 km) typically has a public tap near the church. Do not rely on finding water between villages without confirming in advance.
• Navigation: Download the GPX track from the Mária-út website before departure. A phone power bank is worthwhile on the full 21 km stage. Paper maps from the 1:50,000 Hungarian topographic series are available in Jászapáti bookshops.
• Footwear: Trail running shoes or light hiking shoes are entirely sufficient. Heavy waterproof boots are unnecessary in dry conditions and will overheat feet in summer.
• Food: Stock up in Jászapáti — the last reliably open shop before Pély. Our hiking calorie guide estimates 1,500–1,800 kcal above basal needs for a 21 km flat day walk.
• Pilgrim credential: The Mária-út útlevél is available at the starting church in Jászapáti. Collecting stamps from churches and guesthouses across the stage is one of the defining pleasures of walking the Mária-út network.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Walkers drawn to the Mária-út M05-28's combination of cultural depth and accessible terrain will find rewarding options across Hungary and the wider region. Hungary's Camino Benedictus (Tihany–Pannonhalma–Lébény–Mosonmagyaróvár–Rajka) shares the same pilgrimage character but crosses Transdanubia's rolling hills and Benedictine abbey landscapes. Along the Danube corridor, ST202a Čunovo – Lipót and ST203a Lipót – Győr follow one of Europe's great rivers through northwest Hungary. More experienced hikers seeking a challenge after the gentle Alföld should explore ST307 Nagylók – Mezőfalva and ST311 Kalocsa – Bóni-fok, both rated expert in Hungary's national trail network. For a dramatic contrast in terrain, our guide to the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania covers one of the Balkans' most iconic alpine routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Mária-út M05-28?

May is the single best month. Spring temperatures of 12–22 °C, long daylight hours and firm trail surfaces combine to make it the most comfortable period. The Mária-út pilgrimage season officially opens in April, with organised group starts from Jászapáti running through May. September and October are excellent autumn alternatives — cooler, with golden harvest light across the plain and the fields full of late-season activity.

How difficult is the Mária-út M05-28?

The stage is accessible to most walkers. Elevation gain is under 80 m over 21 km, and all surfaces are paved roads, compacted field paths or village tracks. The main challenges are heat exposure in summer and the mental focus required for a long, flat walk with few dramatic landmarks. Fit first-time long-distance walkers should manage the stage comfortably in spring or autumn conditions.

How far do people typically walk each day on this route?

The M05-28 is designed as a single day stage of approximately 21 km, typically completed in 5–6 hours at a relaxed pilgrim pace. Walkers who prefer a shorter day can break at Alattyán (13 km), from where bus or taxi connections return to Jászapáti. Those continuing on adjacent M05 stages typically walk 18–25 km per day depending on accommodation placement along the network.

Where can I stay when walking the Mária-út M05-28?

Most walkers base themselves in Jászapáti the night before and return from Pély the same day. Jászapáti has family guesthouses at €18–35 per person per night. Some Mária-út churches offer basic pilgrim beds for €5–10 by prior arrangement. Jászberény, 20 km west, has a broader hotel selection at €30–55 per night. There is no designated campsite directly on this stage.

Do I need a permit to walk the Mária-út M05-28?

No permit is required. The trail crosses public paths and minor roads and is free to walk for all. The optional Mária-út pilgrim credential (útlevél) is not a permit but a voluntary stamp-book available at the starting church in Jászapáti for a small fee. It serves as a record of stages completed across the wider network and is a valued keepsake for most pilgrims who walk multiple stages.