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Mountain bike trails above the cityBudapest

Gitta Beimfohr

 · 25.12.2015

Mountain bike trails above the city: BudapestPhoto: budapest.com
Mountain bike trails above the city: Budapest
In our city series, we show you where you can combine a city trip with a bike tour. Part 3: Budapest, the capital of Hungary.


BUDAPEST


Castles, thermal springs, bridges over the Danube, fashion and a beautiful trail park with chairlift

Since Pest and Buda were merged in 1873, the city districts have only been separated by the Danube. However, you can quickly change neighbourhoods on nine bridges. This is also necessary in the Hungarian capital if you want to see all the important spots. In principle, cruising along the Danube cycle path is enough for the main attractions. The castle palace, parliament building, Chain Bridge - all easily visible from the riverbank. However, the iconic spots are a little more hidden and are perfect for discovering by bike. The Aquincom Ruin Garden, for example, or the many small designer studios. You'll come across a surprising number of mountain bikers on the streets and always wonder where they've just come from. The answer: from János-hegy (St John's Hill). At 527 metres, this is the highest mountain in the city. Here, the locals have carved an exciting network of paths into the forest floor - and there is even a chairlift that saves 262 metres in altitude. But you can also make much longer loops through the Buda Hills. The white rock needles that keep appearing between the trees are even reminiscent of dolomite rock.

After the tour, there is plenty to do again: either for deep relaxation in one of the city's famous thermal baths or directly in the bar mile along the Danube. Here you can watch from a deckchair as the evening sun slowly colours the historic walls of the city orange.

Patricia Roth, guide at the bike agency: "City trips with bikes are a really exciting combination. Firstly, the cultural programme feels more relaxed, and in the evening you don't fall into a hut bed at nine, but can really experience something."Photo: Markus Greber Patricia Roth, guide at the bike agency: "City trips with bikes are a really exciting combination. Firstly, the cultural programme feels more relaxed, and in the evening you don't fall into a hut bed at nine, but can really experience something."


Journey The train journey from Munich, for example, takes 7.5 hours, the flight only 1:15 hours. However, direct flights are only available with Lufthansa for around 300 euros. From Stuttgart, Germanwings flies direct to Budapest at a bargain price.


Absolutely do it A visit to one of the historic thermal baths (www.gellertbad.huWE ticket 16 euros). Flatlab, the designer flat on Kálvin Square: young designers who also design cycling gear, www.flatlab.hu
Further insider tips:
www.spottedbylocals.com

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Events Critical Mass: Thousands of cyclists meet "by chance" for a demo tour through the city.
Info: www.criticalmass.hu

Budapest's historic thermal baths, such as the Gellert Baths, are well worth a visit.Photo: Veranstalter Budapest's historic thermal baths, such as the Gellert Baths, are well worth a visit.
Gitta Beimfohr

Gitta Beimfohr joined the BIKE travel resort during her tourism studies when the Strada delle 52 Gallerie on the Pasubio was closed to mountain bikers. Since Gitta crossed the Alps twice at racing speed, she has favoured multi-day tours - by MTB in the Alps or by gravel bike through the German low mountain ranges.

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