The Five Toughest Trails in Hungary

Don't let Hungary's mild landscape fool you: this little country has more than enough rough terrains and several crazy trail challenges to give even the most experienced trail runners and endurance hikers a run for their money. To show that we're really not playing around, here are five of the hardest trail challenges that Hungary has to offer.

This is a subjective list. It can be pretty problematic to be objective about the difficulty of trails: the particular weather conditions of each year and the participants' personal strengths and preferences can account for a lot of differences in opinion. I put together this list based on my own experiences and rather than just listing the five longest trails, I tried to highlight some events from different categories that gained reputation throughout the years. If you feel that this list sorely misses some events, please let me know, I plan to make a follow-up list with your suggestions.

5. Börzsöny éjszakai (Börzsöny Night Hike) - 47 km | 2595 m+ | 15h

Organized for more than 20 years in the Börzsöny mountains at the beginning of February, this hike does not kid around. Starting in the evening, participants have to battle the usually harsh weather conditions during nighttime. Deep snow, freezing temperatures, and violently flowing streams are to be expected at this challenge. But even if you happen to be really lucky and the weather is merciful, you still have to take on the almost 2600 metre positive altitude change as you conquer 8-900 metre high peaks one after another at this crazy roundabout.

4. Mátrabérc / Mátrabérc Trail - 55.8 km | 2880 m+ | 13h / 10h

Nearing its 30th anniversary, this hike is a real classic. At this 56 kilometre challenge participants have to cross the Mátra mountains from east to west on its main ridge, which is considered to be one of the most technical and difficult trails in the country. For a few years now, a trail running alternative has been organized next to the classic endurance hike, but even before that, this trail had been perhaps the most important event for the best trail runners in Hungary. Whether you just want to try yourself at one of the most rewarding Hungarian trail challenges or compete with the best of the best, this is definitely an event you cannot miss.

3. Terep Százas (Ultraspire Trail Hundred) - 104.6 km | 3582 m+ | 17h

First organized simultaneously with the classic Kinizsi 100 hike, this trail became independent a few years ago and set the bar for every other serious trail running race in the country. Starting and finishing in Budapest, Trail Hundred has an exciting, technical, and very enjoyable route leading through the Buda hills, Pilis, and the Visegrád mountains. With its length just above a hundred kilometres and more than 3500 metres of positive altitude change, this trail is a great challenge even for the fiercest runners out there. It might not be easy to finish in 17 hours, but the professional organization and the enthusiastic and thoughtful helpers will surely make it smoother.

2. Mátra 115 - 124 km | 6374 m+ | 30h

Now this is where it gets rough. With a quite misleading name, Mátra 115 is actually a 124 kilometre hike that accumulates a crazy amount of positive altitude change among some of the highest peaks of the country. The beautiful but ruthless route is sure to pose a decent challenge to the best of the hiker and runner community as well, but to soften the blow, this incredibly well-organized trail also delivers some of the best refreshment points one can dream of. This event is definitely worth a visit even from far away, if not for the challenge, then for experiencing the Hungarian hospitality.

1. Kazinczy 200 - 206.5 km | 7340 m+ | 55h

Well, yep. 206 kilometres. Yes, you read it right, that is two hundred and six kilometres. This crazy trail has been organized for five years in the north-eastern part of the country, among the astonishingly beautiful mountains of Zemplén. Although the distance would be enough in itself, that is not the end of the challenges: participants also have to conquer more than 7000 metres of positive altitude change and battle some surprisingly technical terrains. For most participants, this trail involves two sleepless nights, but so far, even for the fastest finishers it took almost 38 hours to finish this monster of a hike. In its five year history, Kazinczy 200 has only had 40 successful finishers, among whom a total of 74 'finishes' are accumulated. This shows that while this trail is not a walk in the park, it is definitely an event that you will want to participate in again once you've experienced the beauty of the landscape and the hospitality of the organizers.

Image sources: 5, 4, 3, 2