Galyatető Grand Loop — Top of the Mátra

Our full-day epic: 47 km and 1,250 m of climbing to Galyatető and back — lookout tower, mountain meadows, long forest descents.

Duration

~7 h

Distance

46.5 km

Elevation gain

1150 m

Difficulty

challenging

Group size

max. 3 people

Price / person

26 900 Ft

Meeting point

📍 Mátrakaland base, 3065 Pásztó, Vár út 69.

The longest, most adventurous loop in our fleet: from the Hasznos base we climb steadily through forests and mountain meadows until we reach Galyatető, the second-highest summit group of the Mátra (964 m). On a clear day, half of northern Hungary lies at your feet from the lookout tower.

On the way up we pass the Vörös-kő lookout (781 m) and the ruins of Galyavár before reaching the top, where a longer break awaits: the Thuróczy Lajos lookout tower, lunch, photos. We descend below the Piszkés-tető observatory and through Mátraszentimre — harvested fields, hay bales and the northern slopes of the Mátra accompany us as we roll back into the Zagyva valley by early evening.

1,250 metres of climbing in a day is serious business — on an ebike, though, it's a joy rather than a struggle. Batteries are swapped en route; your guide takes care of it. For our sporty guests, this is the one not to miss.

The route

⬇ Download GPX 🖨 Printable map (PDF) (in Hungarian)

Elevation profile

Sights along the route

#	km	Place	Good to know
	2.0	Drinking water (public tap)
1	2.9	Tar	Village in the Zagyva valley, early on the route.
2	4.2	Csevice springs	The csevice of Tar: naturally sparkling spring water.
3	11.6	Ágasvár hikers' hostel	The Ágasvár hostel with a buffet; a good rest after the first big climb.
	11.7	Ágasvár buffet
4	17.0	Vörös-kő lookout (781 m)	Lookout above Mátraszentistván with fine views to the north.
5	20.7	Galyavár ruins	Castle remains on the ridge.
6	22.6	Galyatető lookout	The Thuróczy Lajos lookout at 960 m; the Hegyi Kisvendéglő restaurant is next to it. Lunch stop.
	23.2	Hegyi Kisvendéglő restaurant	Kormos Shop (grocery) and drinking water next door.
7	24.4	Galya-tető (965 m)	The second-highest summit of the Mátra; the route passes right next to the top.
8	26.3	Piszkés-tető (944 m)	The route passes near the Piszkéstető observatory.
9	28.3	Mátraszentimre	Mountain village with several restaurants — the last big rest stop.
	28.4	Restaurants of Mátraszentimre	Vadvirág restaurant, Csörgő inn and more; drinking water (km 28.1–28.7).
10	31.8	Fallóskút	Pilgrimage site with the Szent-kút spring.
	32.1	Drinking water (public tap)
	37.0	Mátrakapu grocery
11	37.8	Mátrakeresztes	Village in the valley: Mátrakapu grocery, Fakanalas Csárda inn.
	38.1	Fakanalas Csárda inn	Food, drinks and drinking water (km 37.8–38.5).
12	44.5	Cserter Castle ruins	Castle site on the hill above Hasznos, at the end of the ride home.