Gyöngyök útja / Via Margaritarum

The place

Base route: Budapest - Mátraverebély-Szentkút

Why go

Pécs Cathedral and the early Christian necropolis (UNESCO). Szekszárd and its wine region. Pannonhalma Archabbey (UNESCO). Győr's baroque old town.

A bit of history

The Via Margaritarum ("Path of Pearls") is part of a European pilgrimage route network that follows the trails of medieval pilgrimage roads. In western Hungary it embodies the connection between the Pannonian dioceses, along the Pécs–Győr axis.

Getting there

Pécs: train from Budapest (3 hours). Győr: train from Budapest (1.5 hours) and Vienna (1 hour).

Recommended gear

Lightweight hiking boots. Rain jacket. Pilgrim's credential.

Best season

April to October. September–October harvest time is especially atmospheric.