Where you are
You are in western Hungary in the foothills of the Alps. Forested hills, marked trails, and small border villages define the Alpokalja.
Base: 4 Cats Shelter in Cák. KÅ‘szeg is 10 minutes by car.
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Expect a rolling, beech-pine landscape with small paths, cool shade, and gentle climbs. Trails are signed. Bring ID near the EU border. Distances are short; most outings start from a lay-by or forest edge.
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Useful map links
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Day 1 — Friday: arrive, stroll, wine row
16:00–18:00 — Check-in at 4 Cats Shelter (Cák).
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Unpack and make tea. Keep it quiet and phone-light.
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18:00–19:30 — Historic wine cellar row (Cáki pincesor).
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Visit the cellar row
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Google Maps pin (navigate)
19:45–21:00 — Dinner in KÅ‘szeg old town (choose one).
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Kék Huszár VendéglÅ‘ (classic Hungarian):
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Bécsi kapu Étterem (by Jurisics Castle):
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Pizza option: L’angolo Pizzeria
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Return to your base for an early night.
Day 2 — Saturday: summit + soak
07:15–08:45 — Sunrise Micro-Loop (easy warm-up).
Use the KÅ‘szeg mountain PDF map and pick a short marked loop close to Cák (see pages/routes inside the guide)
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09:30–12:30 — Írott-kÅ‘ Peak (border panorama).
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Route idea (official hiking portal overview with POIs):
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Peak page (info)
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Trailhead/parking at Hörmann-forrás (Google Maps)
13:00–14:30 — Lunch in KÅ‘szeg.
Repeat one of last night’s options or check the city’s list: https://koszeg.hu/hu/gasztro/ettermek-11229.html
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15:30–18:30 — Thermal soak (pick one).
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BükfürdÅ‘ Thermal & Spa (large complex, many pools)
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Sárvár Spa (sauna world, family pools)
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Optional golden-hour stop on the way back: Hétforrás spring clearing (short flat walk from Király-völgy).
Day 3 — Sunday: light hike + culture, depart
8:00–10:00 — Szent Vid-kápolna panoramic loop
Drive 15 min to Velem and walk the short loop up to the white-walled Szent Vid chapel for wide forest views. Family-friendly paths, gentle gradients, year-round.
• Chapel info: Szent Vid-kápolna (official POI).
• Local page: Szent Vid-hegy és kápolna (KÅ‘szeg tourism).
• Route with downloadable GPX: Cák → Szent Vid-hegy → Szent Vid-kápolna → Velem (bergfex; GPX/KML available).
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10:45–12:00 — Old town & Jurisics Castle.
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City tourism portal (events, sights, castle info hub)
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12:00 — Check-out and head home recharged.
Optional swaps
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Bike roll, flat and quiet: short forest/gravel ideas and source list:
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Lake stroll in town (Szombathely): Csónakázó-tó park loop
A meadow-edge out-and-back for 60–90 minutes; a cross-border coffee ride on low-traffic roads; or a gentle forest road loop if the surface is dry.
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Good practice
Wear a helmet. Use lights at dusk. Slow down for walkers and horses. Avoid wet singletrack to protect trails. Carry a spare tube and a mini pump.
Lakes and swims
In summer, small lakes and swim spots are good for a quick dip and a short sit in the shade.
What to check
Local rules, designated areas, and recent weather. Avoid steep muddy banks, slippery rocks, and unknown depths. Enter slowly; watch footing.
Pack
Towel, sandals, a dry shirt, a small trash bag. Leave no trace.
Simple food and essentials
You’ll find pizza, classic Hungarian plates, and family cafés. Many visitors self-cater breakfast and carry trail snacks.
How to eat well with low effort
Buy fresh bread in the morning, a couple of local staples, and fruit. For dinner, choose a nearby, well-reviewed spot or keep it simple and cook. Hours can shorten off-season—check on the same day.
Useful stops
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Portré Étterem - seasonal Hungarian dishes on the main square. Book for dinner.
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Bécsi kapu Étterem – classic soups, stews, daily menus; easy parking by the gate.
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Kék Huszár VendéglÅ‘ – traditional fare and grilled plates; relaxed, family-friendly.
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Ibrahim Kávézó, Étterem & Fagylaltozó – coffee, cakes, light meals with terrace on FÅ‘ tér.
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Várpark Cukrászda & Kávézó – cakes and coffee near the castle park for an afternoon stop.
If it rains
Swap your sunrise loop for a spa block. Between showers, walk a short village heritage route or a flat forest lane. Read a book, play a board game, or journal. Pack a compact umbrella and a warm layer. Wet leaves and roots are slick; shorten your loop and slow down.
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Pack light for 48 hours
Trail shoes; light rain jacket; warm layer; daypack; water and snacks; swimwear, flip-flops, towel; phone and power bank; offline maps; ID, card, health card. Optional: headlamp, trekking poles, small journal. Respect quiet hours after dark.
Trail etiquette
Stay on marked paths. Step aside kindly on narrow sections. Keep voices low; wildlife lives here. Pack out all rubbish. Do not light fires. Dogs on leads near farms and grazing. Close gates. Follow posted rules without exceptions.
GPX on your phone (offline)
Open the trail in your app, download the GPX, and enable offline maps before you go.
