We thought that a fun game where the hikers were given facepaints and given the challenge of making the most creative artwork and taking adventurous pictures during the hike and uploading it to Instagram with the #budapesthikers hashtag. To motivate their creativity, we offered the lucky winner a free ticket to the next Budapest Hikers, hike!

The winner of the face painting competition:

The first part of the hike was the hardest section with some pretty long, steep climbs. Despite this, we always find that the motivation of food and beers at the top motivate everybody to keep going and hike with a smile (and a little bit of drool). At our next hike on 29th April we are going to conquer the highest peak of Hungary standing proud at #1014 metres tall!

If you would like to join us then please reserve your ticket here.

It is going to be awesome! We promise!

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Chasing spring by a hike in Pilis

We weren’t the only ones who missed the warm weather as over 100 hikers decided to join us and make the most of the newly returned weather!

Budapest Hikers is a community where everyone is welcome to join us for hikes… including our four legged friends! For this hike we had 3 adorable dogs join us and brighten up our day a little more with their excited bouncing around and seemingly endless energy. I think that I can say on everyone’s behalf, that by the end of the hike we had fallen totally in love with them. Even if we were a little jealous of the amount of energy that they had! Our hikes usually consist of 3 main parts: the first is where everyone gets to know each other and we normally warm up before tackling the harder hills of the day. Following this we take a lunch break, have a beer or two and talk, play some games and relax.

Hike part 2

We all know how good a beer can feel after a few hard kilometers up hill! After this we normally take a much easier trail back down the mountain where we get on our private coach and travel back to the city of Budapest for a well earned Burger & some beers! Budapest Hikers is not just about hiking, but meeting new people, socialising, having great conversations and enjoying being in the forest together. Our events are half exercise & hiking an the other half connecting and having fun! We always have a nice mix of local Hungarians, expats, nomads, travellers and erasmus students. At such a big event It wasn’t easy to fit everyone in one picture, but we did it! This is how 100 hikers look together. Such an awesome bunch of people, huh?

Now you are probably wondering how you can join us. Our next event is going to be on the 1st April. RSVP on Facebook or on Meetup and get your ticket in time to make sure that you don’t miss out our next hike!

The post Budapest Hikers: Hike in Pilis – #spingishere appeared first on Budapest Hikers.

What is ISAB?

ISAB means International Sport Association of Budapest. They are a group of young and enthusiastic sport lovers. Their mission is to show and teach this love to everyone. When we asked, why are you guys doing that? They answered: because we like sport, we mostly do it for ourselves and it is nice if others join us.
They provide regular events like rock climbing, football, yoga and a lot more.

The primary goal of the organization is to promote sport participation and physical activity among internationals living in Budapest through the organization and implementation of leisure time sport activities. The secondary goal of the organization is to connect local sport clubs and grassroots sport initiatives with internationals and to provide information about sport related events that take place in the Hungarian capital and elsewhere in the country.

The post Did we just become best friends? ISAB cooperation with Budapest Hikers appeared first on Budapest Hikers.

To join the Facebook event and to invite your friends click HERE.

7k Mini Hike

The 7K mini spring hike is the option for those who want to spend more time at camp or want to hike a shorter distance. We start at the camp and walk slowly up to Mátraháza where you can spend some time looking for souvenirs, have a break and get to know each other.

After this break we walk towards ‘little death’ which is a not so little hill that once conquered will divulge the full meaning of ‘death’ in its name. This isn’t so steep that it requires special equipment or training but believe us when we say it is tough. At the very top of little death is the highest point of Hungary with rewarding views, restaurants and souvernirs.

Once your sightseeing is complete there will be a coach waiting to transport you comfortable back down to the camp where you can relax, play games or go on another walk and explore for yourself

Intermediate Hike

The 15K hike follows the same path as our Mini Hike and will have a break at the top of Kékestető for lunch and sightseeing. After this you will follow a separate route back down the mountain where you will see some amazing views and take in the beauty that Mátra has to offer

Advanced Spring Hike

Make no mistake, the 25k hike is tough! The path can be very steep at times and is a technical challenge. If the weather is really bad this hike may not go ahead due to safety and timing reasons. There are 3 different peaks to scale, all with amazing views.

You will follow the same path as the other hikes, up ‘little death’ to the peak of Kékesteto and then follow on to more peaks. One of which contains a lookout tower designed by a famous Hungarian architect. The views of both the tower & the surrounding area are stunning and when you return to camp you will have definitely earned a beer & a full meal!

If you are interested in our upcoming hikes, check out this page.

The post A choice of 3 hikes at the Spring Activity Retreat appeared first on Budapest Hikers.

1. Wooden hut

This is the fanciest and most comfortable option which can accommodate 5 or 10 people in one hut. It has a seperated kitchen and bathroom. If you come with friends, we can arrange that you can share the same hut. In case you come alone, it is an amazing way to make new good friends.

2. Motel

The Motel is a big house with a lot of rooms. One room can accommodate 4 hikers. There are seperated bathrooms for men and women. Unlike the wooden hut, it doesn’t have a kitchen, but it does have two big fridges, in case you would like to bring food & drinks with you.

3. Tent

If you think that comfort is overrated and prefer the wild instead of sleeping in a normal bed, then this option is for you. Don’t worry, you can still check your facebook status and upload the awesome pictures you took during the hike, because there is wifi and electricity even for the tent option. There is a bathroom with toilettes right next to the pitches. If you choose this option, make sure to bring your own tent & sleeping bag.

Which one to choose?

Well, it depends only on you. Every accomodation has its upsides and downsides. If you prefer something more private and comfortable, choose the wooden house. If you are a person who enjoy being surrounded by more people, then maybe the motel is for you. But if you want to go wild and be a badass, don’t miss to choose the tent. If you are still uncertain, have a look at our upcoming hikes here and you get gather ideas or join us for another adventure.

The post 3 awesome accommodation for the Budapest Hikers spring retreat appeared first on Budapest Hikers.

No, Budapest Hikers is about much more than hiking. We’re a vibrant International community that encourage our members to socialise together, go outside and be active. We don’t just limit ourselves to hiking and we’re always trying to think of new ways to enjoy the nature and spend time with the amazing Budapest community.

How we got the idea of organizing the camp?

We love our hikes and we were thinking that it would be great if we could get to know you all better. What would be better than 1 day spent in the nature? 2 days of course! We were reminiscing about those good old camps from our younger years and then we realized, we can actually organise a joint hiking & camping event with the fantastic Budapest Hikers community.

The camp to beat all camps!

The Budapest Hikers camp is not just about hiking. We want this event to be so much fun and to be whatever you want it to be. For that reason we’re providing a flexible schedule that you can pick and choose events from. We’re organising 3 different levels of hikes so that you can spend as long or as little time hiking as you like! While you’re not hiking there will be lots of fun and games back at camp such as ultimate frisbee, handball, football and lots more too!

In the evening we will have a well earned rest and have some food and drink together and continue to get to know each other well into the night! The following morning there is a swimming pool to splash some energy back into yourself and we will have some more games during the day before we travel home in the evening.

We also have some of the fantastic ISAB (International Sports Association of Budapest) team assisting us with the events so you know that you’re in very capable (and friendly!) hands.

Who can join?

Anyone can join! There are so many options available to you that you can join us and participate however you like. We love meeting new people so if you’re not yet a member of our friendly community then please do introduce yourself!

Seriously, you should definitely join us!

1. We are pretty awesome.
2. You are awesome too!
3. Meet new people
4. Be active
5. See the highest point in Hungary!

See you there!

The post Budapest Hikers Activity Camp – Join us! appeared first on Budapest Hikers.

What could be better than a whole date spent with just you and your Bae <3, surrounded by the beauty of nature and fresh air that you only get away from the noisy, car filled city. Take advantage of the many romantic situations mother nature provides such as keeping each other warm whilst enjoying the breathtaking views atop a windy mountain or taking a deep breath and going for that all important first kiss in front of a majestic waterfall.

1. Beauty

When hiking outside in the grace of nature, everything seems to be more beautiful. Even this guy below would have a chance of doing well on a date surrounded by so much green!

2. Lots to talk about

There are always plenty of conversation topics thanks to the inspirational environment of hiking. Even if you have nothing to say for a short while, you have the excuse of enjoying the view or catching your breath after a tough climb.

3. Common aim

Hiking brings people together. It is a well known fact that fighting adversity together is a great way to form emotional bonds, just think Bonnie & Clyde and you get the idea! Believe us, half way through a climb you’ll band together and fight for each other to make it to the top.

4. Selfies & Pictures

The forest is the best spot to take amazing selfies and pictures. Take advantage of the beautiful, adventurous backgrounds, smiling faces and good moods to boost the number of likes on your latest profile picture. No longer will you need to rely on Instagram filters to make your pictures look good!

We all know that the basis of a modern relationship is the quality of selfies they are taking together. We assure you, the forest can help to handle this matter. Don’t believe us, check out this guy:

5. Romantic moments

So, I bet you’re sold on how romantic hiking can be but we’re not finished yet! After a hike you’re both bound to be a little tired from your adventures and if you’ve still not made a move, there is no better opportunity to get closer than on the journey home. Your partner might cuddle up to you or fall asleep on your shoulder and you can relax all the way home.

Now that you know the secret to the perfect date, pack a picnic, chill some wine and finally ask her/him to join you for one of the best dates you’ll both have.

The post Hiking Dates – 5 reasons why they’re the best appeared first on Budapest Hikers.