Thankfully hiking is an activity that basically everybody can do. It doesn’t matter if you’re old or young, boy or girl, or what your background is – nature welcomes you with open arms. You can hike alone if you’re not feeling up for company, or you can bring some friends and family along. Hiking can also be a networking event, if you’re interested in meeting new people, join us at Budapest Hikers!

The wilderness

It feels incredible to break the rhythm of our everyday life by bringing some color into it. Nature’s color palette includes the calming colors, such as green, blue, brown, which can have a positive effect on our mind – and we all know that everything starts with the mind. Relaxing, de-stressing, uplifting (and we could bring more -ing adjectives) – that is all nature. Chances are you will also meet other hikers, and forest animals, that you can geek out about.

Get active

Let’s burn some fat! Hiking allows you to get rid of those extra calories that came with the morning doughnut (that you probably shouldn’t have eaten anyway). Walking is natural – most of us have known how to walk since the age of 2 (and I highlight, MOST of us). Why not give a basic activity meaning, so that we can take care of our body?

The weather

Let’s suppose, it’s sunny outside, and you – by some unexplainable chance – are free. Hooray, go hiking! The sun will recharge your batteries, nature will put you in a relaxed and open-minded state, so I don’t see why you shouldn’t leave the house right away. Here’s something more difficult: Let’s suppose, you want to go hiking but it’s raining. No worries! Have you ever tried hiking in the rain?! Yes, it’s wet. Yes, you might catch a cold. Yes, it’s not as nice as a walk on a sunny day. But if you don’t go, you might just miss the opportunity to have an adventure of a lifetime. At least once in our lives, we MUST try hiking in the rain.

What happens after?

Yes! I did it! – That’s what happens after (in the short version). Pride and satisfaction will guide you through the rest of the day/week and you will be able to face the problems (which will not look like problems after all) much easier. The next time, it will be easier as well, so don’t just sit around for a miracle to happen, join Budapest Hikers!

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Nude hiking

Yes, you read that right. Nude hiking is an activity preferred by actually a lot of people from all around the world. Considering that it also has an unofficial annual celebration (June 21 – Unofficial Naked Hiking Day) I’d say it’s a very popular form of exploring the forests and the national parks. If you want to have a fun day, leave your clothes at home, and hit the road (or hiking trail), but please, avoid children! I guarantee, that this will be the day you won’t ever forget (probably because someone will call the cops on you).

Llama hiking

Basically, llama hiking means nothing more than being accompanied by a llama while hiking. Llamas are quite friendly and make a good hiking buddy. They are very good listeners and won’t disagree with you on any matter. If you’re bored with your dog, just buy a llama to hike with – it will definitely add some new colors to your life. Also a great way to get the children out of the house – parents say that children are more willing to go hiking when a llama is involved as well.

Glacier hiking

I mean, why not?! What’s the fun in the good ol’ forest anymore? Let’s just start pushing the limits and experience something truly awesome. Glacier hiking is a very serious business though – you need to have special knowledge and buy some fancy equipment if you want to engage in this kind of activity. From one day to the next you won’t become a glacier hiker. Plus, you probably won’t become a glacier hiker master in Hungary either.

Mental hiking

That is something everyone can do. The absolute barrier-free, non-discriminating way of hiking happens in your own head. It all depends on you, how, where, when and with whom you hike. So, take the imagination-train to Neverland and explore the wilderness with all its elements! You won’t get any fitter from it though.

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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.

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!

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What are the best hiking places?

There are many beautiful hiking locations surrounding Budapest, many even within a short commute using public transport. Just an hour outside the city via bus are the stunning Pillis mountains which offer many trails to choose from varying in difficulty from easy to a little more challenging depending on your own levels of fitness.

Our personal favourite hiking trail in the Pilis mountains contain a spectacular view of the Danube Bend, one of the most beautiful views within the Budapest borders.

Only 90 minutes outside of Budapest on the train is Börzsöny which contains Nagy Hideg-hegy (Big Cold Mountain) which is the second highest peak in Hungary! Hiking in Börzsöny is a little tougher than the Pilis mountains but the views are worth it and the trails are very well organised and signposted. Hiking in Budapest is not just for the summer either! The experience of hiking up a mountain in December with a sprinkling of snow for festive cheer or a misty fog to add atmosphere can be some of the most beautiful and inspiring hikes you’ll ever do.

How to get there?

Thankfully, there are many different ways that you can get to these locations and you can choose whichever method best suits you. There is a fantastic public transport network in Budapest which will quickly, and easily get you from one place to the other.

If public transport isn’t your thing then there are plenty of car rental businesses in the city and you can have a much more private hike with just yourself, friends or loved ones.

Finally, if like us you’re a bit of a social butterfly you could join us at one of our hikes or camps and experience the beauty of Budapest and Hungary alongside an International community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re not yet persuaded, below are a few pictures taken from previous events.

If you’re now sold on the idea of Hiking in Budapest and want to join a Budapest Hikers event we’ve been helpful and placed a link to an upcoming event just to the right. We would love to meet you, so come and say hello!

We organise many events such as monthly hikes, each one discovering a new trail with new challenges and views. We also organise camps with a focus on hikes and other outdoor activities where you get to spend more time getting to know us and the community.

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