• Starting point: If you're arriving by car, you can conveniently start your hike on the outskirts of Szandaváralja, near the bus turnaround, where parking is hassle-free.

• Energy boost and stamp collecting: Join the National Blue Trail route! At the last house of the village, the legendary Vásár-fia buffet is a must-stop: here, you can not only collect the Blue Trail stamp for your booklet but also fuel up for the climb with the area's most famous fantastic potato pancake, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

• Head for the summit! Follow the blue stripe marker all the way to the base of Várhegy. Here, the Blue Trail diverges, and from this point, you need to follow the Blue L (castle) marker, which leads directly to the medieval castle ruins built on volcanic rocks.

Tip for families with young children: This hike is an excellent weekend activity even with smaller kids, but the hillside does feature a few steeper, more challenging sections. It's worth arriving in comfortable hiking shoes and taking short breathers on the steeper parts!