Budapest Danube/Buda Hills Running Route

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Length 12 km (7.5 mi), terrain: as the name says, hilly!, gain of 243 meters

NOTE: You can save 2km and the steep climb up Gellért Hill by crossing the Elizabeth Bridge and running directly to Buda Castle.

I didn't have a camera with me when I ran this, so I used pictures from Google Maps Street View. Thanks Google!

In most European cities, you can't go wrong running along the riverfront. Budapest is another of those towns, and it has the advantage of lining the majestic Danube. And even better, many of the city's best sights are located at, or just off, the river, and among the neighboring hills.

Danube view from the Buda Palace

The Danube, powerfully flowing through and separating Buda (with its hilltop castles and old town) from Pest (on the east side, with the downtown) is lined by historic, stunning buildings and crossed by one of the world's most scenic bridges. You'll run by the gothic fairy-tale of the Parliament building, climb up two hills, through castle ramparts to a fortress and to the huge old Habsburg palace, and end up crossing a quiet garden of an island.

My first trip to Budapest was in the 1990s, not long after the Iron Curtain came down, and much of the city was still waiting to come back to life after 50 years of neglect. Almost all the facades in the Terézváros and Erzsébetváros sections of the new-town (okay, it was new in the 1800s) were half crumbled-off, and when I wandered into apartment courtyards I'd be surrounded by a forest of pine logs that were provisionally jammed up under the wooden walkways above to keep them from collapsing into the yard.

Now the city has moved on and rejuvenated itself, and it is no longer a sad echo of its elegant old self. The same neighborhoods which were once decayed ruins are now pulsing with life, full of shops and restaurants. Although there are still lots of crumbling facades, they just add a funky flavor to a vibrant mix.

NOTE: Just a notice about running along the Danube: the riverside isn't exactly pedestrian-friendly. On the eastern shore (downtown), a tram-railway parallels the river, along with a street. Sometimes the best place to run (quieter, greener) is a bit away from the river, on the far side of the railway. And sometimes it's better on the river-side of the railway. And at other times it's better run right next to the water. But there are sections where the waterside sidewalks disappear and you have to cross back across the street. No big problem: just take the sidewalk that appeals to you best for that section of the river. I like boats, so I try to stay at the water's edge as much as possible. On the Buda side of the river, there is also a tram-railway, and a road hugs the riverside for the whole way, so you have to take the sidewalk between the tram tracks and the river road, following the tree-line. Good thing that we're up visiting the hills for most of that side of the river!

So let's head out to discover some of the nicest parts of town, down by the Danube and up into the Buda hills. We'll start the run at Szabadság tér (Liberty Square), just a couple of blocks east of the river, in the Lipótváros neighborhood, the downtown. Standing there at the Soviet war memorial, the square is surrounded by elegant bank headquarters buildings.

Liberty Square, start of run

To get moving, leave the square to the northwest, along Vécsey utca (utca is, of course, "street").  This takes you in one block to the square behind the stunning, gothic Hungarian Parliament building. 

At the Parliament

Now turn left and run along Kossuth Lajos tér (tér means "square") to the river, a block to the west. There are zebra-stripes to cross the busy shore road, "Id. Antall József rkp." This is one of the few easy spots to get to the water, as the railroad tracks run underground at the parliament and don't block the way here.

So now we turn south and enjoy the Danube riverside.

Shoes along the Danube

In just a block, you'll pass a sculpture of metal shoes lining the shore. This marks the spot where some unlucky very Hungarian Jews were executed and pushed into the river by fascists during the last phase of World War II, just as the Soviets were about to enter the city and liberate them.

Continuing, this is one of the nicest parts of the riverside, with bushes and trees, a bit away from the street. You can see the two hills across the river in Buda, where we'll run on the way back.

The eastern shore, with view of Buda Castle

In a few blocks, at the 1-kilometer mark, we'll come to a main highlight of the run, the chain bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd), a 180-year-old monument to the technology of the industrial revolution. If the chains look familiar, maybe it's because there are similar ones on the Tower Bridge in London. Little wonder, because it was a British engineer, Clark Adam, who designed this beautiful bridge. I like to run out to the middle of the bridge, to view it up closer, and to get a great view of the river. You might want to try it. Then run back to the Pest shore to continue running southwards.

Chain Bridge with Buda Castle to left

You can see the domed roof of the castle, the old Habsburg palace on the hilltop directly across the river.

The shore road now changes its name to Jane Haining rkp., and the nice riverside walkway gives way to a narrow strip between the street guardrail and the water's edge, with lots of riverboats tied up here. There is a nicer sidewalk with some parkland off to the left, on the far side of the train tracks, if you prefer.

We'll then go under a modern suspension bridge, the Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd) and keep heading south.

View to Gellert Hill

We're now passing the second hill (Gellert Hill), even higher than the first, across the river. You can see the massive fortress perched on its ridge, and the freedom monument rising above it. The fort was built by the Habsburg kaiser following the 1848 revolution, to prevent further uprisings in Budapest.

After passing more riverboat docks, at the 3-kilometer mark, you'll approach the beautiful Liberty Bridge (Szabadság Híd), another Nineteenth Century iron bridge.

This is as far south as we'll go: we'll cross over to the Buda side now. But before we do, notice the palace just south of the bridge containing the Corvinus University. And behind it is another beautiful Victorian-era structure, the iron-and-glass market hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok). Make sure you take the time to wander around it and its hundreds of interest little stands while you're in Budapest!

Crossing Liberty Bridge, Gellert Hill to right

Take a look at all the ornate ironwork on the bridge as you cross, crowned with mythic turul birds on the towers.

As we approach the other side, you can see the cliffs, topped by a cross on the south end of Gellért Hill. That will be our first sight on the run up the hill. And notice to the left, the huge, palace-like Hotel Gellért and its beautiful baths elegantly gracing the riverside.

Cross the riverside road and the tram tracks at the zebra stripes and continue straight up the ramp-like sidewalk under the cliffs to your right. We'll be heading uphill for a while (a 120-meter gain), from now on! The whole hill is full of zig-zagging trails, and it really doesn't matter much which ones you take, as long as you keep going upwards to the Citadella (fort) at the top.

At the next junction turn right to run a few steps to the chapel built into the caves in the cliff face. This was once the home of a hermit monk who treated people with healing spring water from the cave. Later, a chapel was built there, and a real bath.

Gellert Hill trail

But we're just looking from the outside, so now turn around and run back a few steps until the first trail going uphill to the right. The hill provides a refreshing dip into nature: it's wooded, and we'll stay on the steep side overlooking the river as it heads uphill. Mostly, the trails are paved ramps, but in some spots there are steps. In the steeper spots, I just switch to walking, which is still workout enough for me.

There are occasional spots with viewpoints along the way, which are good chances to catch your breath.

When you finally reach the southeast corner of the Citadella, you'll enter a paved terrace with a Hungarian freedom monument. There are also great views to every side here.

Freedom Monument at the Citadella

Now continue along the flat trail behind the monument and to the right, following the north wall of the fortress. Outside the main entrance, there are stands set up selling food, drink and souvenirs. You have to buy tickets to go inside the fort.

Main Gate at the Citadella

After a last look out from this great viewpoint, take the steps down, across from the main fort entrance, and then the path to the right. This runs into the Citadella Lejtó trail, where you turn left and follow it all the way down the hill to the river at the Elizabeth Bridge.

There are a few roads coming together there, you need to take the zebra stripes over to Döbrentei Square, a circular park with a statue of Empress Elizabeth (the ever-popular Sissi). This is the 5-kilometer-mark, and we're next to the river road.

Now exit the park to the north, running under the overpass, cross the tram tracks and a street and continuing straight into Döbrentei utca.

We now run north, past a few little museums and hotels, and cross Ybl Miklós ter at the History Museum, with some statues of World War I soldiers out front.

Continue north along the ornate walls of the castle gardens. We're almost ready to head up the second (and last) hill to the palaces and the old town of Buda on the top. Luckily, this hill isn't very high.

The Palace Bazaar: head through that archway!

When you come to the Várkert Bazár (castle garden bazaar), turn left to run through its ornate archway to take the trail zig-zagging up the hill through the gardens. This is the 6-kilometer-mark, half-way home. This uphill section isn't so steep and only gains 60 meters.

Keep to the left as you run uphill below a little round fort, the Rondella. When you can get a good view of the fort, take the path going straight up to it, then keep on the path to the left.

Way into the palace walls

You'll run through a gate in the castle wall next to the round tower, and find yourself in a courtyard next to the National Library. Now turn right and run out the other gate in the wall, and then follow the path to the left as it follows the outside of the castle wall.

This will take you right up to the courtyard in front of Buda Castle, a spectacular palace where the Habsburg kaisers resided when they were in Budapest in their role as Kings of Hungary. The palace was badly damaged during World War II, and it was rebuilt in a simplified style. There are various museums and libraries in the buildings nowadays. The place looks magical all lit up in the evenings.

Terrace in front of palace

So now, while we're up here on the hilltop, we'll want to explore some of the inspiring scenery in the nearby old town.

So continue running northward, past the main palace, quickly coming to the next one, Sandor Palace, still used by the Hungarian government as residence of the Hungarian President. There is an hourly changing of the guards, which you might see if you're there at the right time (on the hour, until 5 p.m.).

Sandor Presidential Palace, with guards

Now continue northwards and into Disz ter in the old town, following this street past the old houses and get a feel for this charming hilltop town.

In a couple of blocks you'll come to the beautiful Gothic St. Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), a church which has been built and rebuilt for ages. We'll now loop through the next neighborhood to come back here in a few minutes.

St. Matthias with Holy Trinity column

At the baroque Holy Trinity statue (erected to commemorate the ending of the plague, run northwest along narrow Országház utca, lined with old homes and mansions.

When you come to the ruins of Mary Magdalena Church (a former Franciscan monastery, bombed-out in the war), turn right onto Nándor utca. Then, at the National Archives, take the next right to follow beautiful Fortuna utca. (or equally nice Miháli utca) back to St. Matthias.

Fortuna Street in the Old Town of Buda

At St. Matthias, turn left and run to the back side of the church for another amazing sight: the Fishermen's Bastion (Halászbástya). This fanciful lookout with turreted ramparts was built in 1900 to celebrate 1,000 years of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Fishermen's Bastion

So now let's head downhill again, and back to the Danube. Take the exit through one of the two archways behind the church and go down the steps to the little street below. Continue with the steps crossing the grassy traffic island, then turn left onto Szabó Ilonka utca, heading downhill.

Continue for two blocks, past the yellow Catholic Gymnasium (high school), and then take the Franklin utca steps downward to the right. These end at the next cross-street, Iskola utca. Now turn left and run past a few lively pubs and restaurants, to turn right onto Markovits Iván utca.

Now run the block to Batthyány Square at the river, with the baroque St. Anna Church. This is the 9-km-mark.

Now we just cross the tram tracks at the zebra-stripes, and turn left to head north along the river again. The beautiful facade of the parliament building is right across the river.

Along the western shore, heading north

This is a nice sidewalk for pedestrians and bikes, raised up a bit over the river road to the right, Angelo Rotta rkp. The direct riverside isn't so great for running: it's often parked full with cars or you have to climb over guardrails and avoid ship bollards blocking the way.

Now just run one kilometer north to the Margaret Bridge (Margit Híd), turn right to cross the river, and we are almost home again.

Crossing Margaret Bridge, rest of run continues to right

We pass the southern tip of Margaret Island when we cross. That is a really nice, pleasant, short, flat run. Try out the Margaret Island Running Route here!

When you reach the east side of the Danube, turn right and run the few blocks south past the parliament. Run past the building to the spot where we first came to the river, then turn left, cross the zebra-stripes again and run back to Liberty Square, where we started.

It was a long, hard run, but I'm sure it was like none other in your whole life. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Budapest!