The best places to run in Hungary – A legjobb futóhelyek Magyarországon

Hungary is rich in natural beauty and historical sites in many cities, offering the best of both worlds for runners. Let’s explore the most popular running trails and areas perfect to break in your new running shoes!

Budapest city centre

Budapest is without a doubt one of the best places to run in Hungary since all the best places are centrally located. The highlight of the city is Margaret Island, which needs no introduction, a small paradise island in the middle of the capital city. Surrounded by the Danube, the island offers a 5.3 km rubberized running track along with a beautiful view over the city and the river. There are also excellent running tracks in many parks in Budapest including Városliget, Bikás Park and Orczy Park. The roughly 800-metre-long running track of Bikás Park is one of the most popular routes to run in Buda, thanks to the park’s easy accessibility. Free outdoor gyms are great for warming up or winding down. 

The popular Holdudvar Park in Óbuda is one of the many newly built or renovated running tracks in the city. The classic residential park offers a place for the new park which is now bigger and more improved. The park includes a big playground, street workout equipment and ping pong tables all surrounded by a 450-metre running track.

For some challenge and uphill tracks, head to Gellért Hill in Buda and run up to the Citadella or enjoy Normafa Park with its many trees and wonderful greenery. Normafa is not only one of the capital’s most popular places for hiking but also an ideal place for sportsmen and women to get some exercise. The 2,040 metre long Tartan (polyurethane) track from Jánoshegyi Road to the lookout is ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy running in clean air, away from the noise of the city. 

Balaton Uplands National Park 

Running in the Balaton Uplands is one of the best ways to explore this region. The national park offers the most beautiful places to run with different routes to take depending on fitness level and preferred paths. One popular running track near Lake Balaton is the Tihany – Aszófő loop. This is an expert run route, so very good fitness is required. Completing the run takes around two hours, but the view and the magical Tihany atmosphere will be surely worth it! 

Lake Velence

Lake Velence is within easy reach from the capital city and has a well-designed cycling path perfect and safe for runners to use as well. The classic Velence loop is about 28 km long. There are numerous monuments and lookouts at several points along the route, which makes the run even more interesting and fun. The route is almost entirely flat with minor climbs and a total elevation gain of 161 metres. As the summer days approach and days get hotter, runners can end their route with a swim in the lake to refresh. 

Tata Öreg Lake

Generally considered an easy route, the Tata Öreg Lake Loop is a roughly 7 km long trail. It is a popular trail for birding, trail running or walking. The trail is open year-round and is a peaceful and beautiful lakeside to visit anytime. The total elevation gain is around 102 metres, so the trail is perfect for less-trained runners. The trail is kid and stroller friendly, so even families can run the loop on a sunny afternoon. The route offers runners beautiful views and historic sites around, so slower runners will enjoy every metre of the trail. 

Three Border Mountain

Not only joggers but even top athletes swear by and train regularly on the Three Border Mountain (Hármashatár-hegy) tracks. Orienteers and triathletes and more and more casual runners choose the mountain, as it has many great qualities, including its proximity to the city. In the mornings and early afternoons, many people run alone to enjoy the less busy time on the trails. After work hours, many go for a run there to release the stress from the day. On the weekends, the trail gets popular with elder walkers, Nordic walkers, hikers and families, but there’s always enough place for runners to enjoy nature as well. 

Orfű Lake, Pécs

Many people around Pécs are surely familiar with the 6-kilometre long route around the lake of Orfű. The exciting, hilly road is lit at night with solar lights, so it is a pleasant route all day around. Every 500 metres, encouraging signs motivate runners to keep jogging while also telling them where they are on the route. The starting point of the track is on the south side of the lake, near a minigolf course, and the lake is surrounded by the picturesque hills of Mecsek.