Think of colorful meadows nestled between forests. This is Harang-völgy. It is a valley in Budapest. Harang-völgy lies in the Buda Hills. You can find it in the XII district. The valley is a narrow steep-sided area. It runs north as a continuation of the Normafa slope.
Harangvölgyi Road runs along the valley’s lower part. Mária-völgy is its continuation. Zugligeti Road runs through Mária-völgy. Since the 1940s, this winding valley has been a ski slope. Sledders also enjoy it in winter.
The area has diverse wildlife. Butterflies deserve special mention. Striped blues are a rarity here. Mosaic mowing helps to preserve wildlife. This is because many tourists disturb the animals.
Now I will tell you how to get there. The easiest way to reach Harang-völgy by public transport is with bus 155 from Széll Kálmán Square to Zugligeti Road. The outer terminus is at the foot of Harang-völgy. It is at the junction of Zugligeti Road and Kútvölgyi Road. The upper sections of the valley are not accessible by public transport. You can only reach them by walking from the buses in the area of Istenhegyi Road. You could also walk from the services that serve the Normafa area like bus 21. The Cogwheel Railway and the Children’s Railway are also options.
Harang-völgy boasts the most beautiful flora in Budapest. The valley has a long sporting history. It has been a ski run since the late 1940s. The area is now mainly for nature walks. This helps to preserve the many protected plant species.
From spring to autumn, the plant life changes. The mowing is done in a mosaic pattern. Some sections are mown only once a year. Walkers marvel at the colorful plants. Visitors return to see the changing colors of the trees and hills every season. You can see Erzsébet lookout on János Hill from the valley’s upper section.
Meadows hide between the woods on both sides. These forest steppes are maintained by clearing and mowing. They are Harang-völgy’s most important habitats from a nature conservation point of view. They are home to the striped blue butterfly. This species is endangered in Hungary. It now only occurs in the middle and lower sections of Harang-völgy.
Mosaic mowing protects this rare butterfly. It preserves its food plant. It also protects the soil surface. Dew formation occurs even in the hottest summers. Ants also benefit from this. They guard the caterpillars that feed at night. Such complex relationships exist between living things.
Before the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century, there was significant viticulture in the area. The valley may be named after a pub called “Harang.” This pub sold locally produced wines. Besides winter sports, the beautiful landscape attracts hikers. Runners and cyclists visit every season. This has helped prevent construction. However, these activities threaten many protected species. Look out for the многоtérdű salamonpecsét flower. Also watch for színeváltozó kutyatej, barkócaberkenye, mezei zsálya, erdei szellőrózsa and csattogó eper.
So next time you are looking for a place to escape the city. Remember Harang-völgy. It is a place where nature and recreation meet.