Twenty-four circles. What an unusual name for a hill. Don’t you think? We stand before Huszonnégyökörös-hegy in Budapest. Its very name whispers of legends. Of bets and triumphs. Of ancient journeys.
Huszonnégyökörös-hegy is part of the Buda Hills a smaller range within the larger Budai-hegység. It’s the westernmost peak of the Csúki-hegyek reaching a height of 288 meters. It’s a dramatic sight a rocky outcrop descending sharply into the valley below. For a long time people couldn’t climb it. A military base was located at its foot. Today a yellow marked trail leads to the summit offering breathtaking views. The Budakeszi-Árok stream flows at its base.
Two legends explain its curious name. One tells of a daring butcher. He wagered he could run from the base to the summit of Huszonnégyökörös-hegy in one go. His reward? Twenty-four oxen. He won. He reached the peak but died of exhaustion. The other story speaks of the Turks. They hauled their cannons up this very hill using twenty-four oxen. Twenty-four circles. Twenty-four oxen. Two very different stories. Two explanations for the same intriguing name.
The views from the top are magnificent. You can see far across the landscape. Look closely. You can see Biatorbágy in the distance. You can even make out the Szecsenyi-hegy on a clear day. The panorama is truly rewarding for the climb.
The climb itself is quite an adventure. The trail is not for the faint of heart. Parts of it are steep and rocky. But it is worth it. You pass through forests and across open slopes. The yellow trail is your guide. It helps you navigate through the landscape.
Huszonnégyökörös-hegy is more than just a hill. It’s a place steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. It’s a reminder of the rich tapestry of stories that lie beneath the surface of Budapest. A reminder of the past etched into the very landscape we explore. It is a place of legends and of beauty. A place you won’t soon forget.