Tour de Matra

Date
Friday 29.05.2026 - 31.05.2026
Distances
83 - 150 km
City
Gyöngyös
Country
Hungary
Website Contact

Tour de Matra is a granfondo that started as local event in 2009 and steadily grew towards an international event with live broadcast on Eurosport Hungary and part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series for the first time in 2026.

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GRANFONDO

Tour de Matra is a challenging race taking place in the Matra Mountains in Northern Hungary.

This region is famous for its scenic landscapes and Hungary’s highest peak, Kékestető (1014 m). 

There are two distances

  • Mediofondo : 83km 
  • Granfondo : 150km

The mediofondo distance is the official qualifier distance for all men over 60 and women over 50 while the granfondo distance qualifies all younger age categories.

After the start in the city center of Gyongyos, riders head out of town on a 4km road where they connect with a 67km circuit to be done once (mediofondo) or twice (granfondo) before turning right towards the Kekesteto climb where the finish is located.

PROFILE

With 2542 metres and 1661 metres of elevation gain respectively, this is a demanding race.

Riders begin with a 12 km ascent to the first summit at 710 metres above sea level, covering 500 metres of climbing. Granfondo participants tackle this same climb again halfway through the course. The finish, which all riders must complete, turns right at the top of that initial climb for an additional 4 km uphill, reaching just over 1000 metres in elevation.

The climb averages a gradient of 4.3%, but the finale is tougher, with the last 4 km averaging 7.3% and peaking at 8.7%.

Between these two climbs for the mediofondo and three for the granfondo, the eastern section of the route is relatively flat, featuring gentle rolling hills.

GYONGYOS

Gyöngyös lies in Heves County, about 80 km northeast of Budapest, at the southern foothills of the Mátra Mountains. It sits at a transition zone between the Great Hungarian Plain and the North Hungarian Mountains, making it a strategic hub for trade and tourism. The town is crossed by the Gyöngyös Creek and surrounded by gentle hills leading up to the rugged Mátra range.
 

Attractions: 

  • Mátra Museum in the Orczy Mansion – exhibits natural history and local heritage.
  • Historic Churches – St. Bartholomew and Franciscan Church.
  • Wine Region – Gyöngyös is famous for its white wines from the Mátra foothills.
  • Outdoor Activities – Narrow-gauge forest railway to the mountains, hiking, and cycling routes.

KEKESTETO MOUNTAIN

Kékestető stands at 1,014 m, making it the highest point in Hungary. It is part of the Mátra range, located about 18 km north of Gyöngyös. The name means “Bluish Top” in Hungarian, referring to the mountain’s bluish hue.

Significance:

  • Declared a climatic health resort in 1963 due to its clean air and therapeutic climate.
  • A major tourist attraction, ranking third in Hungary after Lake Balaton and the Danube.
  • Historically, a wooden watchtower was built in 1889; later replaced by the iconic TV tower (1980), which doubles as an observation deck.
 
Activities:
  • Winter Sports : Ski pistes and snowboarding facilities make it a popular ski resort.
  • Hiking : Part of the National Blue Trail (Kektura), offering scenic routes like the 7km “Wonders of the East Side” trail.
  • Cycling : A 90km forest cycling network connects Kekesteto with other Matra destinations, suitable for families and professionals