Perched on a 625-metre volcanic peak above the Medves Plateau, Salgó Castle is one of the most dramatic ruined fortresses in northern Hungary. The combination of wild volcanic scenery, sweeping mountain views and a wonderfully colourful history makes it a destination that rewards every hiker who makes the climb.

The landscape around Salgó has a raw, elemental character — forested slopes giving way to bare volcanic rock right at the summit, where the castle walls still stand defiant against the sky. In clear weather the views are extraordinary: the Mátra hills roll away to the south, and on the most transparent of days the snowy peaks of the High Tatras are visible to the north. Autumn is particularly magical here, when the forests below blaze with colour.

• Salgótarján or Salgóbánya village — moderately easy hike to the summit; suitable for most walkers.

• Archaeological excavation and partial restoration of the castle began in the 1980s.
• The castle originally had three distinct sections: the upper castle on the highest rock, the elongated middle castle, and the lower castle — of which only a few wall fragments survive on the north-western side.

In 1554, Turkish forces captured Salgó without firing a single shot — the terrified garrison surrendered after spotting what looked like an enormous cannon on the neighbouring hilltop, only to discover it was nothing more than a thick tree trunk mounted on wheels. It remains one of the most cunning bluffs in Hungarian castle history.