Kékes is the highest peak in Hungary, rising to 1014 metres above sea level in the Mátra Mountains of the Northern Hungarian Uplands. It is a surprisingly versatile destination — part spa retreat, part ski resort, part hiking haven — and on a clear day the views stretch across the entire Hungarian plain.

The mountain has a genuinely pleasant character across all seasons. Summer brings shaded forest trails and refreshingly cool temperatures that rarely exceed 26 °C. Autumn turns the slopes into a patchwork of gold and copper. Winter transforms Kékes into Hungary's busiest ski area, with reliable snow cover historically lasting over 150 days in a season. The mountain air is notably clean, low in dust and pollen, and the microclimate has long been valued for its therapeutic effects, particularly for respiratory conditions.

• From Mátraháza — road no. 24 134 leads directly to the summit area; regular bus connections run from Gyöngyös, and direct buses operate from Budapest Stadion bus terminal.
• The summit lies on section 21 of the Országos Kéktúra (National Blue Trail), Hungary's long-distance hiking route — stamp point at the sanatorium reception.

• The 180-metre TV tower on the summit functions as a lookout — it features an enclosed panoramic café and an open viewing platform at 45 metres height.
• Two ski runs are available: the steeper north slope (600 m long, 180 m vertical drop) and the gentler south slope — at 1800 m it is the longest ski run in Hungary.
• Mountain roads may be closed to private cars in icy winter conditions.
• The highest point is marked by a stone painted in Hungarian national colours, placed on a small cairn of andesite rocks.

Since 2024, asteroid 207481 officially bears the name 'Kékes' — and cycling fans will recognise the summit as the legendary queen stage finish of the Tour de Hongrie, where the pros battle nearly 800 metres of climbing from the valley floor.