Adventure Hiking in Slovakia in a Week
Trek across the stunning High Tatras and explore the trails, ladders, bridges and catwalks of Slovak Paradise National Park
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking local guidesHotel
6 nights in boutique, family-run hotelsMeals
All your breakfasts and 4 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenPermits
All permits and entry feesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Explore hiking trails through forested valleys, waterfalls and alpine lakes in the remote High Tatras mountains
Trek the little-known yet insanely beautiful Tatranská Magistrala trail as it weaves among 2500m+ peaks
Ascend gorges in the aptly-named Slovak Paradise National Park using a network of ladders, catwalks and hanging bridges
This week-long adventure links together two of our favourite epic weekenders: Adventure Hiking in Slovakia and Hike the High Tatras Mountains
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Slovakia!
Meet your host and take a scenic drive over the border into Slovakia to your friendly family-run hotel in the lovely village of Stará Lesná. Check in, unwind and then meet the rest of your group for dinner and a chance to discuss the plan for the days ahead.
Day 2
The Velicka Valley
Hiking
Hike to the beautiful Velicka Valley, located at the foot of the highest mountain in Slovakia – the 2655m Gerlachovsky Peak. Enjoy the incredible scenery and then trek to a pretty mountain lake for lunch with a waterfall view. Explore the famous Tatranska Magistrala trail as it winds its way through a labyrinth of dwarf pines and spruces, then follow a pristine mountain stream back to your hotel for the evening.
Day 3
Green Lake
Hiking
Hop in a cable car to Skalnate Pleso at 1700m and hit the trail to the peak of Velka Svistovka. Take in the views from here before descending through a rugged valley to the serene Green Lake. Enjoy lunch at a lakeside hut, then walk through a dwarf pine forest to reach White Lake. Continue down through more forested slopes to reach Kovalčíkova pol'ana, where you'll hop back in a cable car to descend the valley and head back to your accommodation. Spend the evening unwinding in a jacuzzi or sauna at the hotel, and then grab some dinner before a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Day 4
Strbske Lake and on to Slovak Paradise National Park
Hiking
Pack up and head to Strbske Lake, one of the most scenic and photographed in Slovakia. Enjoy a hike through some stunning scenery on the way to Popradske Lake, then grab some lunch and soak up the quaint village beneath the peaks. Bid farewell to the High Tatras mountains as you journey to the quaint village of Levoča. Settle into your next base, soak up the town square and grab an early dinner before heading to the nearby thermal pools for a soak.
Day 5
One day, two canyons
Hiking
Head into the Slovak Paradise National Park and see for yourself why it lives up to its name. Hike along the bottom of Sucha Bela Gorge, one of the longest and most popular canyons in the park, where you will trek through water, climb over fallen trees and ascend ladders – you'll even pass a window-like hole in the rock. Emerge from the canyon and have lunch at a mountain hut before continuing through Prielom Hornadu Gorge, famous for the series of ledges and catwalks that rise above the Hornad River. Return to Levoča in time for dinner and a good night's sleep.
Day 6
Fireplace Gorge
Hiking
Head back into the park today and explore Piecky (Fireplace) Gorge, which gets its name from the amazing rock formations that span the canyon. More ladders await as you climb beside multi-story waterfalls, including some horizontal ones that take you over green and blue pools of water. After completing the hikes you'll head over to a reservoir hidden in the forest to take in the serenity of the spot and maybe grab a wild swim here. Head back to Levoča for dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Day 7
One last hike and head home
Hiking
Check out of the hotel and venture into the National Park one last time, hiking to a stunning 200m-high rock shelf with excellent views over the entire area you’ve been exploring. Hike back down and return to Krakow in time for your flight home, with new stories and photos to share with your friends.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Each morning you'll tuck in to a sizeable breakfast buffet with more options than you'll possibly need: cereals, muesli and yoghurt, meats, cheeses, salads, breads and eggs, plus cakes, juices and teas and coffees. Your dinners will vary but will focus on simple, fresh and hearty Slovakian staples that include pork, poultry, cheese, pastry, potatoes, onions and garlic. Lentil and vegetable stews are also common, as is wild game, pasta and the gnocchi-style dish bryndzove halušky.
Lunches are not included so you are likely to eat at mountain huts on some days and you will need to bring a packed lunch with you on the hike on others. There are packed lunch and snack options available to purchase near to your accommodation. Your guide will provide advice during your trip.
There are a variety of restaurants in Stará Lesná and Levoča, including European-American fusion, pizza, pubs and Italian. It’s possible to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets, just let your host know before arrival.
What is the accommodation like?
Tatras Mountains
While exploring the Tatras Mountains, you'll be staying in the friendly, family-run Penzión Lomnicky in the village of Stará Lesná. The hotel is beautifully presented, with a modern twist on traditional Slovakian style. All rooms are en suite and come with WiFi, towels and a hairdryer.
Levoča
While hiking in the Slovak National Park, you'll stay at the Hotel U Leva – a family-run, 3-star hotel in a restored medieval building right in the heart of town. Rooms are en suite and include WiFi, satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel serves a delicious fresh breakfast each day.
Please note, select departures will stay next door at the Hotel Arkada, which is of a similar standard.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Challenging
In the Tatras Mountains, you’ll cover around 18km of uneven terrain each day with as much as 1000m of ascent, so a moderate level of fitness is needed to enjoy it to the full. Some hikes also include short sections of scrambling. Whilst prior experience is recommended, it’s not required to enjoy this section of the trip.
In the Slovak Paradise National Park, you'll be covering 11-17km each day across uneven terrain, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended to enjoy it to the full. However, elevation gains are more modest (400-700m) and while the trails are complex, you'll be moving at a slow pace.
The ladders, catwalks and ledges (some of which are quite narrow) are very sturdy and secure; however, you should be comfortable with heights. Imagine climbing up to the third story of a building on a ladder: if you can do that, you'll be fine and your guide will never be far away.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need a daypack for each day of hiking, with 20-30 litres of capacity for your lunch, extra layers/waterproofs, water bottle(s) and any other personal items. Your main luggage can stay in the hotel each day throughout the trip.
The High Tatras in summer are beautiful and relatively warm. From June to August the average daytime temperature is 12°C, but it can range from 8–18 °C. It rains approximately 12 days each month, totalling 80mm monthly. Spring and autumn temperatures are a little cooler, ranging from 4 – 13 °C, but it is also drier (just 60mm monthly).
The Slovak Paradise National Park in summer is at lower elevation so will be warmer; from June to August the average daytime temperatures range from 18-22°C, but at night it cools down to around 8°C. In the spring and autumn it's a little chillier, ranging from 10-18 °C during the day and 3-6 °C at night. Autumn is the driest season and also boasts some beautiful colours.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland
17:00 on Day 1
Ends
Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland
15:30 on Day 7
Transfers
You’ll be picked up by your host on arrival at Krakow Airport at 17:00, then transferred across the border into Slovakia en route to your first base – the village of Stará Lesná in the Tatras Mountains. On Day 7, you'll be driven back to Krakow Airport and dropped off in time for any flights departing after 17:30.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Krakow from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Your group arrival and departure transfers are relatively long (150km/approximately 3 hours) and include a border crossing. For this reason, private transfers are not usually offered by your host, as the cost is prohibitive – you are encouraged to join the group arrival and departure transfers.
As the first and last days of your adventure are full days and the traffic between Krakow Airport and the city is usually heavy, it is not possible to be picked up or dropped off at a city hotel. However, public transport between the city and the airport is very good. There is a train that leaves once or twice per hour, which takes 17 minutes and is very economical.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Main bag or suitcase
Day pack for hiking (20-30 litres)
Waterproof liner for hiking pack
CLOTHES
Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Swimwear for thermal pool
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes for evenings at the hotels
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Face mask
Two reusable water bottles x1 litre
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Trekking poles
Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
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