Toward the Tatras
Introduction
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The rugged landscapes of Slovakia form the stunning panoramic backdrop to this journey through one of Europe's most interesting 'new' countries.
From Budapest, we cross to Slovakia and begin our hike from West to East. Crossing mountains and green meadows, we encounter ancient gold mines and rustic gypsy settlements, indulge in thermal spas and explore historic towns. At Spis in the northeast we visit historic sites including Spis Castle, a World Heritage Site.
We dine on delicious 'halusky' (a nutritious Slovakian dish with bacon and cheese) and eat at a traditional 'koliba', a wooden house where meat is served from the grill.
Walk Summary
| Dates | |
| Trip: | 8 days; 7 nights |
| Terrain: |  Walk Rating: Energetic. Alpine paths, good cross country trails, some rocky terrain. 9-14 miles walking per day. |
| Price |
Walk begins and ends in Budapest, Hungary.
Walk Itinerary
Sunday
We rendezvous in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. Crossing the border into Slovakia, we drive to the medieval city Banska Stiavnica, the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, we meet for our Welcome Dinner and Introductory Talk in the hotel.
Monday
This morning we walk through the Stiavnica Hills to lunch. The afternoon highlight is a walking tour of Banska Stiavnica, where the old medieval mining centre has evolved into a town with Renaissance palaces, 16th-century churches, elegant squares and castles.
Tuesday
After a short drive we arrive in Kremnica, one of the world’s leading mining centres in the Middle Ages, where we stop for a short walk. Later we drive high into the hills and walk across to Banska Bystrica, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Hron, whose lovely medieval architecture is testament to the properity brought by copper mining in the Middle Ages. We stay overnight in Donovaly, a centre of anti-Nazi resistance in World War II and now a modern ski resort.
Wednesday
We take a chair lift (cable lift) from Donovaly up to the Velka Fatra mountains and enjoy a day of alpine flora, orchids, and bird life, amid mountains that offer great views across open ridges and deep limestone gorges. We visit Vlkolinec, a uniquely preserved village, unspoiled by modern development and originally the settlement of loggers, shepherds and farmers. The two-storey log belfry and the log-well, still the only source of water, are amongst the most-photographed sites of all Slovakia.
Thursday
We spend the day hiking in the High Tatras National Park, the largest and most varied Nature Reserve in the country. It’s a day of waterfalls and gorges and rugged peaks, of remote communities amidst a breathtaking landscape; we may see chamois or lynx. We end our day in Liptovsky Hradok.
Friday
In the morning we transfer to Levoca, one of the most interesting cities of Slovakia, an architect’s dream, with its gothic, renaissance and baroque houses and well-preserved city walls, bastions and watch-towers. It has a unique medieval church with a number of gothic altar-pieces, paintings and sculptures. We hike in the nearby Levoca hills, with a backdrop of the High Tatras, across meadows with sheep and flowers.
Saturday
We hike from Zehra, small village with a picturesque 13th century church, and along limestone hills to Spis Castle. Built after the invasion of the Tartars to central Europe in 1240, Spis is one of the largest castles in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the lunch in the fortified Spis chapter-house, we continue to Kosice for our Farewell Dinner in our hotel in the shadow of the great Gothic cathedral in the historic Old Town.
Sunday
After breakfast, we return by train to Budapest.
This itinerary represents a typical Walk. We prepare itineraries well in advance of the trip and therefore we reserve the right to make changes due to weather, local events or other circumstances - but always to improve the experience of our guests.
Hotels
To see the complete list of hotels, please login or register.
Kammerhofská 5
969 01 Banská Štiavnica
T: +421 (0)4-5692-1231
E: recepcia@grandmatej.sk
W: www.grandmatej.sk
The Hotel Grand-Matej is situated in the town square of the beautiful city of Banská Štiavnica. It is easy to walk around this ancient city and its surroundings to see the picturesque lanes, simple houses of miners and medieval residences. Hotel bedrooms are pleasantly furnished and have an ensuite bath or shower, TV with satellite, mini-bar, radio and telephone.
The restaurant is spacious (currently the largest restaurant in the city) with an abundance of green plants. Guests can enjoy spending time on a stylish summer terrace with an open fire-place where pork or chicken can be roasted from April to October.
The Sport Hotel is a modern, reconstructed hotel with 70 years of history and it is located in the heart of a tourist and ski centre called Donovaly. Bedrooms offer a comfortable private bathroom with shower, balcony, telephone, Wi-Fi internet connection, radio, TV with satellite, PAY TV, hotel safe, mini bar, hair drier and robe.
The Restaurant Panorama offers a unique dining experience inspired by the Slovak and international cuisine. The Lobby Bar and Winter Garden are favorite meeting places, providing a wide variety of mixed drinks, delicious coffee and quality wines.
The hotel also provides special offers on adrenaline sports, like rides on quads and snow scooters, paragliding, paintball, dog or horse sleds and many more unforgettable activities.
Stary Smokovec 38
062 01 Vysoke Tatry
T: +421 (0)52 478 0000
E: reservation@grandhotel.sk
W: www.grandhotel.sk
Located in the centre of High Tatras with a backdrop dominated by the massive Slavkovsky peak, this hotel offers guests a whole range of walking opportunities. Originally built in Bavarian style, it has been visited by the rich and famous throughout its history and is considered one of the most prestigious hotels in the region. Recent rennovation and modernisation has included extensive refurbishment of the elegant hotel rooms. The luxurious bedrooms feature ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, minibar and wireless internet connection.
The chef, with his team, prepares high quality dishes including local specialties and there is also a huge selection of pastry and deserts. Guests can also relax in the spa which offers various saunas, a whirlpool and swimming pool as well as many theraputic treatments.
Hlavná 16
040 01 Košice
T: +421 (0)5-5727-9333
E: hotel@hotelzlatydukat.sk
W: www.hotelzlatydukat.sk
Hotel Zlatý Dukát dates back to approximately 1240 and is surrounded by the ancient architecture of Košice city centre. Sensitively reconstructed, this historic building has blended past and present in harmony. The modern interior, together with state-of-the-art technology, make the Hotel Zlatý Dukát among the best accommodation in the Košice region.
Bedrooms have contemporary ensuite bathrooms, free internet access, web radio (various world’s radio stations), room service, alarm clock and safe. Other services include: Laundry and ironing, copy services, 24/h reception, air plane tickets reservation, wireless WiFi access in lobby bar and restaurant.
The Museum of Glass situated within the hotel has a unique selection of glass from 17th up to 21st century with approximately 500 exhibits of Czech and Slovak glass masters.
This hotel list is a provided as an example. We may use different hotels of the same quality and style on specific trips. The Wayfarers will notify confirmed travelers of any changes to the hotels.
Photo Gallery
Travel Information
Before / After:
Visit some of the rich and fascinating historic buildings, monuments, museums, thermal spas and, of course, Buda Castle in Budapest.
Weather:
The weather in Slovakia varies considerably depending on your location. July tends to be very hot and humid in the lowland areas however, in the slightly higher altitudes where our walk takes place, the temperatures will be cooler with daytime temperatures in the region of 70-80°F (21-27°C). The days will be generally sunny, warm and very pleasant for walking in the High Tatras and, although there is likely to be some humidity, this is offset by the pleasant prevailing winds. There can be sudden showers and thunderstorms at any time so bring good quality, lightweight, rain gear and good waterproof walking boots.
To see more Travel Information and a list of our recommended tips please register or sign in. Once you confirm a booking for this walk, as a registered website member, you will be able to access detailed Joining Instructions including exact arrival and departure points and times as part of the Travel Information.
FAQs
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Are there any hidden costs?
Our Vacations do not include the cost of air or rail fares to and from the destination or tips for your walk leader and manager. -
How large are the Groups?
Our maximum group size is 16, but groups average between 8-12 people. -
Will I feel welcome as a single traveler?
Yes! Our walks are the perfect environment of comfortable camaraderie for the single traveler. -
Can you accomodate special diets?
Yes! -
How physically fit do I have to be to do a Wayfarers Walk?
If you are in good health and reasonably fit you will be comfortable participating in a walk.
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Reading List
An irreverent tour of recent Eastern European history in documentary comic-book style, a provocative ,fast moving and opinionated look at who is in conflict with whom and why, nationhood, ethnicity and the future
Compact up to date outstanding guide for where to go and what to do in Budapest. Maps and introductory on culture and history.
What's Next?
At this point we would like to thank you for looking at our website, we hope you will have seen a little of the places we walk to, hotels we stay in and that we have answered some of your questions.
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