Toward the Tatras - August 9-16, 2009
Introduction
The rugged landscapes of Slovakia are the backdrop to this journey through one of Europeâs most interesting ânewâ 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 âhaluskyâ â a nutritious Slovakian dish with bacon and cheese â and eat at traditional âkolibaâ a wooden house where meat is served from the grill.
Walk Summary
| Date | 09-AUG-09 - 16-AUG-09 |
| Trip: | 8 days; 7 nights |
| Terrain: |
|
| Price |
Walk begins and ends Budapest, Hungary.
Walk Itinerary
Sunday
We rendezvous in Budapest, Hungary and transfer to the picturesque city of Banska Štiavnica, Slovakia. We have our Welcome Meeting and dinner in the hotel.
Monday
This morning we walk high up in Štiavnica hills, immersing ourselves in the beautiful landscape with long distance views, meadows, sheep, raspberries and ponds ("teich") - relicts of medieval mining. The afternoon highlight is a walking tour of Banska Stiavnica, where periods of past prosperity contrast with present day poverty since the mining was stopped some years ago.
Tuesday
We continue our journey across Slovakia partly walking, partly driving across the hills towards Kremnica, one of the world’s leading gold mining centres in the Middle Ages. The state mint still operates here today and Slovak Euro coins have been minted here since 2008.
Wednesday
We walk through Kremnica Hills to Banska Bystrica, a modern city and a centre of anti-Nazi resistance during World War II. Located on the banks of the River Hron, the lovely historic architecture in the main square is testament to the prosperity brought by copper mining in the Middle Ages. We finish our walk in one of the local cafés sampling local pastries. At the end of the afternoon we continue to Donovaly, a popular ski resort high up in the mountains, for dinner.
Thursday
We walk out from our hotel in the centre of this lovely village to hike in the Low Tatras National Park.We enjoy a day of alpine flora, orchids, and bird life, amid mountains that offer great views across open ridges and deep limestone gorges. After lunch we visit Vlkolinec, a uniquely preserved village, totally unspoiled by modern development. 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 . We drive to Liptovsky Hradok where we overnight in a castle which has been converted to a striking hotel.
Friday
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, gorges and rugged peaks, of remote communities amidst a breathtaking landscape and we may even see chamois or lynx. We return to Liptovsky Hradok and explore this lovely town, once the home of hunters and officers attached to the castle.
Saturday
We walk today in the Levocske Hills with the High Tatra mountains as a beautiful backdrop. We visit Spis Castle, one of the largest in Central Europe, and the town of Levoca, itself an architect’s dream, with its gothic, renaissance and baroque houses and well-preserved city walls, bastions and watch-towers. We continue to Kosice for our Farewell Dinner in our hotel which stands 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.
Hotel Golfer is hidden within the quiet atmosphere of the old town of Kremnica, far enough from the hustle and bustle but near enough to the historic centre and in the middle of beautiful natural surroundings. Accommodation focuses on being environmentally friendly and bedrooms offer private bathrooms, telephone and satellite TV.
The restaurant offers a rich, home-style buffet breakfast. Guests can relax in the evenings with a game of billiards or table tennis. Alternatively, retire to the Piano bar where pleasant tunes and aromatic coffee or cappuccino await you.
Donovaly 15
976 39 Donovaly
T: +421 (0)4-8429-9020/4
E: recepcia@sporthotel.sk
W: www.sporthotel.sk
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.
Liptovsky Hradok
Hrad a Kaštieľ
033 01 Liptovský Hrádok
T: +421 (0)4-4520-7711
E: castle@grandcastle.sk
W: www.grandcastle.sk
Dating back to the 13th century, the original castle was built of stone on a limestone rock which has helped its preservation throughout the centuries. In 1803, a massive fire closed the castle and it lay in ruins until 2001. Then the castle was purchased by Mrs. Dagmar Machova who completely reconstructed the building, transforming it into a luxury hotel.
Each of the rooms is exquisitely furnished in its own unique style (such as Biedermeier, Empire, or Art Nouveau) and offers full ensuite facilities. Internet wireless connection is available in all of the bedrooms and the restaurant.
Guests can enjoy exquisite cuisine served in the castle's restaurant 'Magdalena Zai'.
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, parking place, 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 Budapest in Hungary before the walk.
Weather:
The weather in late May and June is pleasant at 70-80°F (20-27°C), with some humidity. September is a beautiful month weather-wise, with daytime temperatures in the region of 60-77°F (15-25°C). Throughout the summer, sudden showers and thunderstorms are common at any time, so bring good quality, lightweight, rain gear.
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
Have questions? Can't see the answers, it maybe someone else has already asked! To see a full list of FAQs please register or sign in.
-
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.
Ask a question
Please do not hesitate to ask us a question about this walk.
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.
For more information contact our team who are waiting for your questions. Alternatively we suggest you choose one of the following:
|
|
Register Online Join us on our no obligation, no hassle website. The benefits include viewing full Hotel lists, FAQ's, and Walk Reviews from previous walkers, offering a world of extra information about Toward the Tatras - August 9-16, 2009. |
|
|
Save this Walk By registering you can 'save this walk' to your Wayfarers account, allowing you to share your vacation ideas with friends and family before making any commitments, you can also save walks to your favorite websites such as Facebook and Windows Live! |
|
|
Ask a question Take part in our online FAQ's, we are delighted to receive and share feedback about our walks and website with others. This is your website and we welcome your contribution to improving it. |
As always with The Wayfarers, there is plenty to see and explore on this website, we love to hear from any Wayfarers and look forward to tempting you to join us on the trail!



