Toward the Tatras
Introduction
The rugged landscapes of Slovakia are the 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 traditional ‘koliba’ a wooden house where meat is served from the grill.
Walk Summary
| Dates | |
| Trip: |
8 days; 7 nights |
| Terrain: |
|
| Price |
US$3895.00 per person double occupancy |
Walk begins and ends Budapest, Hungary.
Walk Highlights
Sunday
We rendezvous in Budapest, Hungary and transfer to the medieval city of B.Štiavnica, Slovakia and our hotel situated in the picturesque town square. We have our Welcome Meeting and dinner in the hotel.
Monday
This morning we walk in Štiavnica 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
We enjoy a full day’s hiking and lunch in the hills before continuing on our way to Kremnica, one of the world’s leading mining centres in the Middle Ages. We will see the Plague memorial which dominates the historic main square.
Wednesday
We walk through the Kremnica Hills, where we will see evidence of mining activities from as long ago as the 9th century. We stop for coffee and traditional pastries on the lovely main square in Banska Bystrica, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Hron, whose lovely medieval architecture is testament to the prosperity brought by copper mining in the Middle Ages.
We continue to Donovaly, a centre of anti-Nazi resistance in World War II and now a modern ski resort, for Dinner and Overnight.
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 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 and gorges and rugged peaks, of remote communities amidst a breathtaking landscape; we may 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 a backdrop of the High Tatra mountains. 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 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
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Hotel Grand-Matej - Sunday & MondayThe 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.
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 pleasant music, 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.
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 gastronomic 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 4-4520-7711
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'. Both the restaurant and lobby bar, including its fireplace, are warmly recommended as comfortable and cozy.
Hotel Zlatý Dukát dates back to approximately 1240 and is surrounded by the most significant historical memorials and ancient architecture of Košice city centre. Sensitively reconstructed, this historical building has blended past and present in pleasant 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, free interactive information system available in 5 languages with its access through the TV screen, web radio (various world’s radio stations), games, room service, alarm clock and safe. Other services: Laundry and ironing, copy services, parking place, 24/h reception services, 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
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.
Before / After:
Visit Budapest in Hungary before the walk.
Visit Krakow in Poland after the walk.
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.
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
Tracing the roots of Slovakia from first arrival on the Danubian Plain, discussion of communist period and relationship with Hungary and Czech.
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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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!
