Itinerary

• Day 1
  Budapest - Szentendre

  After arriving in Budapest transfer yourself to the town of Szentendre, located 20 km (12 miles) north of Budapest, easy to reach by train, bus or boat on the Danube. The change of scenery from a big city to the small town of Szentendre, a popular artists’ haven with numerous churches, museums and galleries  is a pleasant start for the best of the hiking routes between Budapest and Cracow. The nearby Open Air Museum offers visitors a look at traditional Hungarian village architecture.

  Overnight in Szentendre.

• Day 2
  Szentendre - Visegrad - Esztergom (14 km / 9 miles, elevation gain 630 m)

  In the morning meet our representative/guide who gives you the tour briefing and takes you by car to Visegrad. The foot trail features wonderful views of the Danube Bend and hills around Visegrad, where in a relatively small area you can admire both history and nature. Visit of the dominant feature of the countryside, the Renaissance-style King Matthias Palace. Then walk in remoted forests of Pilis Hills before transferred to Esztergom, since 1000 the archbishop seat, and the early-medieval Hungarian capital. No wonder, that the magnificent Esztergom basilica is the largest cathedral in Hungary.

  Overnight in Esztergom.

• Day 3
  Esztergom - Kamenica nad Hronom - Banska Stiavnica (10 km / 6 miles, elevation gain 320 m)

  From Esztergom get a short transfer to the trailhead in the village of Kamenica nad Hronom, where the Kovacovske Hills nature trail starts. This is one of the easier hikes in both difficulty and length. The route leads through a National Nature Reserve offering panoramic views of the majestic Danube River from the Slovak side.  Then continue by car to Banska Stiavnica, one of the most valuable historical towns in Slovakia, protected by UNESCO for its mining history and Renaissance atmosphere.

  Overnight in Banska Stiavnica.

• Day 4
  Banska Stiavnica - Prencov - Banska Stiavnica (23 km / 14 miles, elevation gain 1070 m)

  Morning transport by car takes you to the village of Prencov where the longest route of the tour starts walking up to Sitno Mountain (1,009 m / 3,310 ft), the highest peak of the Stiavnicke Hills with observation tower at the top. The nearby castle relict is named after the mountain. The path then leads on through one-time mining country, with an interesting system of lakes and collection canals, back to Banska Stiavnica.

  Overnight in Banska Stiavnica.

• Day 5
  Banska Stiavnica - Ruzomberok - Vlkolinec - Ruzomberok (12 km / 7.5 miles, elevation gain 490 m)

  Transferred to the town of Ruzomberok start walking into the ranges of the High Fatra mountains. Going around Sidorovo Mountain reach the most exquisite view of the village of Vlkolinec, one of the main points of interest on the Amber Trail, a historical reserve containing the most undisturbed and complete collection of traditional houses built using old crafts and techniques, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then take a comfortable walk back to Ruzomberok.

  Overnight in Ruzomberok.

• Day 6
  Ruzomberok - Salatin - Liptovsky Mikulas (16 km / 10 miles, elevation gain 1100 m)

  This day is set aside for a hike in the Low Tatras, a national park of extraordinary botanic and zoological value. It is the most difficult segment of our trip which starts with a short transfer to Liptovska Luzna. From there keep going uphill to the top of Salatin Mountain (1,630 m / 5,348 ft), offering a really fine view of the whole area. The foot trail is one of the prettiest in the Low Tatras. After descending to the other side of the mountain range you will get a car transfer to Liptovsky Mikulas, an interesting town whose museum documents an infamous outlaw Juraj Janosik hung on a hook to die in 1713 – the Slovak Robin Hood.

  Overnight in Liptovsky Mikulas.

• Day 7
  Liptovsky Mikulas - Prosiecka and Kvacanska Valley - Liptovsky Mikulas (11 km / 7 miles, elevation gain 770 m)

  The day starts with a transport to the village of Prosiek, the starting point for excursions into the Chocske Hills. Both Prosiecka and Kvacanska valleys belong to the most beautiful canyons in Slovakia, featuring a remarkably wild natural environment with caves, waterfalls, and a unique, restored wooden mill in the hamlet of Oblazy. In places the only way to go up is by ladder. After finishing the hiking route you are taken by car back to Liptovsky Mikulas.

  Overnight in Liptovsky Mikulas.

• Day 8
  Liptovsky Mikulas - Chopok - Demanovska Valley - Liptovsky Mikulas (19 km / 12 miles, elevation gain 1230 m)

  Morning transfer to the Certovica Pass brings you to a hike along the main ridge of Low Tatras. It is real flagship of hiking in Slovakia with permanent panoramatic views of spectacular landscape. Apart from reaching Chopok Mountain (2,024 m / 6,640 ft) you can take a 2 km side trip to the highest peak of the Low Tatras, Dumbier Mountain (2,043 m / 6,703 ft). To descend from the top of Chopok Mountain to the Demanovska Valley you can either walk down or use a lift avoiding 5 km steep downhill and then get a transfer back to Liptovsky Mikulas.

  Overnight in Liptovsky Mikulas.

• Day 9
  Liptovsky Mikulas - Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - Krakow (5 km / 3 miles, elevation gain 190 m)

  Leaving Slovakia for Poland today you will be driven to the village of Lanckorona to begin walking through woods to today’s highlight – pilgrimage site Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Walking along the Stations of the Cross, consisting of 32 chapels and chaplets, you will reach the monumental Bernardine monastery, from where you get a transfer to the royal city of Krakow, once the capital of Poland.

  Overnight in Krakow.

• Day 10
  Krakow

  In Krakow you will probably want to spend more than just one day. Wawel Castle, the Old Market Square, the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, the town walls and Royal Way are some of the many things to see in this ancient city.