5.0

Hike Slovakia's Tatras Mountains

Spend a full week hiking the epic ridgeline trails of Slovakia’s most iconic mountain ranges

What's Included?

  • Maximum group size: 12Join small n’ sociable groups of like-minded, active and outdoorsy people – designed to be solo-friendly

Fromexcluding flights

Highlights

  • Follow lesser-known routes and remote trails through the Great Fatra and Low Tatras mountains - crowds are not on the agenda

  • Stay in mountain huts and cosy lodges far from civilisation - perfect for stargazing

  • Hike to waterfalls and natural thermal pools and visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Vlkolinec

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Hello Slovakia

    Hotel
    Twin share
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your host at Bratislava Airport and head to the town of Banska Bystrica. Settle in and then meet up with the rest of your group for dinner and a chance to chat about the adventure ahead.

  2. Day 2

    The Great Fatra

    Hiking
    5-6hrs · 14km · 560m up · 570m down
    Mountain hut
    Mixed dorm
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Get off the beaten path and hike into the mountainous Great Fatra National Park, an area populated by bears, wolves, deer and black grouse - to name just a few of the local residents. Follow the main ridgeline to the highest peak in the area - Ostredok, passing through vast meadows and small forests. Unwind at a remote mountain hut beneath Borisov Mountain - your home for the night.

  3. Day 3

    Smrekovica

    Hiking
    6.5hrs · 14km · 920m up · 840m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    After breakfast Slovakian style, continue along the main ridge through the National Park. Take in the amazing views in all directions - there’s over 900 metres of elevation gain today, so get ready for some peak-bagging! Finish at a mountain hotel in Smrekovica in time for a sundowner or a Finnish sauna to soothe your limbs after a big day.

  4. Day 4

    Hot springs and a UNESCO protected village

    Hiking
    5hrs · 13km · 410m up · 1050m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 4 detail

    Complete your hike through the Great Fatra, ending at Vlkolinec, a remarkably well-preserved 14th-century village. Drive to Liptovsky Jan, your base for the next 3 nights, famous for its soothing thermal springs. You'll have a chance to take a warm dip this evening and have the place to yourself after the daytime crowds have moved on.

    Day 5

    Lake Temnosmrecianske

    Hiking
    4hrs · 10.4km · 495m up · 500m down
    Cycling
    1hr · 10km · 300m up · 350m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 5 detail

    Today you'll have a choice of activities. If you're ready for a chill, then take a free day and relax in and around Liptovsky Jan. If you're thirsty for more, then hike to Lake Temnosmrecianske - one of the least visited and most peaceful places in Slovakia. First, you'll cycle for 10km along flat gravel tracks into the Koprova valley, next you'll visit the highest waterfall in the country and then hike through the forest to the lake. It’s a hard place to get to but well worth the effort. If cycling isn't your thing, e-bikes are available for a small extra fee, just let your host know you're keen.

  5. Day 6

    The main ridge of the Low Tatras Mountains

    Hiking
    6.5hrs · 16km · 500m up · 1400m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 6 detail

    Ride the cable car ride to one of the highest peaks in the Low Tatras mountains - Chopok (2020m.) Spend the day hiking the main ridge far away from the usual tourist areas. It’s part of the spectacularly named, 'Path of the Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising,' a 400km long trail that crosses the entire country. Today is a tough hike with nearly 1500m of descent, so make sure those knees are ready for it.

  6. Day 7

    Mala Fatra Mountains

    Hiking
    5hrs · 11km · 620m up · 620m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 7 detail

    Take a detour on the way back to Bratislava and hike in the Mala Fatra Mountains. You'll take the cable car up and down, but you've earned the right to cut some corners by now! After bagging the highest peak in the area, Velky Krivan, drive back to Bratislava and spend the evening exploring the city.

  7. Day 8

    Time to say goodbye

    Breakfast included
    Show Day 8 detail

    Depending on your flight, you may have some more time to explore lovely Bratislava, before heading back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
M. R. Štefánik Airport (BTS)
Pick up
Bratislava Airport
16:30
Drop off
Bratislava Airport
Flexible

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

You’ll be picked up on arrival by your host at Bratislava Airport at 16:30 on Day 1. You are free to book any flight home on Day 8, transfers are included for all flights departing this day.

If you are unable to make those transfer times, then private transfers are also available. See Optional Extras for prices. Your host is also able to book pre/post trip accommodation for your in Banska Bystric or Bratislava if you want to extend your trip to meet alternative flight schedules.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Slovakia from major airports across the UK and Europe.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

Expert, English-speaking guides

7 nights accommodation in mountain huts, local hotels and guesthouses

All meals except for dinners on days 1 and 8, lunches on days 4, 5 and 6.

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Mountain bike for the journey to Lake Temnosmrecianske

All permits and entry fees

Optional Extras

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation

Pre night accommodation in Banska Bystrica - Single room
Pre night accommodation in Banska Bystrica - Twin/Double room
Pre/post night accommodation in Bratislava - Single room
Pre/post night accommodation in Bratislava - Twin/Double room

Upgrades

Private Room Upgrade
…/per person

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room in the hotels can be booked for an extra charge: see Optional Extras for prices. It is not possible to have a private room on Night 2 in the Mountain Hut. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability)


Transfers

Private transfer Bratislava Airport to Banska Bystrica hotel
…/per person
Private transfer Bratislava hotel to Airport
…/per person

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

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Latest Reviews

  • Ben

    Really good trip and would recommend to all of my friends! Slovakia is a beautiful country and this trip is also a less touristy hiking option. On some of the trails you won't see any other people, only the nature! The company that MBA uses are fantastic and are really well organised.

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  • Really good trip and would recommend to all...

    Ben September 2021
    Really good trip and would recommend to all of my friends! Slovakia is a beautiful country and this trip is also a less touristy hiking option. On some of the trails you won't see any other people, only the nature! The company that MBA uses are fantastic and are really well organised.

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What do I need to bring?
Bags
  • Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
  • Large pack (45L+) for both day hiking and the longer hikes on Days 2-4.
  • Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack / drybags
Clothes
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • Buff
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Lightweight trousers/shorts etc
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear & socks
  • Sunhat
  • Something to sleep in
  • Swimwear
  • Hiking boots (worn-in)
Other
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent
  • Earplugs
  • Personal toiletries
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Headtorch
  • Reusable water bottle x1 ltr (2 of these if you have room)
  • Energy bars and snacks

FAQs

Tap water in Slovakia is drinkable and available every day in the hotels. We suggest you bring a couple of reusable water bottles to fill up each morning. There is also drinking water available at the mountain hut on day 2.

You'll be sleeping in 5 different places, however, your luggage will be transferred every day so you won't need to carry it. You'll just need a day bag. The one exception is on Day 2 when you stay overnight in the mountain hut, and therefore won't have access to your main luggage until the hotel at the end of Day 3. You will carry the personal items you need for days 2-3.

For current advice about travelling in Slovakia, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 254kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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