Itinerary Highlights Map / Profiles Time to go Accommodation What’s included / Price Booking
10-day / 9-night walking tour
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 – Pilis Hills – Esztergom (14 km / 9 miles)
In the morning meet our representative who gives you 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 you get transferred by car to Esztergom, since 1000 the archbishop seat, and the former Hungarian capital. No wonder, that the magnificent Esztergom basilica is the largest cathedral in Hungary.
Overnight in Esztergom
Day 3) Esztergom – Kamenica – Kovacovske Hills – Banska Stiavnica (10 km / 6 miles)
After Esztergom get a short car 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 get a car transfer to Banska Stiavnica, one of the most valuable historical towns in Slovakia, protected by UNESCO for its history and atmosphere.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
Day 4) Banska Stiavnica – Prencov – Banska Stiavnica (23 km / 14 miles)
Morning transport by car takes you to the village of Prencov where the route starts walking up to Sitno, the highest peak in the Stiavnicke Highlands (1,009 m / 3,310 ft) 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, to Banska Stiavnica.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
Day 5) Banska Stiavnica – Ruzomberok – Vlkolinec – Ruzomberok (12 km / 7.5 miles)
After transfer by car 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 – Liptovska Luzna – Salatin Mt. – Liptovsky Mikulas (16 km / 10 miles)
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 car transfer to Liptovska Luzna. From there keep going uphill to the top of Salatin Mountain (1,630 m / 5,348 ft), where there is 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)
The day starts with a car transport to the village of Prosiek, the starting point for excursions into the Chocske Hills. Both Prosiecka and Kvacanska valley belong to the most beautiful valleys 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) L. Mikulas – Certovica – Chopok Mt. – Demanovska Valley – L. Mikulas (19 km / 12 miles)
Morning transfer by car 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 by car back to Liptovsky Mikulas.
Overnight in Liptovsky Mikulas
Day 9) Liptovsky Mikulas – Lanckorona – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow (5 km / 3 miles)
After car transfer to the village of Lanckorona in Poland begin walking to today’s highlight – pilgrimage site Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with the Stations of the Cross consisting of 32 chapels and chaplets, ending at the monumental Bernardine monastery. Transfer by car from Kalwaria Zebrzydowska to Krakow.
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 historical city, the former capital of Poland.
Corr. RR