Walking Holiday in Slovakia

Day 1 - Fly London to Krakow

You will be met on arrival at Kraków airport and transferred to your hotel located in The Old Town.

This afternoon you'll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the Old Town. Wander the charming streets, take in the historic squares, and admire landmarks such as St. Martin's Cathedral and the Main Square. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating stories about the city's history and culture, bringing the Old Town's rich heritage to life, before finishing the day with a welcome dinner with your group.

Overnight: Hotel Lavander Or Hotel Puro Or Similar

Day 2 - Transfer to Tatranská Lomnica in Slovakia - 2½-3 hours. Cable car ride to Lomnický Peak, 1,750m/5,741ft. Walk down to Hrebienok - 6½km, 3 hours. Funicular to Starý Smokovec. Transfer to hotel.

Today you will leave Kraków behind and take the scenic drive across the border into Northern Slovakia, arriving at the picturesque resort town of Tatranská Lomnica, which is nestled in the Tatra mountains.

On arrival you will take a cable car ride up to 1,750m to Lake Skalnaté Pleso which sits under Mount Lomnický  štít, the second highest peak in Slovakia. Here you can enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding Tatras wilderness. You will descend on foot following the famous Tatranská Magistrála trail across undulating valleys, granite peaks and lush forests to reach Cold Creek Waterfall. The trail ends at Hrebienok, where you will take the modern funicular down to the pretty and popular resort town of Starý Smokovec. Here, you will have some free time to explore the town, relax, or grab a coffee in one of the many restaurants and shops.

It is a short road transfer to your hotel in Štrbské Pleso, a quiet village set beside a calm lake and surrounded by impressive mountain scenery. A great place to unwind after a day on the trail.

Overnight: Hotel Solisko Or Panorama Resort Or Similar, Strbske Pleso

Day 3 - Day walk to Lake Popradské Pleso – 400m/1,312ft ascent and decent, 12km, 4-5 hours.

This morning, you’ll set out on a walk to Lake Popradské Pleso, a beautiful mountain lake nestled in the heart of the quiet Mengusovská Valley. The walk will take you through a peaceful pine forest, and as you emerge on the other side, you’ll be greeted by stunning views overlooking the Solisko Mountain ridge and Ostrva Mountain. Upon reaching the lake, you can take in the breathtaking scenery and stop at the nearby mountain hut for a well-earned rest before making your way back. The locals call this route “the cherry on top” because it offers a big reward with relatively little effort.

After the walk, you’ll return to your hotel and have a free afternoon to relax. You might choose to unwind with a drink on the terrace overlooking the lake, take a gentle stroll along the water’s edge, or simply rest and recharge.

Overnight: Hotel Solisko Or Panorama Resort Or Similar, Strbske Pleso

Day 4 - Drive to Orava Castle – 1 hour. Traditional wooden raft ride on the Orava River and castle tour.

The day starts with a scenic drive into the Orava region, home to a striking medieval castle perched high above the Orava River. You’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour downstream journey aboard an open-sided wooden boat to reach the castle, a local tradition known as pltníctvo. Oarsmen dressed in traditional Slovak clothing will guide the boat along the river, moving at a relaxed, easy pace, perfect for taking in the surroundings. Think of it as a Slovak version of a Venetian gondola ride! From the water, you’ll get a unique view of the castle, dramatically perched like an eagle’s nest atop a sheer cliff. Along the way, your guides will share stories about the region’s rafting history.

After the rafting, there will be time for lunch, and you’ll be taken to a nearby restaurant where you can buy some authentic Slovakian dishes. This afternoon, you’ll take a tour inside the castle and learn about its fascinating history. Built in the 13th century, it has been extended and remodelled over the centuries into a stately home for noblemen. The castle has even made its mark on the big screen, featuring in the 1922 silent film Nosferatu and, more recently, in the 2020 Dracula TV series.

Once your tour concludes, you will drive west to the Malá Fatra mountains, where you’ll settle into a cozy mountain pension near the the village of Terchová for a restful evening.

Overnight: Penzion Sagan Or Similar, Terchova

Day 5 - Mala Fatra Ridge hike - 7.5km, 5 – 6 hours.

The day begins with a scenic cable car ride from Terchová up to the ridge of the Malá Fatra mountains, a popular hiking area in northern Slovakia near the cities of Martin and Žilina, and not far from the Polish border.

At the top, you’ll take a well-marked undulating trail along the ridge. The trail takes you over three peaks, which includes Veľký Kriváň (1,709m / 5,606ft), the highest point in the range. The ridge offers stunning views; on one side, you can look back down towards Terchová, and on the other enjoy sweeping vistas across the Váh Valley towards the Veľká Fatra mountains.

After reaching Veľký Kriváň, assuming conditions are good, you will continue on the trail along the main ridge to the peaks of Chleb and Hromové. Rather than retracing your steps, you’ll descend via a lower path that winds through wildflowers and shrubs, stopping for lunch and refreshments at a charming chalet with a terrace overlooking the valley.

After lunch, you’ll follow the trail back to the cable car, completing the loop hike, and descend back to Terchová.

Overnight: Penzion Sagan Or Similar, Terchova

Day 6 - Morning drive to Čičmany – 1.5 hours. Walk into Čičmany village – 395m/1295ft ascent and decent, 9.9km, 4 hours.

In the morning, you will drive to a trailhead near the traditional Slovak folk village of Čičmany in the Rajecka Valley, located in the Žilina region.

Rather than heading straight into the village, you will begin with a walk through the surrounding countryside, gradually approaching Čičmany on foot.

The walk winds along quiet forested paths, gently climbing up Javorina hill, where you’ll be rewarded with views over the rolling hills and meadows. From there, you’ll descend into the village itself, with the striking rooftops of Čičmany coming into sight as you approach the village. Čičmany has preserved a collection of traditional wooden houses, which are decorated with geometric patterns. Since World War II, many wooden houses throughout the country have been rebuilt using concrete and brick, so Čičmany serves as a living museum.

Your guide will arrange a traditional local restaurant, after which you’ll explore the village, learning more about its history, architecture, and cultural significance. Although Čičmany is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was granted protected monument status in 2013, and the unique patterns decorating the buildings are included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Depending on availability at the local château, you may stay there overnight. If not, you will drive to Bojnice, around 45 minutes away.

Overnight: Kastiel Cicmany Or Hotel Bojnicky Vinny Dom In Bojnice

Day 7 - Guided tour of Bojnice Castle. Transfer to Bratislava – 2 hours. Free afternoon.

If you are not already in Bojnice, you will drive here this morning, for a guided tour of Bojnice Castle, famed for its fairy-tale appearance. The castle dates to the early 12th century but has been extensively remodelled and extended over the centuries.

After the tour, you will have a little free time to explore the town on your own.

Later you will drive back to Bratislava for your last night. You will have the remainder of the day to explore the city independently, and there is plenty to see and do. You might stroll through the charming Old Town, visit Bratislava Castle for panoramic views over the Danube, explore St. Martin’s Cathedral, or relax at one of the city’s many cafés. For those interested in history and culture, the Slovak National Gallery and the Blue Church are also worth a visit and don’t miss the chance to try Makovník, a soft, sweet poppy seed roll that’s a true local favourite.

Your holiday ends with a final group dinner at a local restaurant and a chance to reflect on your time in Slovakia.

Overnight: Hotel Arcadia Or Similar, Bratislava

Day 8 - Group transfer to Vienna Airport. Fly to London.

After breakfast there will be a group transfer to the airport.

We can organise separate transfers to fit other flight departure times or alternate airports and are also happy to quote for extra nights in Bratislava if you are looking to extend your time in Slovakia. Please contact the office for further information and hotel/transfer prices.