5.0

Adventure Hiking in Slovakia in a Week

  • Slovakia
  • 6 nights

Trek across the stunning High Tatras and explore the trails, ladders, bridges and catwalks of Slovak Paradise National Park

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guides
  • Hotel6 nights in boutique, family-run hotels
  • MealsAll your breakfasts and 4 dinners
  • TransfersTo and from the airport and everything in between
  • PermitsAll permits and entry fees
  • Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From…excluding flights

Highlights

  • Explore hiking trails through forested valleys, waterfalls and alpine lakes in the remote High Tatras mountains

  • Trek the little-known yet insanely beautiful Tatranská Magistrala trail as it weaves among 2500m+ peaks

  • Ascend gorges in the aptly-named Slovak Paradise National Park using a network of ladders, catwalks and hanging bridges

  • This week-long adventure links together two of our favourite epic weekenders: Adventure Hiking in Slovakia (opens in new tab) and Hike the High Tatras Mountains (opens in new tab)

Itinerary

    Day 1

    Welcome to Slovakia!

    Hotel
    Twin share
    Dinner included
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your host and take a scenic drive over the border into Slovakia to your friendly family-run hotel in the lovely village of Stará Lesná. Check in, unwind and then meet the rest of your group for dinner and a chance to discuss the plan for the days ahead.

    Day 2

    The Velicka Valley

    Hiking
    5-6hrs · 15km · 784m up · 760m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Hike to the beautiful Velicka Valley, located at the foot of the highest mountain in Slovakia – the 2655m Gerlachovsky Peak. Enjoy the incredible scenery and then trek to a pretty mountain lake for lunch with a waterfall view. Explore the famous Tatranska Magistrala trail as it winds its way through a labyrinth of dwarf pines and spruces, then follow a pristine mountain stream back to your hotel for the evening.

    Day 3

    Green Lake

    Hiking
    6-7hrs · 15km · 480m up · 1040m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 3 detail

    Hop in a cable car to Skalnate Pleso at 1700m and hit the trail to the peak of Velka Svistovka. Take in the views from here before descending through a rugged valley to the serene Green Lake. Enjoy lunch at a lakeside hut, then walk through a dwarf pine forest to reach White Lake. Continue down through more forested slopes to reach Kovalčíkova pol'ana, where you'll hop back in a cable car to descend the valley and head back to your accommodation. Spend the evening unwinding in a jacuzzi or sauna at the hotel, and then grab some dinner before a well-deserved night’s sleep.

    Day 4

    Strbske Lake and on to Slovak Paradise National Park

    Hiking
    4hrs · 10km · 350m up · 350m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 4 detail

    Pack up and head to Strbske Lake, one of the most scenic and photographed in Slovakia. Enjoy a hike through some stunning scenery on the way to Popradske Lake, then grab some lunch and soak up the quaint village beneath the peaks. Bid farewell to the High Tatras mountains as you journey to the quaint village of Levoča. Settle into your next base, soak up the town square and grab an early dinner before heading to the nearby thermal pools for a soak.

    Day 5

    One day, two canyons

    Hiking
    6-7hrs · 17km · 520m up · 75m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 5 detail

    Head into the Slovak Paradise National Park and see for yourself why it lives up to its name. Hike along the bottom of Sucha Bela Gorge, one of the longest and most popular canyons in the park, where you will trek through water, climb over fallen trees and ascend ladders – you'll even pass a window-like hole in the rock. Emerge from the canyon and have lunch at a mountain hut before continuing through Prielom Hornadu Gorge, famous for the series of ledges and catwalks that rise above the Hornad River. Return to Levoča in time for dinner and a good night's sleep.

    Day 6

    Fireplace Gorge

    Hiking
    6hrs · 9km · 350m up · 75m down
    Hotel
    Twin share
    Breakfast and dinner included
    Show Day 6 detail

    Head back into the park today and explore Piecky (Fireplace) Gorge, which gets its name from the amazing rock formations that span the canyon. More ladders await as you climb beside multi-story waterfalls, including some horizontal ones that take you over green and blue pools of water. After completing the hikes you'll head over to a reservoir hidden in the forest to take in the serenity of the spot and maybe grab a wild swim here. Head back to Levoča for dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

    Day 7

    One last hike and head home

    Hiking
    4hrs · 7km · 170m up · 170m down
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 7 detail

    Check out of the hotel and venture into the National Park one last time, hiking to a stunning 200m-high rock shelf with excellent views over the entire area you’ve been exploring. Hike back down and return to Krakow in time for your flight home, with new stories and photos to share with your friends.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)
Pick up
Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland
17:00 on Day 1
Drop off
Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland
15:30 on Day 7

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

You’ll be picked up by your host on arrival at Krakow Airport at 17:00, then transferred across the border into Slovakia en route to your first base – the village of Stará Lesná in the Tatras Mountains. On Day 7, you'll be driven back to Krakow Airport and dropped off in time for any flights departing after 17:30.

Travel options

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

Your group arrival and departure transfers are relatively long (150km/approximately 3 hours) and include a border crossing. For this reason, private transfers are not usually offered by your host, as the cost is prohibitive – you are encouraged to join the group arrival and departure transfers.

As the first and last days of your adventure are full days and the traffic between Krakow Airport and the city is usually heavy, it is not possible to be picked up or dropped off at a city hotel. However, public transport between the city and the airport is very good. There is a train that leaves once or twice per hour, which takes 17 minutes and is very economical.

Alternatively, there are a small number of flights between the UK and Poprad-Tatry Airport. Private transfers between this airport and your starting/finishing point are not available, however, the cost of a taxi is approximately 15-25 EUR one way.

Trip level explained

Level 3

Moderate

In the Tatras Mountains, you’ll cover around 18km of uneven terrain each day with as much as 1,000m of ascent, so a moderate level of fitness is needed to enjoy it to the full. Some hikes also include short sections of scrambling and on one day there is a steep 30m section with a chain to hold onto to help with this. There are also a few sections where you will be walking on a hillside and traversing a steep peak with a drop on one side of the path. Whilst prior experience is recommended, it’s not required to enjoy this section of the trip.

In the Slovak Paradise National Park, you'll be covering 11-17km each day across uneven terrain, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended to enjoy it to the full. However, elevation gains are more modest (400-700m) and while the trails are complex, you'll be moving at a slow pace.

The ladders, catwalks and ledges (some of which are quite narrow) are very sturdy and secure; however, you should be comfortable with heights. Imagine climbing up to the third story of a building on a ladder: if you can do that, you'll be fine and your guide will never be far away.

What will I need to carry?

You'll need a daypack for each day of hiking, with 20-30 litres of capacity for your lunch, extra layers/waterproofs, water bottle(s) and any other personal items. Your main luggage can stay in the hotel each day throughout the trip.

Wildlife Factors To Consider

This trip visits locations where wild animals are present in a natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some wild animals may be predatory in nature, poisonous, venomous or otherwise can be considered dangerous in a close encounter. Wild animals by their nature are unpredictable and visitors to their habitat should follow the safety instructions given by their local guide(s) and/or any signage present. It is a privilege to see wild animals in a natural environment and an experience that should be respectfully conducted at all times.

Remote environment: factors to consider

Some parts of this trip take place in areas where access to medical facilities and emergency services may be limited. This may mean that reaching medical care takes longer than you might normally expect, or that local medical facilities have fewer resources than those you may be used to at home.

If someone becomes unwell or injured, initial treatment may be provided locally before onward travel to a larger hospital or city for further care. Evacuation could involve changing the planned route or using different forms of transport to reach appropriate medical facilities. Mobile phone coverage may also be intermittent in some locations.

Your guide is trained to manage situations in remote environments and will monitor the group and respond appropriately if any issues arise. However, it’s important that you let your guide know straight away if you feel unwell or experience any health concerns during the trip.

Before booking, consider your personal health and ability to travel in locations where access to medical care may be delayed. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, we recommend seeking advice from a medical professional and discussing them with your host before travelling.

All travellers must have suitable travel insurance that covers the activities included in the trip and emergency medical evacuation if required.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

  • Guided hike along the Tatranska Magistrala trail in the Velicka Valley
  • Guided hike to Velka Svistovka, Green Lake and White Lake
  • Guided hike to Strbske Lake and Popradske Lake
  • Soak in the thermal pools near Levoča
  • Guided hike along the ladders and boardwalks of Sucha Bela Gorge in Slovak Paradise National Park
  • Guided hike along the ladders and boardwalks of Piecky (Fireplace) Gorge
  • Guided hike to a viewpoint in Slovak Paradise National Park

  • Expert, local, English-speaking guides

  • 6 nights in boutique, family-run hotels

  • All (6) buffet-style breakfasts
  • 4 Slovakian dinners

  • Group arrival transfer from Krakow Airport (Poland) on Day 1
  • Group departure transfer to Krakow Airport (Poland) on Day 7
  • All transfers during the trip

  • All permits and entry fees

Where You'll Stay

Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.

  • Tatras Mountains

    Stay

    Tatras Mountains

    While exploring the Tatras Mountains, you'll be staying in the friendly, family-run Penzión Lomnicky in the village of Stará Lesná. The hotel is beautifully presented, with a modern twist on traditional Slovakian style. All rooms are en suite and come with WiFi, towels and a hairdryer.

  • Levoča

    Stay

    Levoča

    While hiking in the Slovak National Park, you'll stay at the Hotel U Leva – a family-run, 3-star hotel in a restored medieval building right in the heart of town. Rooms are en suite and include WiFi, satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel serves a delicious fresh breakfast each day.

    Please note, select departures will stay next door at the Hotel Arkada, which is of a similar standard, or at Podlesok Ranch, which is right at the edge of Slovak Paradise National Park.

What You'll Eat

Each morning you'll tuck in to a sizeable breakfast buffet with more options than you'll possibly need: cereals, muesli and yoghurt, meats, cheeses, salads, breads and eggs, plus cakes, juices and teas and coffees. Your dinners will vary but will foc…

Food and Dietary info

Each morning you'll tuck in to a sizeable breakfast buffet with more options than you'll possibly need: cereals, muesli and yoghurt, meats, cheeses, salads, breads and eggs, plus cakes, juices and teas and coffees. Your dinners will vary but will focus on simple, fresh and hearty Slovakian staples that include pork, poultry, cheese, pastry, potatoes, onions and garlic. Lentil and vegetable stews are also common, as is wild game, pasta and the gnocchi-style dish bryndzove halušky.

Lunches are not included so you are likely to eat at mountain huts on some days and you will need to bring a packed lunch with you on the hike on others. There are packed lunch and snack options available to purchase near to your accommodation. Your guide will provide advice during your trip.

There are a variety of restaurants in Stará Lesná and Levoča, including European-American fusion, pizza, pubs and Italian. It’s possible to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets, just let your host know before arrival.

Optional Extras

Upgrades

Optional Private Room Upgrade
…

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

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

5.052 reviews
  • 3 stars (0)
  • 2 stars (0)
  • 1 star (0)

Category rating

Food
5.0
Guides & crew
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Itinerary
5.0

Latest Reviews

  • Mary M.

    It was a great week! Great guide, great hikes!

  • Michele L.

    Tom was an excellent guide. One of the best that I have encountered. We had rainy weather throughout the week and he was able to juggle the hikes so that we hit all them, just on different days than the planned itinerary. I was very much looking forward to the Ladders and Catwalks and the hikes did not disappoint! So much fun!! And we met some great people from the UK. Keeping the group size to 8 meant we really jelled quickly and everyone had a great time. I will highly recommend Much Better Adventures as the communications were timely, price was fair and clear expectations were set regarding hotels, foods, etc.

  • Ian M.

    Thoroughly enjoyed this trip, which had a variety of interesting and beautiful walks, in the High mountains and in gorges. The guide Tom was excellent, very informative with his thorough knowledge of the area and country, and looked after us attentively, adapting the walks to the conditions and our needs.

  • Deborah W.

    We loved this tour! Tom, our guide was so personable and his knowledge of the trails and the country were greatly appreciated! He did a wonderful job of rescheduling hikes when the weather wasn’t great but he made sure we didn’t miss a trail! He was a lot of fun and was always very helpful! We loved the variety of the hikes, the dinners and the desserts! The medieval dinner was the best! We will definitely be back! Ask for Tom!

  • Maeve R.

    I absolutely loved this trip. Patrik our guide was very professional and brilliant from start to finish. He was funny, caring and a fantastic guide throughout the week. Our group was a perfect size and great fun. The small group size makes for a more fulsome experience. I went on a trip during October and the colours in the National park and the Gorge was beautiful. Slovakia is a fabulous country and well worth a visit. It's a good sign if I'm still buzzing from this trip 2 weeks later. I would definitely book another trip with MBA. Keep up the good work!

  • Leanne S.

    My second trip with MBA and another great adventure that did not disappoint! Scenery was absolutely stunning and the group was good fun. Patrik was a fantastic guide, friendly and knowledgeable. Our plans had to change around due to the weather but Patrik made sure we still got the most out of the week.

  • John B.

    We all had a great time on this hiking adventure. The two locations were both fantastic in different ways and both absolutely great. The bonus of having brilliant sunshine and to be walking throw the snow on day one was a great start and then the thrilling trails through the gorge will stay with me forever. Patrik our guide was spot on in every way, funny, friendly and kind and then adapting and tweeking the trip where necessary to ensure we all had the best trip ever.

  • Denise M.

    This was my third MB adventure and it was wonderful. Small group of just 8 which was perfect - and everyone was supportive and fun. Our guide, Jaro, was passionate about his country and keen that we enjoyed our time there. The accomms were great and their teams were good humoured about (unexpected) requests from the group and in dealing with a few concerns. The hikes were beautiful and a good balance of challenge and a bit easier. Slovakia is a stunning country.

  • Miriam J.

    - the organization was spot on, timing, hotels, chosen hikes. . . . - our guide, Jaro, was patient, competent and fun to spend time with - the group was wonderful, hiking might just attract the right people. . . - last but not least: the food in Slovakia is great Can't complain about anything. I went as a single and was a bit sceptic due to my language skills (coming from Germany). At the arrival I was surprised that many of the group knew each other, but it turned out to be no problem at all. Had a wonderful time.

  • Jo C.

    My trip with Much Better Adventures exceeded all my expectations! The hikes were beautiful, the accommodation was characterful and very comfortable, and I really liked the others in the group. Patrick was a brilliant guide - he took excellent care of us all, and created a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

Customer Photos

5.052 reviews
  • 5 stars (51)
  • 4 stars (1)
  • 3 stars (0)
  • 2 stars (0)
  • 1 star (0)
Showing all 52 reviews

  • Awesome Adventure

    Mary M. June 2026
    It was a great week! Great guide, great hikes!

  • Fantastic Adventure

    Michele L. June 2026
    Tom was an excellent guide. One of the best that I have encountered. We had rainy weather throughout the week and he was able to juggle the hikes so that we hit all them, just on different days than the planned itinerary. I was very much looking forward to the Ladders and Catwalks and the hikes did not disappoint! So much fun!! And we met some great people from the UK. Keeping the group size to 8 meant we really jelled quickly and everyone had a great time. I will highly recommend Much Better Adventures as the communications were timely, price was fair and clear expectations were set regarding hotels, foods, etc.

  • Thoroughly enjoyed this trip, which

    Ian M. June 2026
    Thoroughly enjoyed this trip, which had a variety of interesting and beautiful walks, in the High mountains and in gorges. The guide Tom was excellent, very informative with his thorough knowledge of the area and country, and looked after us attentively, adapting the walks to the conditions and our needs.

  • Awesome Adventure

    Deborah W. June 2026
    We loved this tour! Tom, our guide was so personable and his knowledge of the trails and the country were greatly appreciated! He did a wonderful job of rescheduling hikes when the weather wasn’t great but he made sure we didn’t miss a trail! He was a lot of fun and was always very helpful! We loved the variety of the hikes, the dinners and the desserts! The medieval dinner was the best! We will definitely be back! Ask for Tom!

  • Unforgettable Adventure

    Maeve R. November 2025
    I absolutely loved this trip. Patrik our guide was very professional and brilliant from start to finish. He was funny, caring and a fantastic guide throughout the week. Our group was a perfect size and great fun. The small group size makes for a more fulsome experience. I went on a trip during October and the colours in the National park and the Gorge was beautiful. Slovakia is a fabulous country and well worth a visit. It's a good sign if I'm still buzzing from this trip 2 weeks later. I would definitely book another trip with MBA. Keep up the good work!

  • Stunning!

    Leanne S. October 2025
    My second trip with MBA and another great adventure that did not disappoint! Scenery was absolutely stunning and the group was good fun. Patrik was a fantastic guide, friendly and knowledgeable. Our plans had to change around due to the weather but Patrik made sure we still got the most out of the week.

  • A really great adventure indeed!

    John B. October 2025
    We all had a great time on this hiking adventure. The two locations were both fantastic in different ways and both absolutely great. The bonus of having brilliant sunshine and to be walking throw the snow on day one was a great start and then the thrilling trails through the gorge will stay with me forever. Patrik our guide was spot on in every way, funny, friendly and kind and then adapting and tweeking the trip where necessary to ensure we all had the best trip ever.

  • Fabulous adventure!

    Denise M. October 2025
    This was my third MB adventure and it was wonderful. Small group of just 8 which was perfect - and everyone was supportive and fun. Our guide, Jaro, was passionate about his country and keen that we enjoyed our time there. The accomms were great and their teams were good humoured about (unexpected) requests from the group and in dealing with a few concerns. The hikes were beautiful and a good balance of challenge and a bit easier. Slovakia is a stunning country.

  • perfect week in Slovakia

    Miriam J. September 2025
    - the organization was spot on, timing, hotels, chosen hikes. . . . - our guide, Jaro, was patient, competent and fun to spend time with - the group was wonderful, hiking might just attract the right people. . . - last but not least: the food in Slovakia is great Can't complain about anything. I went as a single and was a bit sceptic due to my language skills (coming from Germany). At the arrival I was surprised that many of the group knew each other, but it turned out to be no problem at all. Had a wonderful time.

  • Fantastic trip

    Jo C. September 2025
    My trip with Much Better Adventures exceeded all my expectations! The hikes were beautiful, the accommodation was characterful and very comfortable, and I really liked the others in the group. Patrick was a brilliant guide - he took excellent care of us all, and created a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

  • Incredible!

    Hester W. September 2025
    Both areas in Slovakia were stunning and had different challenges and rewards. The Tatras provided sweeping vistas and beautiful forests with rocky trails and just enough elevation change to be challenging but not difficult. Cozy & charming mountain lodges seemed spaced perfectly for food, drink, and comfort breaks. Then we moved to the Slovak Paradise area which was probably my favorite. Hiking the gorges with its many ladders, platforms and wood bridges was a unique and exhilarating experience! Overall I can’t say enough positive things about the trip organization, communications, preparatory information and above all, our incredible guide Patrik. He is a proud local and used his knowledge of the terrain and conditions to tailor our hikes to take the best advantage of the weather and views. He was calm, supportive, upbeat and helpful. I especially appreciate the way he prepared us for what was coming and our options at each step. I recommend this trip and our guide Patrik whole heartedly!

  • Incredible

    Sidoniegreig September 2025
    I had an amazing week in Slovakia! Patrick was an awesome guide. It was a really great experience seeing both Tatras Mountains and Paradise national park. Would definitely recommend for any hiking fans!

  • SLOVAKIA IN 6 DAYS

    Jennifer C. September 2025
    This was my first solo trip with Much Better Adventure. The group of people I was with were friendly & genuinely nice to be around. The trip was organised really well. The guide Patrik I actually can't think of any fault at all. He was helpful with everything & went above & beyond to ensure every member of the group had a good time. The hotel accommodation & food was also very good. I had a fantastic time & would recommend anyone to go on this trip. Beautiful scenery & great guide helpful with everything Thank you Jen

  • Fantastic trip

    Laura W. September 2025
    This is a great trip. The hikes were gorgeous, not to mention well-planned and paced - largely in part due to the astute organisation and leadership of our guide Patrik. The hotels had everything you need and the breakfasts and dinners were filling and delicious. There was also thoughtful moments for downtime (thermal pools, access to saunas, time to explore Levoca). Highly recommend.

  • Fantastic week!

    Katie M. September 2025
    I had the most brilliant time on this trip. Slovakia is a beautiful country and the mountains and gorges were amazing. I met a great group of people. We all got along so well and Fero, our guide, was knowledgeable, funny and set a good pace. I’ll definitely be booking another MBA adventure again soon.

  • 5 Stars!

    Shirley Q. September 2025
    I would highly recommend this trip. It's great for anyone new to hiking trips and for solo travellers. The views were stunning and each day was made even better by our friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining guide, Fero. Accommodation and food were good and my specific dietary requirements were well catered for. Overall, an enjoyable trip with MBA and I can't wait to book my next.

  • Amazing trip!

    Michelle A. September 2025
    I had a great trip hiking in beautiful Slovakia. Our guide Fero was the best-he was friendly and funny, always made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, set a good pace, and told us about the history and geology of the areas we were in. Our whole group got along great and made the trip even better! This was my first MBA trip and it won’t be my last. I had such a great time and won’t forget this experience

  • An amazing adventure!

    Carla E. August 2025
    Great trip! The whole week was well organised and adapted to the weather to ensure we enjoyed the best views. I had never visited Slovakia before and have fallen in love with the mountains, waterfalls, meadows and stunning scenery. Huge thanks to our wonderful guide Patrik. He tailored our itinerary to the group and conditions, and kept a comfortable pace throughout. He ensured we had plenty of stops for pictures, snacks and painting breaks for me! He is incredibly knowledgable about the area, friendly and had many good local recommendations to ensure we got the most out of our trip. The accommodation was good and our group’s dietary requirements were well catered for.

  • Great week of hiking and adventure

    Moshin M. August 2025
    Fantastic week with fellow hikers and like minded hikers led by Patrik. Patrik was an exceptional guide thinking of our needs and filling our week with great hikes.

  • Beautiful!

    Emily W. August 2025
    This was my first MBA trip and it exceeded all my expectations. Our guide Patrik was wonderful - he looked after us so well throughout the trip and adjusted the itinerary to best fit the weather each day. I loved all the hiking - beautiful mountains, meadows, lakes and forest plus fun ladders and ledges. My vegan diet was very well catered for. I really enjoyed my week surrounded by such pretty scenery and lovely people and I would 100% recommend this trip.

  • Loved it!

    Lorna M. August 2025
    Brilliant trip! Our guide, Patrik, was amazing. He adjusted the itinerary to best fit the weather so we had the best weather for the hikes we did. Really appreciated that - thanks! This is a beautiful country and this trip offers a great mix of gorge hiking on platforms and ladders vs the amazing views and scenery within the High Tatras - perfect. Really enjoyed it and would love to go back to Slovakia for some more hikes.

  • An absolutely amazing week

    Chen Z. August 2025
    I spent a wonderful week in the mountains of Slovakia. The beauty of High Tatras was breathtaking. The hiking trail - the ladders, exposed platforms and rocks - was challenging but more important, thrilling and enjoyable! Big shout to our brilliant guide Patrik, who worked tirelessly and went above and beyond to make us such a memorable trip, thank you Patrik! Furthermore, we had a super fun and supportive group, everyday was filled with laugh. Highly recommend this trip to anyone fit enough (the walking was long but that's the key to get to those unbeatable viewpoints, all the efforts were worthwhile).

  • This was my first trip

    Louise R. July 2025
    This was my first trip with MBA and it surpassed all my expectations. I wouldn’t change anything about the trip. It was full from start to finish. Our guide Patrik was utterly superb, he managed the trip brilliantly, knowing exactly what to do on each day ( often weather dependant ) . The pace was just right and he even added on extras when time pressures were not a factor. The mix of hiking and gorge walking for me made it a superb , adventurous week with a great group of people and the best guide you could hope to show you this beautiful country.

  • Memorable & Great Value

    John M. July 2025
    A fabulous experience, good accommodation, superbly organised with lots of variety. The stars of the show were the Slovakian scenery, the amazing food, and especially our brilliant guide ‘Patrik’ The way he managed the tour, knowing what to do on what days, and putting everyone at ease, made the trip so enjoyable. Lots of surprises along the way, enjoyed with a friendly & fun crowd, please don’t hesitate to go, you will not regret it!!

  • A perfect week hiking in Slovakia

    Natalie D. July 2025
    From beginning to end this trip was fantastic. Stunning scenery, from mountains to lakes, rivers, forests to relaxing thermal baths, which was a perfect way to end one of our hiking days. Our days were organised to perfection, we were briefed each evening, giving our group of 8, a clear breakdown of what to expect during the course of the next day. Our guide Patrik went above and beyond to make our days enjoyable. The hikes were great, and pace adapted for our group. We sampled lots of local cuisine and beers! Accommodation was clean and comfortable. Patrik was the perfect guide, photographer, chauffeur, and food connoisseur. I can’t recommend this trip enough. Thank you Patrik and MBA.

  • The most beautiful place that no one knows about!

    Millicent H. July 2025
    This trip really put Slovakia on the map for me - I had no idea about its stunning scenery or delicious food until doing this holiday! The landscape is so varied and it felt like every time we turned a corner there was another breathtaking view of the lakes, forest-scapes or mountains. The hiking level was perfect, as we went at a comfortable speed with plenty of time to take in our surroundings, stop for photos (and of course plenty of dumplings and cake!) We all loved Patrik, our guide, who is honestly the most friendly and thoughtful guy with loads of knowledge about Slovakia! He adapted our plan each day to maximise what we could do based on the weather and also organised a brilliant surprise dinner with a medieval Slovakian twist for our final night! I wish I could repeat this holiday all over again, as it really was perfect

  • 5* week spent in Slovakia!!

    Elaine H. July 2025
    Me & my friend Chloe thoroughly enjoyed our week hiking through the Slovakian Tatras! We couldn't have hoped for a better guide. Patrik was brilliant, knowledgeable and just generally lovely to be around. The trip is a good mix of hiking, food, nature and opportunities to experience the local hospitality. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone with a good level of fitness! It has definitely inspired us to book more trips with MBA!

  • Amazing experience in Slovakia with a very professional guide

    Sali M. July 2025
    I just came back from the one week hiking adventure in Slovakia, which allowed me to discover two different parts of Slovakia: from lush forest to emerald lake, from balcony walk to summit panorama, then to the stunning gorge of paradise national park. The whole experience is far beyond my expectation! Our guide Patrik is a very professional, knowledgeable and kind person. He adapted the itinerary everyday intelligently according to the weather forecast. I learned from him lots of things on Slovakian culture, history, society. The accommodation and food are quite good as well. The group size of 8 people is perfect, a good mixture of ages and backgrounds, making this experience more fun!

  • An incredible week in Slovakia

    Anthony M. July 2025
    We recently did the 6 day Slovakian hike incorporating the High Tatras and Paradise National Park. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves hiking in beautiful places with great people. Our guide Tom was the best, patient and attentive to everyone’s needs. He was very knowledgeable about the area and nothing was a problem to him. The accommodation and food options were perfect, and my partner and I had the most amazing time. I really can’t recommend this trip enough. 5 stars!

  • Faultless experience

    Anna C. July 2025
    Recently returned from an amazing week in Slovakia. The 2 centre trip enabled us to enjoy both the breathtaking scenery of the mountains and the more technical trails of the gorges. Our guide Tom went above and beyond to ensure the trip was enjoyed by all. We were a mixture of ages and backgrounds, but Tom regularly checked everyone felt included and would happily adapt plans accordingly. His humour and good nature shined throughout. The man is also a walking history book! Always happy to share his knowledge of Slovakia. I was the only vegan in the group but Tom ensured that wherever we were eating that I was catered for and never made me feel an inconvenience. MBA could also not be faulted. From the moment of booking and throughout the trip the communication was excellent. I would not hesitate to book through them again in the future.

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
Main bag or suitcase Day pack for hiking (20-30 litres)
Waterproof liner for hiking pack

CLOTHES
Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Swimwear for thermal pool
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes for evenings at the hotels

OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Insect repellent Two reusable water bottles x1 litre

OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Trekking poles Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks (opens in new tab)

FAQs

You'll need to bring all your luggage with you, however on each day of hiking your main luggage can be left in the hotels in Stará Lesná and Levoča. You will only need to have a daypack for each day of hiking.

The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 1.5L) to fill up to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some species may be dangerous, venomous, or unpredictable. Sightings are a privilege – but safety is key. Always follow your guide’s instructions and any posted signage.

We recommend considering your comfort around wildlife and discussing any concerns with your host before travel, particularly if you have allergies, phobias, or related health conditions.

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.

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.

The High Tatras in summer are beautiful and relatively warm. From June to August the average daytime temperature on a sunny day can be 20 - 30 °C but it cools down considerably at night time. It rains approximately 12 days each month, totalling 80mm monthly. Spring and autumn temperatures are a little cooler, ranging from 4 – 13 °C, but it is also drier (just 60mm monthly). The Slovak Paradise National Park in summer is at lower elevation so will be a little warmer.

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 153kg 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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Departure dates

  • Sunday 28th June 2026

    to Saturday 4th July 2026

    Last minute - Host approval required

    …

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