We’ve selected five of the best hiking trails and walking routes in Slovakia, using Wikiloc‘s GPS data to provide the most accurate trail maps.
They are all short-distance loop trails with an acceptable difficulty level, which makes them suitable for short breaks and day hikes, and for any kind of hiker or walker. You can download these GPS trails and waypoints from Google Maps.
Bystrá Lávka, near Štrbské Pleso (Prešovský)
Distance: 14 km – Uphill: 981 m – Downhill: 981 m – Time: 5:30/6:50 hrs
Štrbské Pleso with its large glacial mountain lake is a favorite ski and health resort in the High Tatras. It is a starting point for a host of popular hikes.
Hernád – Klásorisko – Kysel, near Hrabušice (Košice)
Distance: 14 km – Uphill: 635 m – Downhill: 633 m – Time: 4:50/5:50 hrs
The Hernád Canyon is a natural gem of the Slovak Paradise National Park, well-known for its gorges and waterfalls, that offer some pretty unusual hiking routes.
Strážov Mountains, near Zliechov (Nitriansky)
Distance: 12 km – Uphill: 939 m – Downhill: 939 m – Time: 4:40/5:40 hrs
The Strážov Mountains are a mountain range in north-western Slovakia. It’s a protected landscape area with many thermal springs and renowned spa centers.
Tlstá Mountain, near Blatnica (Žilinský)
Distance: 11 km – Uphill: 896 m – Downhill: 896 m – Time: 4:40/5:40 hrs
This “fat” mountain, located over the Turiec Valley, is part of the Greater Fatra Range and boasts well-preserved forests, rare plants, and many karst caves.
Tisové Skaly, near Harmónia (Bratislavský)
Distance: 11 km – Uphill: 742 m – Downhill: 742 m – Time: 4:20/5:10 hrs
The Little Carpathians are a low mountain range located in the outskirts of Bratislava. The area is rich in flora and fauna and contains numerous castles.
Best time to go to Slovakia: May-Jul and Sep
Backpacker cost per day: 53 USD = 50 EUR
For more inspiration, check out our Slovakia Travel Guide.
Sources: some text excerpts from Wikipedia; GPS data from Wikiloc.