Tatras mountains walking holiday in Slovakia, centre-based

Planet

Self-guided adventures are small groups by their very nature (it’ll only be you and a few others at most). This is better for the environment and means you get to see more because you can get off-the-beaten track. At the beginning of the holiday, we hand-out a self-guided walking pack, which includes information on how to trek and act responsibly within the national parks. The pack also has specifics on the rules of the parks, and requests that wildlife is not disturbed and plants are not damaged. Our maps clearly detail marked trails, so walking is only done on routes that are allowed, thus maintaining the park’s natural environment.

We use public transport where we can – on this trip you will use trams, cable cars and small buses. This minimises the impact on the environment and saves travellers money. This money can then be spent in other local places, such as a traditional restaurant, thus benefitting the local economy even more.

During the trip, we will visit the Tatra National Park (TANAP). Their undertaking is to protect the park’s nature, flora and fauna, and by being here, we are helping in this mission. Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the youngest national parks in the country, having gained its protected status in 1988. Its mission is to protect the most valuable gorges and valleys. By providing income through tourism, this trip contributes to the preservation of valuable forests, which in turn create a home for rare wildlife. The park is also a member of the Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative which is dedicated to conserving some of the area’s most precious environments and threatened species. One of the optional activities is a trip to AquaCity, Poprad - the first organisation in Central Europe certified by Green Globe. This certificate guarantees that AquaCity keeps the highest environmental standards, and supports the local community and economy.

People

Our company ethos is to organise tours for small groups and individuals so people can experience adventure responsibly. As a local, family-run business, we have built-up fantastic relationships with communities throughout Slovakia, and can provide the opportunity to connect with, and experience, local customs, culture and way-of-life first-hand.

During this self-guided tour, we will only use local services. We will use a local transport company to provide transfers to and from your walks. As a base for your walks, we will stay in locally-owned accommodation, which puts money back into the community and supports small Slovakian businesses. Lunches are provided by the accommodation, providing further economic benefit. We also recommend eating in local restaurants for your dinner, so you can sample delicious local cuisine – we will make recommendations in your self-guided booklet so you know the best ones to choose.

On this holiday, we’ve also included a trek to many different mountain huts, including the oldest hut in the Tatra Mountains, Rainerova. Mountain huts have been part of the fabric of the Tatras’ for years; they’re traditional, welcoming and often have a historic story to tell. By visiting, we help to preserve their heritage for future generations. You will stay in the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Levoca for your walks in Slovak Paradise National Park, which contributes to its preservation and provides local people with an income through tourism.