Hungary, Slovakia, Poland Walking
From Budapest to Krakow with a Hike Over the Tatras
Forget the song, the world is not small. It is grand. Majestic. And every step of this trip will remind you of that. Budapest, a bustling city far from the likes of Western Europe. Every path you take is unexpected - medieval castles, the beautiful Tatras ranges, historic communist cities, quiet eastern European people. And Kraków, a city full of culture, fashion and surprise. It's the perfect end to an amazing journey and a brilliant reminder that it's a grand world, after all.
- Idyllic walks among authentic medieval towns and castles
- Traverse the High Tatras
- Taste Tokaj wines in Hungary and infused vodkas in Poland
- The magnificent historic center of Kraków
- Delve into 12th-century Spis Castle
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Idyllic walks among authentic medieval towns and castles far off the beaten path 
Hike gentle hills in Slovakia's Stiavnica Mountains, the caldera of a collapsed volcano Take in 360-degree panoramas of mountains and lakes en route to Banská Stiavnica, a preserved medieval mining town with elegant architecture and cobblestone lanes.
Day 2 Ride a chairlift to the Low Tatras and the south face of the Nizke Tatry Enjoy superb valley views hiking a forested trail to an alpine chalet Relax over a traditional hiker's lunch.
Days 3-4 Górale (highlander) traditions and cuisine, including oscypek, a delicious smoked cheese Choose an easygoing route through spruce forests, across creeks and past waterfalls or a more technical hike above timberline in the High Tatras Sample vodkas, flavored with everything from horseradish to plum, in vibrant Zakopane, Poland's winter sports capital.
Days 5-6 Experience one of Europe's most spectacular hikes in the High Tatras, hailed as the continent's grandest range after the Alps Ascend by gondola to Kasprowy Wierch for a challenging hike among granite spires and glacial lakes Need a boost? Try Polish-style coffee - thick, strong and enjoyed black with lots of sugar Enjoy an easygoing stroll through the countryside, accompanied by farmers tending their sheep Our adventure wraps up in Kraków, anchored by Europe's largest market square, dating from the 13th century.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I loved it! Having never been on a Backroads trip before, I imagined great things and my expectations were even surpassed. In spite of the fact that this was the first running of the trip, everything seemed to be well organized. Even the weather cooperated. We are already looking at the Backroads catalog to find a trip for next year.- Wellesley, MA All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland Walking
Premiere Inns*
Hotel Grand Matej
Banská Stiavnica (1 night) A modest hotel in the heart of town with a contemporary interior.
* Casual Inn
Grand Castle Hotel
Liptovsky Hrádok (2 nights) A romantic 14th-century stone castle with forested surroundings (pool, spa).
Hotel Belvedere
Zakopane (2 nights) Savor views of the Tatras from this upscale hotel with 1920s architecture and décor. (pool, spa)
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland Walking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2
1 Route Option Available
- 6.2 miles
- 0 - 1,350 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 6.7 miles
- 1,500 -1640 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 2.9 miles
- 600 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 6.5, 10.6 miles
- 1200 - 1500 feet elevation gain, significant elevation loss
Day 5
- Level 2 2 Route Options Available
- 5.8, 6.5 miles
- 980 - 1480 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 5 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain