High Tatras National Park, Slovakia / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

1. Decent sized day pack:

Not too big, not too small and preferably with lots of handy compartments. About 50 cl should do it, and if at all possible get a bag which comes with a waterproof cover for all weather conditions.

2. Tent:

The ultimate in outdoor survival, especially if you plan on staying out all night and star gazing. There are plenty of light-weight, waterproof varieties on the market, just make sure the one you buy will fit comfortably into your back pack.

3. Water:

Probably the most important, but sadly the most often overlooked. Taking more than enough is always plentiful, especially if going on a hike, as you just don’t know when you’ll next be able to re-fill.

4. Map:

When you arrive at the park visit the office or wardens cabin and acquire a map, preferably one with hiking trails, that way you won’t have to lay a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way back.

Czech Paradise National Park, The Czech Republic / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

5. Torch:

This one’s mainly for camping purposes, but handy none the less to have on you, you’ll certainly benefit in the caves at Mammoth or Carlsbad Caverns national parks. A head torch is ideal for night time cooking.

6. Synthetics or wool:

Not cotton – because cotton doesn’t stay warm when wet, so if you sweat and it’s cold you won’t be able to keep warm easily. Clothing in general is good to think about – pack lots of thin layers so you can add to your attire if cold, thermals are a great addition for under garments too.

7. Waterproof everything:

Light weight jacket and trousers, because even in America you never know what the weather will be like, and you’d be surprised how wet you can get stood next to the falls of Yosemite, if it’s cold when you visit, you’ll certainly appreciate those waterproof layers.

8. Batteries:

Camera, torch, kindle or whatever else you need batteries for, if you’re stuck in the most beautiful stop in the world without a working camera is probably one of the most excruciating experiences ever. Remember the boy scouts motto and always ‘be prepared’.

When packing for any holiday it’s important to make thorough lists about what you need and what you want, it keeps you focussed on the activities you’ll be doing, and stops you from over packing. One essential piece of advice would be not to pack or buy anything you think you can get cheaper abroad, thermals, water bottles and generally anything you think you can get cheaper where you’re going should be left out if possible, to make more room for other essentials.

Holli likes to travel and in her spare time takes every opportunity to experience the outdoors.

The post 8 Essential Items For Travelers When Visiting Any National Park appeared first on Europe Explored.

Zdiar, High Tatras mountains, Slovakia by admin

Bask in the beauty of Europe’s many idyllic walking locations, with a vast array to chose from you’re spoilt for choice. When walking you’re surrounded by a constant flux of new and enthralling sights, allowing you to interrogate areas and places where a crowded tour bus can’t reach. With a multitude of choice it’s difficult to narrow down where to go, however the following locations are certainly not ones to miss.

Austria’s picture post card worthy Alpine scenery is undeniably one of the world’s most beautiful scenes, and if you’re going on a walking holiday, this is certainly the place to be. The network of beautiful mountains and the glistening lakes exudes a tranquil ambiance, perfect for any walking holiday. You don’t have to be an expert or hardcore enthusiast; if your legs long for a break you can sit back and relax in a cable car, and feast your eyes on breath-taking, unrivalled views. The famous region of Salzgammergut is regarded as one of the worlds most beautiful areas to date, and it’s not difficult to see why with it’s utopian beauty. There’s a lot more to the Austrian Lake District then simply being aesthetically pleasing, for those with a hungry and inquisitive mind there are plenty of wonders to explore such as the Dachstein caves!

Feel as if you’ve stepped in to a different world in Finland’s Taiga forest, a world you’ll find hard to leave behind. A natural bliss, the forest is full of endangered wildlife like the brown bear and wolverine. With such natural wonders out there it’s hard to resist, with a myriad of lakes glistening in the sunlight-it epitomises everything a perfect walking location should be. The range of wildlife watching, and outdoor activities adds an extra element to your walking holiday, creating an abundance of choice and opportunities to keep you busy!

The famous Tatranska Magistrala inspires awe with its beautiful, unrivalled views of the mountains that surround the border between Poland and Slovakia. The red marked trail of Tatranska Magistrala follows the Tatras from east to west, commencing at the Velke Biele. Prepare yourself for a 16 hours walk at least, so make sure you’re equipped with a sturdy pair of hiking boots and rainproof clothing. Popradske Lake is a beautiful attraction of the trail with its clear blue water. The lake has provoked a lot of interest from travellers and walkers alike- since the beginning of the 20th century, memorial signs were scattered across the mountains to mark the memory of those that had lost their lives. It is often regarded as the “symbolic cemetery” and is worth seeing.

It may be amongst the most obvious of choices, however Corsica’s GR20 isn’t any less remarkable. Writer Paddy Dillon deemed the path one of the top paths in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Walk amongst a tranquil path with the stunning backdrop of mountains and valleys. The trail consists of two main parts, divided by the north and the south. Expect unbounded beauty in the north, however prepare yourself for a much more difficult hike with steep and rocky paths. In contrast, the south is a lot simpler and easier to walk- suitable for less experienced hikers. Cirque de la solitude is infamous for it’s risk factor; hikers virtually have to descent 300 vertical metres. Many walkers dread this stage of the trail but agree that the triumphant feeling after completing justifies any previous worry or concern.

The post The best locations for walking enthusiasts in Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DaLee_pl

Pieniny is spread in the northern part of the country called Spiš, in the region of Zamagurie. It is about 30 km long and belongs to Beskydy mountain range. In 1932, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk established here the first international natural park in Europe. It was formed by National park of Pieniny in Poland and Nature Reserve of Pieniny in Slovakia. In 1967 was declared a National Park. Most tourists to Slovakia often stop in the High Tatras Mountains only, without knowing how beautiful nature is hidden behind them.

Pieniny National Park is an area with unspoilt nature, where meadows blend with the forest, villages are subtly incorporated into the landscape. It is a country full of rock formations, amazing rivers and high-mountain streams. Although there are not any high rocky peaks, but anyway this park will enchant everyone who come here. It’s a place where you can still see freely grazing herds of sheep and remote villages where time has stopped tens years ago, both in terms of architectural and cultural. It is not unusual to see a wooden horse-drawn carriages carrying hay, as well as a hundred years ago, or old ladies sitting in traditional festive costumes in the front of their homes.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Emillie & Lloyd

The mountain range is composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones with younger sandstones, shales and conglomerates, which together creates very impressive character. The rugged relief with deep valleys, gorges and remarkable rock formations was created mainly due to the activities of water, frost, erosion and climate fluctuations. There are also numerous cave systems.

Nature in Pieniny National Park is very diverse, with a number of plant and animal species. From the protected animals you can see here such as Goshawk, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, falcon, raven, crayfish or Eurasian Lynx. There are also rare and endemic species, such as springtails, several species of grasshoppers, centipedes and butterflies. The forests are mostly mixed (firs, pine, spruce, beech, maple, and European yew).

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DaLee_pl

Pieniny National Park offers relatively dense network of well marked trails with the possibility to choose the optimal route according to your capabilities. Most famous and most visited area in the Pieniny is certainly Breakthrough of Dunajec, located between the towns Szczawnica and Červený Kláštor. Dunajec river created a wonderful valley and you can try rafting on the wooden rafts here, which is the biggest tourist attraction. When sailing, you can see beautiful surrounding scenery. If you do not like water very much, you can go through the Breakthrough of Dunajec on foot or ride a bike.

The highest peak of Pieniny is Vysoké skalky measuring 1050 meters above sea level and lying at the borders with Poland. The top is beautiful, offering panoramic view of the surroundings. Much better known and more significant, however, are dominant Tri Koruny with a height of 982 meters above sea level, located above the Dunajec river. It is formed by rocky towers, whose walls are about 100 meters high and have the form of a crown. The summit offers a magnificent view over the whole area of ​​Pieniny, Spisska Magura, Belianske Tatras and even the High Tatras.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by tokarcik.tomas

Very interesting is also well preserved folk architecture in the villages Osturňa, Havka, Veľká Lesná and Jezersko.

A large part of the Pieniny National Park is still a God forgotten region, which is accessible to the ordinary tourist, mostly in the summer. There are not any large hotel complexes or resorts. It is ideal for hikers, cyclists, lovers of traditional culture or history, climbers, adventurers or simply for people fleeing from everyday bustle of the city.

View Pieniny – the smallest and second oldest national park in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Pieniny – the smallest and second oldest national park in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

For those who might not know what is it, should be noted that it is a lake of glacial origin. In the Slovak High Tatras there are in a total of 87 glacial lakes, but the most famous one is certainly Štrbské Pleso. It is not the largest or deepest one, nor the highest situated, but it’s just typical.

It lies at the connected point of Furkotská and Mlynická valley at the altitude of 1346.6 metres above sea level. It covers an area of 19.76 hectares and its maximum depth reaches about 20 meters. The lake is almost half of the year covered by ice.

The lakes were created in the Pleistocene by the action of glaciers, which dug them into the valleys. Due to the remoteness and high altitude such lakes have very clean water and are often a home to quite specific types of plants and animals. Štrbské Pleso is home to a fish called European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). This salmon-like fish is still widespread in many countries, but currently it can be found on the Red List of Threatened Species. It has been found yet, that whitefish from Štrbské Pleso is genetically purest of its kind in the world. The lake is also home to several other species of fish, some of them (especially perch and roach) are unfortunately direct food competitors to whitefish. The management of High Tatras national park therefore prepared a program to capture these fish, to save a rare population of whitefish.

In terms of nature is the human presence on the shores of lake negligibly short, but more intense. The first mention of a lake comes from David Frölich in 1644. Later there came hunters, loggers and miners. A lake has almost ceased to exist in 1860. It was due to the residents of nearby Štrba town, who tried to drain the lake and use that “useless puddle” for new pastures! Fortunately, they didn’t do it well …

The same-name settlement of Štrbské Pleso was founded in 1872, when there was a hunting lodge built by Jozef Szentiványi. Other buildings were then built at the instigation of Hungarian Carpathian Association. At present, a town of Štrbské Pleso is a popular winter and summer resort with many hotels and restaurants, and also serves as a climatic spa centre. With its altitude it is also the highest situated resort in Slovakia. There are lots of opportunities for hiking and skiing, including ski lifts and cable cars to Solisko peak.

Despite its mountainous location, you can get to Štrbské Pleso by both road and rail. The main gate to Štrbské Pleso and High Tatras is the city of Poprad where is an international airport as well.

Whether you come to Štrbské Pleso for hiking or skiing, you will be surely surprised with its beauty and surrounding nature. There are lots of hiking trails leading from this place to several important peaks – Kriváň (2,495 m) or Rysy (2,503 m) or you can visit the great 10 metres high waterfall Skok (1,725 m), or another popular lake Popradské pleso (1,494 m).

View Štrbské Pleso – a favorite ski, tourist, and health resort in the High Tatras mountains in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Štrbské Pleso – a favorite ski, tourist, and health resort in the High Tatras mountains in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Author: dysiu

Mylna Cave is situated at an altitude of 1098 metres above sea level. Its total length is 1630 metres, but only 300 metres is open to the public. The temperature in the cave in summer is around 5 °C and in winter drop below freezing. The cave consists of several tunnels that lead into different cavities. Some corridors had to be artificially extended, so the visitors could pass through. There is a small stream flowing through the cavity, which is a home to a unique troglobite – a blind shellfish – Niphargus tatrensis.

It is possible to get to the cave by following the marked hiking trail that leads through the valley up to the cave entrance. If you plan to visit the cave, you must have a reliable flash light. The cave is not lighted, and it happened already several times that the visitors get lost in the dark. Prepare for the narrow passages (sometimes you even have to crawl), slippery rocks and mud in some areas. It is definitely not recommended to enter the cave with large backpacks. You should really wear good shoes and warm clothes. The tour is without guide and takes you about 30 minutes. The arrangement of the corridors is quite complicated, so they are carefully marked. You certainly should not abandon the route. Once you decide to visit a cave, you should also not enter alone or in such case at least let someone know that you intend to visit the cave.

Mylna Cave is accessible throughout the year.

View Mylna Cave – awesome place in Western Tatras mountain in Poland in a larger map

The post Mylna Cave – awesome place in Western Tatras mountain in Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

Aquapark Zakopane offers lots of great water attractions. It is ideal for swimming as it offers a large 25 meters long swimming pool, with a depth between 130 and 150 cm and three swimming lanes. Another recreational pool has been created just for fun. It is equipped with water jets that provide a massage after which you can rest at the deckchairs around the pool.

But its major attraction is a large pool with geothermal water at a temperature of 30.5 °C. It is located on the terrace in front of the aquapark and from it you can enjoy views of the great snowy peaks of the High Tatras. Aquapark also have two water slides with a length of 167 and 106 meters. You can relax in one of the 6 types of whirlpools, where the temperature reaches 36 °C. For enjoying much more fun you can try “wild river”. Aquapark is suitable also for the youngest children and offers a smaller pool with a temperature of 33 °C.

If you get wet or tired at hiking throughout High Tatras, or after a cold day in winter skiing you surely enjoy several types of saunas (Finnish sauna – 96-100 °C, Bio sauna – 65 °C, salt sauna – 30-40 °C, or winter cabin – 10-15 °C). In addition, it has a steam bath and relaxation room.

There is also a modern bowling alley, which is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00. Aquapark Zakopane offers swimming courses and stays for children with defective posture. There are also several restaurants waiting for hungry visitors. Swimming pools at the water park is open from 9.00 to 22.00. Basic admission is 50,00 zł for the whole day.

View Aquapark Zakopane – thermal water park in Poland in a larger map

The post Aquapark Zakopane – thermal water park in Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

If you need relax after hiking or skiing in the High Tatras National Park, or in Slovak Paradise National Park aquapark is a great opportunity. Adults can enjoy the various types of water massage and if you come with the kids, they can try a construction surrounded by twenty fun pools. This attraction is called Mayan pyramid. But beware, those attractions are open only during the summer. Aquapark Poprad is a great place for those who have a sense of humor and taste for a swim.

Aquacity Poprad, Slovakia

AquaCity is also a paradise of warm, geothermal swimming and relaxation pools with water slides, with light and sound effects and laser shows. You can also use the Vitality spa complex world with relaxation rooms, saunas, solarium and snow caves which are great just after sauna. Here you can order a traditional massage, a relaxing herbal massage, reflexology massage, chocolate massage, honey massage, hot stones, lymphatic drainage, yogurt massage, massage with green apple, anti-cellulite massage, Indian massage, Bioptron Light Therapy or peat wrap.

The complex includes three-star hotel AquaCity Seasons and four-star hotel Mountain View with a room overlooking the High Tatras mountains. Hotels offer quality accommodation at very good price. Water parks, resorts and hotels are equipped with a fitness centre, bars, restaurants and extensive business and conference facilities.

Thermal pool, Aquacity Poprad, Slovakia

AquaCity is suitable for families, couples, groups, friends, athletes and business partners on the day, weekend or longer holiday stays.

AquaCity Poprad is open daily from 9am to 10pm. There are several levels of admission fees so it is better to check Aquacity Poprad official website for further information.

Pictures were taken from aquacityresort.com.

The post AquaCity Poprad – a popular thermal aquapark with amazing mountain views | Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Southwest ridge runs across two apparent elevations – i.e. Upper and Lower Priehyba – and ends in afforested Grunik. These routes belong to quite difficult and challenging hikes in the High Tatras and require some physical and technical prowess. The part of the route is fixed and secured with chains. Kriváň peak offers beautiful views. You can see almost the entire ridge of Low Tatras, West Tatras and the Red Hills to the northwest.

You can access Kriváň from several places:

• Tri studničky (following blue-green route, 2h10″/2h30″)
• Štrbské pleso lake (blue-red route, 3h00″/3h30″)
• Pod jamami (blue, 2h45″/3h30″)

Kriváň is not even among the 20 highest peaks in Slovakia (but 27th). But its magical silhouette with noticeably curved top, after which is named, attracted poets, painters and ordinary people since beginning. Lots of myths and legends exist about Kriváň. In the past, it was a symbol of strengthening of the national pride and identity, sometimes abused for political goals.

This massive peak became a symbol of Slovak national consciousness and in 2005 it was decided that it will be displayed on the back of the Slovak euro coins with a face value of 1, 2 and 5 cents.

View Kriváň Peak (2495m) – the symbol of Slovakia in a larger map

The post Kriváň Peak (2494,7m) – the symbol of Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Popradské pleso is also a good starting point for the tours around Mengusovská valley. To Popradské pleso you can get from Štrbské pleso following the marked trail which take approximately two hours of slow walking. Near Popradské pleso there is the symbolic cemetery. In this cemetery there is a monument to victims of the High Tatras. The cemetery is a good idea to show the number of victims who lost their lives in the mountains.

Popradské pleso covers an area of 6.88 hectares and it is 18 meters depth. In the past it was called Rybie pleso (Fish lake), as it was the only mountain-lake in the southern High Tatra Mountains with the natural occurrence of fish. The old name was first used in 1736 by Matej Bel, a prominent Slovak scholar of 18th century.

At the lake you can find Cottage of Popradské pleso where you can buy some refreshments, beer or try Slovak traditional meals (e.g. Bryndzové halušky). You can also book a room here and stay here for few nights. If so, I would recommend you to wake up very early and enjoy the sun-rise.

View Popradské pleso – one of the most popular place in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Popradské pleso – one of the most popular places in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

The first ascent to the summit took place in 1855, although it was reportedly done in 1834, when Ján Still (teacher in Catholic school in Nová Lesná) got here.

Gerlachovský štít is accessible by two major routes. The first comes from Velická valley from Sliezský dom (house of Silesia). The trip takes about 4 hours. Another route is recommended for the descent. It leads through Batizovská valley, back to Sliezský dom.

Hiking to Gerlachovský štít is permitted only with a mountain guide, who can be ordered in the Association of Mountain Guides in Slovakia.

View Gerlachovský štít – the highest peak of Slovakia in a larger map

The post Gerlachovský štít – the highest peak of Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.