Slovakia self-guided walking short break

Planet

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. 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 Park. The pack also has specifics on the rules of the park, 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.

One of the optional activities is a trip to the thermal pools of 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. Using geothermal water and solar energy to heat and power the resort, AquaCity is virtually self-powered, saving around 27 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each day. The centre is successfully reducing energy costs and the savings are returned to customers in the form of affordable ecological luxury.

To reduce plastic we suggest our guests to bring their own reusable bottles.

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. As a base for your walks in Slovak Paradise National Park, we will stay in locally-owned accommodation, which puts money back into the community and supports small Slovakian businesses. Lunches are also 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.

We will use a local transport company to provide transfers to and from your walks. You will stay in the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Levoca, which contributes to its preservation and provides local people with an income through tourism.