Hiking the Carpathians: Budapest to Krakow

While not technically difficult and staying in moderate altitudes, this trip is aimed at those who have at least some experience mountain hiking. We will hike on variable hill and mountain trails, with occasional steep, uneven sections with loose scree, so participants must have good balance and be confident on their feet. Hiking poles are highly recommended. At lower elevations, the trails are usually packed dirt, but higher up they are often much rockier, with occasional sections of rock and loose scree.

We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.

The Carpathians have a temperate continental climate. In Slovakia and Poland, the snowmelt begins in April, with May bringing warmer temperatures. High mountain ridges may still see snow into June. Summers are mild to hot (68F-77F), and short mountain thunderstorms are common, so rain gear should be brought on hikes. Autumn is crisp and colorful, with temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Leaves begin to turn by late September, and higher regions cool quickly by October. Winter brings snow from November through March. Ski resorts operate from December to March.

Our accommodations are in comfortable hotels that are centrally located in the towns and cities that we pass through. Please note that the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.

Carpathian cuisine features savory mountain dishes made with pork, beef, game meat, or poultry, along with root vegetables. Goulash, potato dumplings (halušky), traditional sausages, smoked meats, and local sheep cheeses (bryndza, oštiepok, parenica) are found on many menus. Typical vegetarian dishes include soups of mushroom, sauerkraut, and lentils. Slovak and Hungarian vineyards produce international varietals including Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, along with local specialties such as Tokay.

Our support vehicle will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). In the Tatras, we will use cable cars to access some of the hikes.