Hiking

Hiking is Slovakia’s national sport, and the area of the High and Low Tatras Mountains is paradise for those into alpine-style trekking.

The High Tatras - partly in Poland, but mainly in Slovakia - are a scaled-down version of the Alps, where snow stays all summer atop jagged granite peaks.

A favorite High-Tatras hike, Tatranska Magistrala (40 miles) between Podbanske and Tatranska Lomnica takes four days.

The Low Tatras to the south are no less impressive; a 50-mile ridge path cuts through forested slopes and bare mountain passes.

More verdant are the ridge-top trails that cut through the Mala Fatra National Park, noted for its alpine flora, orchids and bird life and deep narrow gorges. Alternatively, chose to take the well-marked trails through the Slovak Paradise National Park (Slovensky Raj), with some of the finest scenery and wildlife variety in East Slovakia.

Biking

Danube Cycleway (160 miles) is the most popular bike route. It follows Danube River banks through gently undulating countryside via Bratislava to Komarno, before continuing to Gyor and Budapest in Hungary. Another well-marked trail joins Piestany and Zilina (150 miles) along the Vah River.

For fit cyclists, the mountain areas of eastern Slovakia (High & Low Tatras, Mala Fatra and Slovensky Raj) are great for biking.

Bratislava and Gyor are major stopovers for cyclists following the bike paths between Vienna and Prague.

Skiing

The Low and High Tatras mountain areas are laced with a densely interwoven network of 1000 ski-tows (1000) and 30 ski lifts 30. The season is December to early April.

Low Tatras: The best ski area is at Jasna, which has the best downhill runs and cross-country ski tracks. Facilities include 7 chair lifts, 14 ski-tows, 1 cable car, and other features are ski equipment for hire, day- and week- lift passes, and a ski school. Off slope activities include paragliding, thermal pool bathing, and excursions to the Ice Cave. European and World up championship downhill skiing events are held here.

High Tatras: The resort of Strbske Pleso, part of a national park, is considered the best in this ski area. Five lifts (2 cable cars and 3 ski tows) serve the resort, and special features include night skiing, a ski school, ski equipment to hire. Nordic skiers come here to participate in the Tatra Cup competition.