Banská Bystrica – Špania Dolina
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Banská Bystrica – Špania Dolina. Has green marking (local route №5223N, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked local tourist route No. 5223N. The marking is green, the sign is a diagonal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 11 km. Location: mountain range — Low Tatras, Slovakia.
At a glance
A one-day route of 11 km with 619 m of ascent from Banská Bystrica to Špania Dolina. Estimated walking time: about 4 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: green.
Route stages
- 0–4 kmClimb of 420 m (up to 898 m)
- 4–10 kmGentle ups and downs at 890–1,010 m, past Horný diel
- 10–11 kmDescent of 240 m to Špania Dolina
Steepest kilometre: km 10–11, a descent of 210 m (≈21%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 2, 4 and 10.
When to go
Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.
Getting there
Start: Banská Bystrica. This is a one-way route: the finish is 5 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 4 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 2, 4 and 10.
Water and shelter on the route
- Hornolazianska Springkm 1.8 from the start · 90 m off the path · Not verified · 650 m
- Predná Vápenná Springkm 3.9 from the start · Not verified · 908 m
- Dobrá voda Spring, 820 mkm 10.1 from the start · Not verified · 820 m
- Drinking water below Fajtlovákm 10.9 from the start · Not verified · 719 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
ModerateOne-dayMarkedBanská Bystrica, Pieninská Staré Hory, by the chapelElevation profile466–1 100 m15.8 kmascent 785 m≈ 5.5 h walking
EasyOne-dayMarkedPartizánsky chodníkElevation profile472–978 m10.8 kmascent 277 m≈ 3.5 h walking
EasyOne-dayMarkedPanský diel SelceElevation profile388–959 m7.3 kmascent 81 m≈ 2 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Craft shopsÚĽUV Banská Bystrica: folk-craft shop and craft schoolBanská Bystrica3.4 km from the trailÚĽUV (Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby, the Centre for Folk Art Production) is a state institution that has looked after Slovak folk crafts since 1945: it keeps a...
Craft beer & breweriesUrpiner brewery in Banská Bystrica: tour and beer from the tankBanská Bystrica6.9 km from the trailBanská Bystrica is the centre of Central Slovakia and grew rich on copper mining in the 14th–16th centuries.
Water parks & thermal poolsSliač spa: warm carbonated water and a thermal swimming areaSliač17 km from the trailSliač is a spa in the Zvolen Basin above the Hron valley, between Zvolen and Banská Bystrica. The spa quarter with its 46-hectare park lies on a slope above the former...
Water parks & thermal poolsBrusno Spa: mineral springs, treatments and Caracalla SpaBrusno18 km from the trailBrusno Spa (Kúpele Brusno) lies in the Hron valley (Horehronie), about 20 km north-east of Banská Bystrica, on the northern slopes of the Vepor massif in the Slovak...
Water parks & thermal poolsKováčová: thermal spa and Holidaypark aquapark near ZvolenKováčová18 km from the trailKováčová is a spa village on the south-western edge of the Zvolen Basin, 4 km west of Zvolen at the foot of the Kremnica Mountains; the village centre lies at 303 m.
Craft producersKremnica gingerbread: the Haurík family bakery since 1922Kremnica19 km from the trailKremnica is an old mining town in the Kremnica Mountains where coins have been struck for more than six centuries.