Pavol Jozef Šafárik Trail: Rožňava – Nálepkovo
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Pavol Jozef Šafárik Trail: Rožňava – Nálepkovo. Has green marking (regional route №5720, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route No. 5720. The marking is green, with a sign — a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 28.8 km. Location: mountain range — Slovak Ore Mountains, Slovakia.
At a glance
A route of 28.8 km with 1,089 m of ascent from Rožňava to Nálepkovo. Estimated walking time: about 9 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: green.
Route stages
- 0–6 kmGentle ups and downs at 310–450 m
- 6–12 kmClimb of 820 m to Skalisko (1,293 m)
- 12–18 kmDescent of 540 m (down to 730 m)
- 18–29 kmGentle ups and downs at 510–740 m
Steepest kilometre: km 11–12, a climb of 220 m (≈22%), near Volovec Hut.
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 1, 4, 10, 11, 13, 17 and 28. There are no springs between km 17 and 28 — carry at least 2 l of water.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Volovec Hut (km 11).
A possible split into days:
- Day 1: km 0–11, ≈4 h — overnight: Volovec Hut (hut)
- Day 2: km 11–29, ≈5 h — finish
When to go
Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.
Getting there
Start: Rožňava. This is a one-way route: the finish is 21 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 9 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 1, 4, 10, 11, 13, 17 and 28. There are no springs between km 17 and 28 — carry at least 2 l of water.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Volovec Hut (km 11). Possible overnight stops: Volovec Hut (km 11).
Water and shelter on the route
- Drinking water below Kalvária (south-east slope)km 1.1 from the start · 100 m off the path · Not verified · 327 m
- Spring below Dubníkykm 4.2 from the start · 100 m off the path · Not verified · 418 m
- Captured spring Geostudničkakm 10.1 from the start · Not verified · 1 019 m
- Spring below Skalisko (south-west slope), 1 110 mkm 10.9 from the start · Not verified · 1 110 m
- Volovec Hutkm 11 from the start · Standing · 1 130 m
- Spring below Volovec (north slope)km 12.9 from the start · 260 m off the path · Not verified · 1 185 m
- Spring below Volovec (east slope)km 13.7 from the start · Not verified · 1 134 m
- Spring below Kačkakm 16.6 from the start · Not verified · 880 m
- Čurinka Spring, 526 mkm 28 from the start · Not verified · 526 m
Comments
Trails nearby
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All craft places
Craft beer & breweriesKaltenecker Brewery, Rožňava: Gemer craft beer from the source1.4 km from the trailThe modern Kaltenecker brewery was founded in 1997, and from the start it took a different path from the big breweries of the day: instead of one-size-fits-all beer, a...
Markets & fairsGemer Craft Fair at Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka below Krásna Hôrka5 km from the trailKrásnohorská Dlhá Lúka is a village below Krásna Hôrka castle, a few kilometres from Rožňava. In 2002 the Association of Gemer Craftsmen (Združenie gemerských...
Crafts & workshopsHáj Pottery: wheel-thrown ceramics and wood-fired kilns in Háj24 km from the trailAt the back of an old farmhouse here is Háj Pottery (Hájske hrnčiarstvo), run by Amália Holíková. She throws utility ware on the wheel and models it by hand, but her...
Eco farmsČučoriedková záhrada: pick-your-own blueberries and aronia juice35 km from the trailHere in 2010 the owners’ family planted the first Canadian blueberry bushes on a small plot — and gradually grew them into the Čučoriedková záhrada (Blueberry Garden).
Horse ridingRanč u Trapera, Podlesok: Horse Rides in the Slovak Paradise36 km from the trailA little away from the main tourist bustle, below the forest, stands the family-run Ranč u Trapera, run by the Salaj family.
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineSpišský salaš below Spiš Castle: Spiš cooking since 196441 km from the trailBetween Spiš Castle and Spišská Kapitula, at the edge of the plain below the travertine mound of Sivá brada, stands the wooden Spišský salaš.