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Banská Bystrica – Podryba

Start: Banská Bystrica
Range: Low Tatras
Hiking routes of the Slovak Carpathians
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6.1 kmLength
398 mAscent
253 mDescent
569 mMax. altitude
353 mMin. altitude

Trail map

Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences

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About the trail

Route Banská Bystrica – Podryba. Has yellow marking (regional route №8437, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route No. 8437. The marking is yellow, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. The length of the route is 6.1 km. Location: mountain range — Low Tatras, Slovakia.

Attention: part of the route has not yet been mapped in OpenStreetMap, so the line on the map has gaps. On the ground, orient yourself by the marking signs.

At a glance

A short route of 6.1 km with 398 m of ascent from Banská Bystrica to Podryba. Estimated walking time: about 2 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: easy. Waymarking: yellow.

How we estimate walking time

By Naismith's rule, used by mountain clubs and guidebooks: an average hiker walks 4 km an hour on the flat and needs one more hour for every 600 m of ascent. For this trail: 6.1 km ÷ 4 = 1.5 h + 398 m ÷ 600 = 0.7 h, about 2 h of walking in total.

  • Breaks, snacks and photos: add 20–30 %.
  • A heavy pack, children, snow, a wet path or windfall add more; a long steep descent also takes time, especially for the knees.
  • The height of the Carpathians (up to 2,655 m) hardly changes the pace — on the ridges wind, fog and weather slow you down.
  • Limits: up to 9 h is one day; 9–13 h is a very long day or two; over 13 h means several days with overnight stays.

Route stages

  1. 0–2 kmClimb of 200 m (up to 560 m)
  2. 2–3 kmDescent of 100 m (down to 459 m)
  3. 3–4 kmGentle ups and downs at 450–490 m, past Urpín
  4. 4–5 kmDescent of 110 m to ÚĽUV Banská Bystrica: folk-craft shop and craft school
  5. 5–6 kmClimb of 110 m (up to 488 m)

Steepest kilometre: km 2.5–3.5, a descent of 120 m (≈15%).

Water and overnight stays

Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 1.5 l).

When to go

The route can be walked most of the year; it is most comfortable from April to October.

Getting there

Start: Banská Bystrica. This is a one-way route: the finish is 2 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?
Estimated walking time: about 2 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 1.5 l).
Walk this route in 3DReal terrain, satellite map, Carpathian forests Play

Comments and trail condition

Travellers’ experience: reports, tips, questions.

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Wildlife along the route

All
St John's wortin seasonIn season nowSt John's wortHypericum perforatumYellow inflorescences on dry meadows and forest edges; leaves appear to be pierced with a needle. Blooms from June to August; a traditional herb for tea.
Blackthornfruit nowEdibleBlackthornPrunus spinosaA spiny bush that turns white with flowers in spring before the leaves appear. The tart blue-black fruits sweeten after the first frosts.
Wild boarWild boarSus scrofaWild boar is a common inhabitant of the Carpathian forests. A female with piglets can be dangerous: do not approach.
Yarrowin seasonIn season nowYarrowAchillea millefoliumWhite clusters of small flower heads and feathery leaves on every meadow — from the village to the polonyna. Blooms from June to September.
Great titIn season nowGreat titParus majorThe largest and most common tit: black head, white cheeks, yellow belly with a black stripe. It lives in the Carpathians all year round.
Eurasian nuthatchIn season nowEurasian nuthatchSitta europaeaThe only bird in our forests that descends the trunk headfirst. It whistles loudly in old forests and muds the entrance to its hole.

Based on naturalists’ records nearby (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude, habitat and season. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Trails nearby

All trails
Banská Bystrica, Podryba – Ponická LehôtkaModerateOne-dayMarkedBanská Bystrica, Podryba Ponická LehôtkaElevation profile350–663 m16.4 kmascent 428 m≈ 5 h walkingRadvaň – VartovkaEasyOne-dayMarkedRadvaň VartovkaElevation profile337–519 m3.5 kmascent 322 m≈ 1.5 h walkingBanská Bystrica, Podryba – Stará kopa (loop)EasyOne-dayMarkedBanská Bystrica, Podryba Stará kopa (loop)Elevation profile353–713 m7.9 kmascent 402 m≈ 2.5 h walking

Craft nearby

All craft places
ÚĽUV Banská Bystrica: folk-craft shop and craft schoolCraft shopsÚĽUV Banská Bystrica: folk-craft shop and craft schoolBanská Bystrica1.6 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...Urpiner brewery in Banská Bystrica: tour and beer from the tankCraft beer & breweriesUrpiner brewery in Banská Bystrica: tour and beer from the tankBanská Bystrica3.7 km from the trailBanská Bystrica is the centre of Central Slovakia and grew rich on copper mining in the 14th–16th centuries.Sliač spa: warm carbonated water and a thermal swimming areaWater parks & thermal poolsSliač spa: warm carbonated water and a thermal swimming areaSliač13 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...Kováčová: thermal spa and Holidaypark aquapark near ZvolenWater parks & thermal poolsKováčová: thermal spa and Holidaypark aquapark near ZvolenKováčová14 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.Brusno Spa: mineral springs, treatments and Caracalla SpaWater 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...Kremnica gingerbread: the Haurík family bakery since 1922Craft producersKremnica gingerbread: the Haurík family bakery since 1922Kremnica18 km from the trailKremnica is an old mining town in the Kremnica Mountains where coins have been struck for more than six centuries.