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Giraltovce – Matiaška

Start: Matiaška
Range: Low Beskids
Hiking routes of the Slovak Carpathians
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11.5 kmLength
288 mAscent
311 mDescent
429 mMax. altitude
188 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 Giraltovce – Matiaška. Has green marking (regional route №5752, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route No. 5752. The marking is green, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. The length of the route is 11.5 km. Location: mountain range — Nizky Beskid, Slovakia.

At a glance

A one-day route of 11.5 km with 288 m of ascent from Giraltovce to Matiaška. Estimated walking time: about 3.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: green.

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: 11.5 km ÷ 4 = 2.9 h + 288 m ÷ 600 = 0.5 h, about 3.5 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 kmGentle ups and downs at 210–260 m
  2. 2–4 kmClimb of 150 m (up to 406 m)
  3. 4–9 kmGentle ups and downs at 340–430 m
  4. 9–12 kmDescent of 160 m to Matiaška

Steepest kilometre: km 2–3, a climb of 120 m (≈12%).

Water and overnight stays

Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 2 l).

When to go

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

Getting there

Start: Giraltovce. This is a one-way route: the finish is 8 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 3.5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 2 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.
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.
European larchin seasonIn season nowEuropean larchLarix deciduaThe only coniferous species in Ukraine that sheds its needles in autumn. There are very few natural larches in the Ukrainian Carpathians — most are planted.
Common buzzardCommon buzzardButeo buteoThe most numerous bird of prey in Ukraine. It circles over the polonynas and meadows with a mournful 'ki-ya' and hunts for voles.
Black woodpeckerIn season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.

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

Trails nearby

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Craft nearby

All craft places
Bardejovské Kúpele: Wellness Spa Ozón and summer poolWater parks & thermal poolsBardejovské Kúpele: Wellness Spa Ozón and summer poolBardejov37 km from the trailBardejovské Kúpele is one of Slovakia’s oldest spas, a part of the town of Bardejov about 5 km from its centre, in a valley under the Magura massif that shelters it...Thermalpark Šírava in Kaluža, Zemplínska ŠíravaWater parks & thermal poolsThermalpark Šírava in Kaluža, Zemplínska ŠíravaKaluža42 km from the trailThermalpark Šírava (Thermalpark ŠÍRAVA) stands in the village of Kaluža on the northern shore of the Zemplínska Šírava — a large reservoir in eastern Slovakia.Macák Pottery on Košice’s Craft Lane: ceramics and coursesCrafts & workshopsMacák Pottery on Košice’s Craft Lane: ceramics and coursesHrašovík44 km from the trailHrnčiarska Street in Košice old town is known as the "Craft Lane" (Ulička remesiel): craftspeople work in small houses below the walls of the former town fortifications.Bieszczadzkie Smaki, Smolnik: bread, liqueurs, preservesCraft producersBieszczadzkie Smaki, Smolnik: bread, liqueurs, preservesSmolnik44 km from the trailBieszczadzkie Smaki (“Bieszczady Flavours”) is a family producer of natural foods in the village of Smolnik on the Osława river, Komańcza municipality, on the western...ÚĽUV Craft Centre Košice: craft workshops and folk-art shopCrafts & workshopsÚĽUV Craft Centre Košice: craft workshops and folk-art shopBaška45 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...FIGA Organic Goat Cheese Farm, Mszana near DuklaCheese dairies & pasturesFIGA Organic Goat Cheese Farm, Mszana near DuklaMszana47 km from the trailThe FIGA organic family farm in the Lemko village of Mszana near Dukla is one of Poland's oldest goat cheese dairies.