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Nová Kelča, Alpina – Šarišský Štiavnik

Start: Nová Kelča
Range: Low Beskids
Hiking routes of the Slovak Carpathians
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33.2 kmLength
1 133 mAscent
1 071 mDescent
525 mMax. altitude
170 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 Nová Kelča, Alpina – Šarišský Štiavnik. Has blue marking (regional route №2871, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route No. 2871. Marking is blue, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 33.2 km. Location: mountain range — Nizky Beskid, Slovakia.

At a glance

A route of 33.2 km with 1,133 m of ascent from Nová Kelča, Alpina to Šarišský Štiavnik. Estimated walking time: about 10 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: blue.

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: 33.2 km ÷ 4 = 8.3 h + 1,133 m ÷ 600 = 1.9 h, about 10 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. 0–7 kmGentle ups and downs at 170–390 m
  2. 7–9 kmClimb of 190 m (up to 416 m)
  3. 9–11 kmDescent of 150 m (down to 262 m)
  4. 11–26 kmGentle ups and downs at 180–420 m
  5. 26–31 kmClimb of 280 m (up to 519 m)
  6. 31–33 kmDescent of 240 m to Šarišský Štiavnik

Steepest kilometre: km 10–11, a descent of 150 m (≈15%).

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 0 and 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 30 — carry at least 5 l of water.

A possible split into days:

  1. Day 1: km 0–16, ≈5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
  2. Day 2: km 16–33, ≈5 h — finish

When to go

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

Getting there

Start: Nová Kelča, Alpina. This is a one-way route: the finish is 19 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 10 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 0 and 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 30 — carry at least 5 l of water.

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Kyselka I. Mineral Springkm 0.1 from the start · 70 m off the path · Not verified · 173 m
  2. Spring below Baňa (south-east slope), 513 mkm 29.7 from the start · Not verified · 513 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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 beechEuropean beechFagus sylvaticaA tree with light gray smooth bark that forms the Carpathian primeval forests — a UNESCO World Heritage site. It grows up to a height of about 1400 m.
Common hornbeamCommon hornbeamCarpinus betulusA tree with a ribbed silvery-gray trunk. In the Carpathians, it grows in the foothills and lower parts of the mountains alongside beech and oak.
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.

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

Trails nearby

All trails
Svidník – BaňaModerateOne-dayMarkedSvidník BaňaElevation profile222–591 m17.1 kmascent 733 m≈ 5.5 h walkingBaňa – Kozia bradaEasyOne-dayMarkedBaňa Kozia bradaElevation profile198–525 m10.2 kmascent 323 m≈ 3 h walkingDobrá – Bučky – Petkovce – SkrabskéModerateOne-dayMarkedDobrá Skrabskévia Bučky, PetkovceElevation profile161–529 m10.3 kmascent 389 m≈ 3 h walking

Craft nearby

All craft places
Thermalpark Šírava in Kaluža, Zemplínska ŠíravaWater parks & thermal poolsThermalpark Šírava in Kaluža, Zemplínska ŠíravaKaluža37 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.Bieszczadzkie Smaki, Smolnik: bread, liqueurs, preservesCraft producersBieszczadzkie Smaki, Smolnik: bread, liqueurs, preservesSmolnik37 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...Bardejovské Kúpele: Wellness Spa Ozón and summer poolWater parks & thermal poolsBardejovské Kúpele: Wellness Spa Ozón and summer poolBardejov43 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...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.Veraikon Icon Studio, Cisna: Carpathian icons and workshopsCrafts & workshopsVeraikon Icon Studio, Cisna: Carpathian icons and workshopsCisna49 km from the trailThe Veraikon Icon Studio (Pracownia Ikon Veraikon) in Cisna is, in its owners' words, the oldest and largest icon studio in the Bieszczady.Macák Pottery on Košice’s Craft Lane: ceramics and coursesCrafts & workshopsMacák Pottery on Košice’s Craft Lane: ceramics and coursesHrašovík50 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.