Richnava, stop – Košická Belá
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Richnava, stop – Košická Belá. Has blue marking (regional route №2821, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route No. 2821. Marking is blue, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 35.9 km. Location: mountain range — Slovak Rudohorie, Slovakia.
At a glance
A route of 35.9 km with 1,446 m of ascent from Richnava, stop to Košická Belá. Estimated walking time: about 11.5 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: blue.
Route stages
- 0–9 kmClimb of 660 m to Rohačka (1,028 m)
- 9–12 kmDescent of 430 m (down to 589 m)
- 12–19 kmGentle ups and downs at 580–790 m
- 19–22 kmDescent of 480 m (down to 292 m)
- 22–31 kmClimb of 480 m to Hut below Spálený vrch
- 31–36 kmDescent of 390 m to Košická Belá
Steepest kilometre: km 3–4, a climb of 210 m (≈21%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 6, 11, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 28. There are no springs between km 11 and 20 — carry at least 1.5 l of water.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Spálený vrch (south-east slope) (km 30).
A possible split into days:
- Day 1: km 0–17, ≈5.5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
- Day 2: km 17–36, ≈5.5 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: Richnava, stop. 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.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 11.5 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 6, 11, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 28. There are no springs between km 11 and 20 — carry at least 1.5 l of water.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Spálený vrch (south-east slope) (km 30).
Water and shelter on the route
- Spring below Koľvekkm 6 from the start · Not verified · 762 m
- Spring near the Troughkm 6.8 from the start · Has water · 861 m
- Justynka Springkm 10.8 from the start · Not verified · 786 m
- Spring below Ostrý hrbkm 20.2 from the start · 190 m off the path · Not verified · 435 m
- Drinking water below Hrabinakm 23.7 from the start · Not verified · 314 m
- Spring below Hrabinakm 24.8 from the start · Not verified · 375 m
- Spring below Sivec (south-east slope)km 26.3 from the start · 70 m off the path · Not verified · 494 m
- Spring below Spálený vrch (north-west slope)km 27.7 from the start · Not verified · 594 m
- Hut below Spálený vrch (south-east slope)km 30 from the start · Not verified · 744 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
HardTwo-dayMarkedRichnava, stop SľubicaElevation profile352–1 129 m20.5 kmascent 1 420 m≈ 8 h walking
ModerateOne-dayMarkedKošická Belá Vyšný KlátovElevation profile369–896 m11.2 kmascent 453 m≈ 3.5 h walking
EasyOne-dayMarkedMargecany, station RoháčkaElevation profile335–1 028 m4.2 kmascent 6 m≈ 1 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineSpišský salaš below Spiš Castle: Spiš cooking since 196417 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.
Cheese dairies & pasturesFarma Kamenica — Family Sheep Farm and Cheese Dairy in Šariš31 km from the trailKamenica is a village in northern Šariš, in the valley of the Kameničanka stream, at about 483 m above sea level.
Crafts & workshopsÚĽUV Craft Centre Košice: craft workshops and folk-art shop33 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...
Crafts & workshopsMacák Pottery on Košice’s Craft Lane: ceramics and courses33 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.
Crafts & workshopsHáj Pottery: wheel-thrown ceramics and wood-fired kilns in Háj33 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...
Horse ridingRanč u Trapera, Podlesok: Horse Rides in the Slovak Paradise41 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.