Špania Dolina – Donovaly, Recreation Center
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Špania Dolina – Donovaly, Recreation Center. Has green marking (regional route №5429, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route No. 5429. The marking is green, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 14.4 km. Location: mountain range — Low Tatras, Slovakia.
At a glance
A one-day route of 14.4 km with 255 m of ascent and 540 m of descent from Donovaly, Recreation Center to Špania Dolina. Estimated walking time: about 4 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: green.
Route stages
- 0–3 kmGentle ups and downs at 970–1,090 m
- 3–6 kmDescent of 150 m (down to 939 m)
- 6–13 kmGentle ups and downs at 930–1,030 m
- 13–14 kmDescent of 240 m to Špania Dolina
Steepest kilometre: km 13–14, a descent of 220 m (≈22%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 2, 3, 10, 11 and 14.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Na Kráme Hut (km 5).
When to go
Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.
Getting there
Start: Donovaly, Recreation Center. This is a one-way route: the finish is 10 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 4 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 2, 3, 10, 11 and 14.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Na Kráme Hut (km 5).
Water and shelter on the route
- Drinking water below Baníkkm 1.6 from the start · 250 m off the path · Not verified · 1 046 m
- Spring below Hrubý vrch (north-east slope)km 2.7 from the start · Not verified · 1 026 m
- Na Kráme Hutkm 5 from the start · Not verified · 980 m
- Podjelenská Springkm 9.8 from the start · Not verified · 1 021 m
- Dolný Šturec Springkm 11.2 from the start · 260 m off the path · Not verified · 936 m
- Dobrá voda Spring, 820 mkm 13.5 from the start · Not verified · 820 m
- Drinking water below Fajtlovákm 14.3 from the start · Not verified · 719 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
EasyOne-dayMarkedDonovaly, Recreation Center Turnoff to KorytnicaElevation profile728–1 015 m4.6 kmascent 27 m≈ 1 h walking
HardMulti-dayMarkedHorná Poruba, U Brdárov Pred ČuntavouElevation profile309–2 004 m241.6 kmascent 15 694 m
ModerateTwo-dayMarkedStaré Hory, near chapel Donovaly, recreational centerElevation profile472–1 111 m19.6 kmascent 605 m≈ 6 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Craft shopsÚĽUV Banská Bystrica: folk-craft shop and craft school17 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...
Craft beer & breweriesUrpiner brewery in Banská Bystrica: tour and beer from the tank20 km from the trailBanská Bystrica is the centre of Central Slovakia and grew rich on copper mining in the 14th–16th centuries.
Craft beer & breweriesURSUS craft brewery, Čutkovská valley23 km from the trailURSUS craft brewery (Remeselný pivovar URSUS) is the first brewery of the town of Ružomberok, tucked away in the picturesque Čutkovská valley in lower Liptov.
Cheese dairies & pasturesSalaš Krajinka near Ružomberok26 km from the trailSalaš Krajinka is a genuine sheep farm on the edge of Ružomberok in lower Liptov. It was founded in 1983 to keep a thousand sheep, and the owners have deliberately...
Cheese dairies & pasturesTuriec bryndza dairy, Turčianske Teplice: bryndza since 191727 km from the trailMore than a hundred years of Turiec bryndza Turiec is a wide basin between the ridges of the Veľká and Malá Fatra, a land of pastures and old sheep farming.
Water parks & thermal poolsSpa & Aquapark Turčianske Teplice27 km from the trailTurčianske Teplice is one of Slovakia’s oldest spa towns. Its warm springs were first mentioned in 1281 in a deed of gift by King Ladislaus IV, and from 1533 they...