To get a better feel for the countryside in Slovakia have a look at an article in the July 2006 issue of the
Outdoor Photography magazine.
Krize is in a special position for walking,
since it lies at the crossing of two long distance European walking trails E3 and E8.
The trails around Krize were first extensively used during the second world war.
They were the main supply routes from Russia for the partisans preparing the Slovak national uprising.
At that time my father was based in Presov, a town on the southern tip of the Cergov forest range,
where he arranged hiding for partisans passing through.
A monument to the partisans stands on a hill overlooking Krize.
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Slovakia countryside
Outdoor Photography magazine, July 2006 |
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Spis castle in the misty background
Outdoor Photography magazine, July 2006 |
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The walk up to the
monument at Krize
and back takes about 40 minutes.
To the
ski slopes
and back about 1 hour 30 minutes.
The walking paths to the neighbouring villages of
Hervartov
and
Livov
are about 2 - 3 hours long.
For a day's outing there is a circular walk, you can stop for lunch at the hiking hostel at
Cergov peak,
go out on the long distance walking trail E8 and come back on E3, or vice-versa.
Walking around Krize you are likely to see unusual wild flowers, butterflies,
birds
and
fish.
If you have someone to pick you up at the end of a 4 - 8 hours walk then try some of the following walking trails.
The walking trail to the small town of Sabinov, stopping at a skiing hostel at
Lysa peak;
or to the village of Obrucne on the Polish border along the walking trail E3, stopping at
Mincol peak;
or along the walking trail E8 to the outskirts of Bardejov to
hotel Bellevue,
where you can have a relaxing swim in an indoor
swimming pool,
followed by dinner.
For young children and older people there are less demanding walks in and around
Bardejov Spa,
as well as facilities for
sport,
recreation
and
rest.
Alternatively, drive to the villages Hervartov, Lukov, Fricka or Kozany
for a gentle walk to see their ancient
wooden churches.
At the other extreme, you can drive to the villages Zborov, Plavec, Kapusany or Spiska Kapitula and
climb up to the ruins of their
medieval castles,
that may take an hour or so of vigorous climbing.
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There are eleven
European long distance paths E1 - E11
designated by the European Ramblers' Association.
Walking path E3 runs from the Atlantic Coast in Spain to the Black Sea in Bulgaria.
Walking path E8 runs from the Atlantic Coast in Ireland to the Black Sea in Turkey.
The tables below provide information about walking trails E3 and E8.
It was compiled from information published by the European Ramblers' Association,
Ramblers Association of the UK, Hiking Association of Slovakia and of other countries,
as well as walking maps for east Slovakia and my own experience of walking in the Cergov forest range.
I hope you will find it useful in planning your walking holidays in Slovakia.
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| Long distance European walking trails |
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Country |
Town, landmark |
Distance from
border |
Distance from
start |
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Spain |
Santiago de Compostela,
Atlantic Coast |
0 km |
0 km |
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Burgos |
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Roncevalles |
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Country |
Town, landmark |
Distance from
border |
Distance from
start |
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Ireland |
Dursey Head,
Cork,
Atlantic Coast |
0 km |
0 km |
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Dublin |
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England
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Liverpool |
0
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