Plan
Before the first mark
When to go, how the marks work, where to find water and a bed, and what to put in your pack. Anything else, ask us below.
When to go
- January: Not recommended.Snow on every ridge
- February: Not recommended.Snow on every ridge
- March: Not recommended.Snow and mud
- April: Possible.Low hills only
- May: Possible.West and east; snow on the Tatras
- June: Best.Long days, flower meadows
- July: Best.Storms in the afternoons
- August: Best.Busy huts: book ahead
- September: Best.Clear and quiet
- October: Possible.Short days, first snow up high
- November: Not recommended.Fog and early snow
- December: Not recommended.Snow on every ridge
Follow the red mark
Slovak trails are marked with a coloured stripe between two white ones, painted on trees, rocks and posts. The Heroes' Trail is red the whole way, the colour of the main long-distance routes.
- Stripe
- The trail goes on: look for the next one ahead
- Arrow
- The trail turns
- Signpost
- Junction with times to the next places
- No mark for a while
- Go back to the last one you saw
- Water
- Plenty in the west and east, scarce on the ridges of the Low Tatras and the Ore Mountains. Each stage page says where to fill up.
- Shelters
- Simple mountain shelters (útulne) stand on the high ridges; they are free, first come, first served. Bring a sleeping bag and leave them clean.
- Getting there
- Trains run to Bratislava; city buses go to Devín. From Dukla, buses run to Svidník and on to Prešov and Košice.
- Bears
- Brown bears live in the Slovak mountains. Make some noise in thick forest, keep food in your tent's porch or hang it, and never feed wildlife.
- Emergencies
- Mountain rescue: 18 300. General emergencies: 112. Save both before you go.
What to pack
- A 35–45 litre pack
- Broken-in boots or trail shoes
- Rain jacket and trousers
- A warm layer for the ridges
- Sun hat and sun cream
- Two litres of water capacity
- A light sleeping bag for the shelters
- Headlamp
- Offline maps and a paper map
- First aid kit and blister care
- Cash for huts and villages
- The trail passport
Ask us anything
Questions about a stage, the season or a guided week: we answer within two working days.
hello@trailmark.example+421 48 000 1944Questions
Why is it called the Heroes' Trail?
Its full name, Cesta hrdinov SNP, means the Trail of the Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), the rising against the wartime Slovak state and the German army in 1944. The trail links places of the uprising and ends at the Dukla Pass memorial.
How long does the whole trail take?
Most people who walk it in one go take four to five weeks, with a few rest days. Our 29 stages add up to a little over four weeks of walking.
Which way should I walk?
Either. Most hikers start at Devín and walk east, saving the memorial at Dukla for the end; this site lists the stages in that direction.
Can I camp?
Rules differ between protected areas and change over time. Use shelters, huts and campsites where you can, and check the rules of each national park before you pitch a tent.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is needed to walk the trail. Some huts and shelters ask for a small fee or a donation.