12/09/2023 – 15/09/2023

We headed from Bratislava way east into Slovakia, destination, the High Tatras.

On the way, we did some detours into Banska Stiavnica and Bankska Bystrica, the latter being a nice town with a well-renovated town square and castle. We made it into Stary Smokovec late afternoon and soaked up the glorious mountains at our doorstep.

The next day while Kate opted to visit nearby Spis Castle, I decided to go on a crazy hike. Not too crazy, but a 7 hour hike to nearby Slokovsky Stit, a 2400m peak in the mountains. With Stary Smokovec at a paltry 1000m, it was quite the elevation gain! It was pretty tough for someone not at peak fitness, but I made it fairly easily and enjoyed the incredible views from up high. Down as a different challenge, with the path incredibly rocky. Some well earned time in the hotel saunas that night!

Sadly the next day’s plans went awry, with rain having settled in. Booo. Out first day of rain, so we had been pretty fortunate, but it meant we couldn’t really get out and hike much given some of the paths were slippery. Oh well. It meant that a forced rest day was not the worst, and we could still get out and about a little.

Now off to Vienna!