Ore Trails

8days/7nights

wonderful biking,

historical towns,

spectacular monuments, castles,

lakes, Harmanecká cave, beautiful scenery,

superb cuisine... fun!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Budapest; transfer

to Banská Štiavnica(UNESCO); bike setup; welcome dinner. [D]

Day 2: Biking around seven lakes(Tajchs) - part of a unique water management system (UNESCO World Heritage) which organically blends into the landscape; Guided tour of the town; [B,L,D]

Day 3: Great ride on the MTB marathon trail partly following the ancient rainfall collection canals on the hillsides which provide plenty of forrest trails and singletrack; visit to open air mining museum and an authentic historic mine. [B,P,D]

Day 4: Day at leisure - optional biking in the Štiavnické hills pass the remote settlements, hike to Mt. Sitno or relax in thermal spa; BBQ. [B,D]

Day 5: Kremnica town tour, visit the exposition in the mint; biking across the ridge of Kremnické hills to Banská Bystrica; en route stop at the wooden church

in Hronsek. [B,P,D]

Day 6: Ride through Starohorské hills;

visit Špania Dolina and Donovaly resort.[B,P,D]

Day 7: Challenging ride up to the King's Well in Veľká Fatra National Park; visit Harmanecká cave; return to Banská Bystrica by train traversing the lush green hills and passing through 18 tunnels. [B,P,D]

Day 8: Transfer to Budapest; optional city tour; end of the trip. [B]

This tour includes:

Professional bilingual guide, support staff

Airport transfers, local interconnecting transfers and luggage transportation

Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions - rooms with en suite facilities

Meals: 7 buffet breakfasts[B], 7 dinners[D], 1 lunch[L] and 4 packed meals[P]

Town maps

Quality bike rental

Entrance fees to castles, museums, cave and other select attractions

Not included:

Round-trip airfare, travel insurance, visas, alcoholic beverages, optional gratuities to guides and staff and the optional tour of Budapest

Group size:

4 - 12 people

Route rating:

Moderate Plus - biking covers 20-30 miles (30-50 km) most days although same itinerary allows shorter or extended options. Rides include sections over rough ground, loose stones and narrow tracks and some thougher climbs too. Daily elevation change can range from 2000 to 5000 feet (650-1600 m). This trip is for regular bikers or fit travellers with at least basic off-road mountain biking skills.

Weather:

Slovakia has moderate continental climate. Prime visiting months are May through September with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to the lower 80s (14 - 28°C). October is cooler, usually bringing first frosts in the mountain heights but also the most spectacular autumnal colours and often a beautiful Indian summer.