Do you dream of a breathtaking encounter with the wilderness ? Swap documentaries, artificial attractions or crowded ZOOs for a bear hiking in the middle of the forest and experience the Tatras in a way that only a few people ever get to.
No driving in jeeps, no protection glass or fences. Just you surrounded by the silence of the mountains and the majestic brown bear in the heart of his kingdom – free, wild and within reach.
Why choose us for such forest trip?
Its territory consists of endless Tatra forests and deep, quiet valleys. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the largest European predator. Together with the Tatra chamois, it is the undisputed symbol of the Tatras.
An adult can weigh hundreds of kilograms. Although it appears calm, it can reach incredible speed in an instant. Watching a bear with your own eyes, as it peacefully grazes on blueberries or walks across high mountain meadows, is a moment that stays in your memory deeper than any photo from a textbook.
Our bear-watching adventure begins in the village of Podbanské – a place that is an imaginary gate to the true Tatra wilderness. Here, we leave the rush of the world behind. A journey awaits us through one of the most beautiful Tatra valleys, where the asphalt gives way to a forest path and the silence is broken only by the rustling of trees or by a wild river.
The trail is approximately 7.5 km long one way and leads through the heart of the Tatra Mountain’s untouched wilderness. However, this isn’t just a trip from point A to point B. Your guide will show you signs of animals, stripped tree bark or tracks in the mud, that reveal who walked there before you.
At the same time, you will get to know the diverse flora of the High Tatras – you will learn to recognize mountain flowers, berries, mushrooms and trees that make a home for the Tatra animals.
Did you know that the brown bear had a huge ancestor here? In the Ice Age, the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) inhabited the territory of the Tatras. The proof is unique findings of bones in the Medvedia Cave in the Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise).
The goal is not only bear hiking, but to understand its world. We move at a safe distance, with binoculars in our hands and respect in our hearts. The valley is home not only to bears, but also to unique chamois, shy deer or eagles circling over the ridges. Every watching is different, but thanks to our experience, the chances of you witnessing this natural spectacle are exceptionally high.
There is no set script in nature. Sometimes a bear will show up after an hour, other times you have to wait patiently for an encounter. One thing is certain, though – a day spent in the wild Tatras and their valleys is an experience that will recharge you with energy and change your perspective on Slovak nature.
Are you ready for bear hiking that you do not experience every day? Excellent! Book your date today and see you in the Tatras!
*based on approx. 30 bear hiking per year.
P.S.: before booking please read our CANCELATION POLICY
Level
5
Season
Minimum age
4 years
Type
Active
Duration
7
Availability
June - October
Meeting time strongly depends on the season, on spring we usually meet at 4AM and in autumn we meet at 5:30AM.
Everybody in the group received binocular, our first possible spot to see the brown bear will be in 60 minutes of hike.
We do many stops while on hike, our guide will do his best to find the bear!! Besides bear watching, our guides will teach you names of the flowers, berries, mushrooms and trees growing in western tatra mountains.
Once we find the bear or bears in the valley we stay with them as long as we see them!
We had great hike in fantastic valley with tons of pictures and videos. Your guide will send you his files through online cloud storage:)
