1-Day Hike to Mala Studena in the High Tatras of Slovakia

Our group of four had an amazing day on the Via Ferrata in Veľký Kyseľ Slovak Paradise with Marcel, and it became the highlight of our holiday. It was our first time ever on a via ferrata, and this one was a great choice – manageable for us as beginners as well as technically exciting with beautiful nature views. A big thanks for this amazing experience to our via ferrata guide – Marcel. We got inspired for more via ferratas in the future. Marcel is an exceptionally professional, knowledgeable and caring mountain guide. He made us feel safe and confident throughout the whole trip while creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with his great sense of humour. He shared so many stories about the history of the area, as well as its flora and fauna, which made the experience much more than just a hike. As rather introverted people, we especially appreciated how easy and comfortable Marcel was to interact with. We never felt rushed or pressured, and he was always attentive, supportive, but at the same time relaxed during the moments when we were just enjoying nature in silence. A lovely bonus was that he also took and shared beautiful photos from the day, which was more than we expected and something we really appreciated. Even days later we kept saying, "Marcel told us this..." or "Marcel showed us that...", which says a lot about the lasting impression he made. We all returned home with wonderful memories and would wholeheartedly recommend Marcel to anyone looking for a professional, friendly and passionate mountain guide. Also – the Veľký Kyseľ via ferrata for beginners / families, looking for new kind of adventures. Thank you again for an unforgettable experience!

A truly fantastic, unique and memorable trip! We have spent three unforgettable days conquering 2 mountains and ferratas. Marcel was a great guide, perfectly balancing between challenging us, but also adjusting everything to our needs. I have never felt more like Bilbo Baggins going on an adventure, following the wise Gandalf :)

The first day we went up Svistovy Stit. It was perfect, Marcel adapted the pace to match our group's abilities making it both challenging and rewarding when we got to the top! The views were incredible. The Second day we submitted the Rysy from the Slovakian side. I particularly enjoyed the climbing to the very peak and seeing the view from up there was definitely one of the best moments of the trip. The third day was for Via Ferrata, which was more relaxing after 2 days of intense hiking and much appreciated, but also perhaps the most fun. Overall the experience was unforgettable in the best way possible. Can't wait for the next trip!

Marcel is a brilliant guide who genuinely knows the High Tatras like they’re part of his daily rhythm. You can tell straight away this isn’t seasonal experience for him, it’s years of being out there constantly, reading the mountains, weather, and conditions in real time and adjusting everything so the days run smoothly and safely without ever feeling forced. We ended up doing three full days back to back: Svišťový štít, Rysy, and then Ferrata Kysel’ over in Slovak Paradise. Each day had a completely different feel. Rysy especially is a big one, one of the highest accessible peaks in the Tatras at just under 2,500m, and it really gives you that long sustained climb with a proper summit payoff. Svišťový štít felt quieter but still very “real mountain” in terms of effort and terrain. Then Ferrata Kysel’ was almost a reset in style, moving through a gorge system with ladders, water, and rock walls instead of long alpine ascent. It’s the kind of route that feels playful compared to the height gain of the Tatras, but still technical enough to keep it exciting. One thing I’d honestly say for anyone planning something similar: stacking days like this is very doable, but it’s intense. Some of the hikes are around 20–21 km with close to 1,000m of elevation gain, and doing that repeatedly back to back catches up with you. If you’re reasonably fit, it can actually be better to either pick one main objective per day or build in a recovery day in between so you can actually enjoy each route rather than just pushing through fatigue.

Marcel is a brilliant guide who genuinely knows the High Tatras like they’re part of his daily rhythm. You can tell straight away this isn’t seasonal experience for him, it’s years of being out there constantly, reading the mountains, weather, and conditions in real time and adjusting everything so the days run smoothly and safely without ever feeling forced. We ended up doing three full days back to back: Svišťový štít, Rysy, and then Ferrata Kysel’ over in Slovak Paradise. Each day had a completely different feel. Rysy especially is a big one, one of the highest accessible peaks in the Tatras at just under 2,500m, and it really gives you that long sustained climb with a proper summit payoff. Svišťový štít felt quieter but still very “real mountain” in terms of effort and terrain. Then Ferrata Kysel’ was almost a reset in style, moving through a gorge system with ladders, water, and rock walls instead of long alpine ascent. It’s the kind of route that feels playful compared to the height gain of the Tatras, but still technical enough to keep it exciting. One thing I’d honestly say for anyone planning something similar: stacking days like this is very doable, but it’s intense. Some of the hikes are around 20–21 km with close to 1,000m of elevation gain, and doing that repeatedly back to back catches up with you. If you’re reasonably fit, it can actually be better to either pick one main objective per day or build in a recovery day in between so you can actually enjoy each route rather than just pushing through fatigue.