On Saturday 29 August 2026, Symbolically, on the anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, we set off along the SNP Heroes’ Trail to Veľká Javorina – the second-highest peak in the mountain range Chergov. A trip called Through the wilds of Čergov It offered not only an enjoyable hike, but above all the chance to get to know the Šariš countryside better, its inhabitants and the traces they leave behind in the forest.
The event began at the Čergov Chalet, from where we set off on a route of approximately 9 kilometres. The route took us along forest tracks, through meadows and along the ridge Čergova towards Veľká Javorina. The easy terrain and gentle inclines created the ideal conditions for a leisurely walk for nature lovers. There were also stretches where the truly wild side of Čergov’s countryside came to the fore.
When the Forest Begins to Speak
The trip wasn’t just about the hiking itself. The guide Dušan Guman from Medvedia cesta During our walk, he introduced us to the secrets of the forest. We learnt lots of interesting facts about its inhabitants, learnt to recognise the sounds of the forest and animal tracks, and gradually realised that the forest around us is much more alive than it might seem at first glance.
The weather was on our side throughout the hike. From the ridge, we could see the peak the whole time Lysá and the sun’s rays further enhanced the atmosphere of a summer’s day spent in the countryside.
A visit to the rare forest in the Vlčia Nature Reserve
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to The Vlčia Private Nature Reserve, which is managed by The VLK Forest Conservation Group. This is an area where some of the oldest and rarest forests have been preserved Čergova.
It is precisely places like these that remind us of the importance of protecting natural forests and the need to view nature not only as a place to relax, but also as a home to a wealth of plants and animals. Thanks in part to the expert commentary, we were able to see this part of Čergov in a slightly different light.
We all managed it – even the four-legged participants
All the participants enjoyed the trip, and proof that the route was manageable even for four-legged hikers was our friend Pampi, who, together with her owner Matej, completed the entire route with us.
At the end, a certificate and a medal awaited everyone who had successfully completed the hike. However, they were not merely a symbolic reward for the kilometres covered. They served as a reminder of the shared experience, the new insights gained and a day spent in the countryside in good company.
Thank you for the day we spent together
A big thank you goes to to our guide, Dušan Guman for organising the event, the informative and engaging commentary, and the pleasant atmosphere throughout the trip. We would also like to thank all the participants, who made for a wonderful group of nature lovers.
Čergov has shown us once again that we don’t have to look far to find the beauty of nature. All we need to do is set off along the footpath, slow down and listen carefully. Perhaps then we will hear the forest in a way we never have before.
We’re already looking forward to more trips with nature lovers from Šariš.
The event was organised with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic.
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Photo source:OOCR RŠ
