Outdoor leaders, youth workers and hiking enthusiasts — join SAFEPATH, an international training in Slovakia combining hiking, mountain safety and leadership training in the Low Tatras.
- Date: 3. – 11. October 2026 (Saturday and Sunday are travel days)
- Location: Low Tatras, Slovakia
- Registration: https://forms.gle/aFAgpVhLgx5Fg2jt7
SAFEPATH – Safe, Responsible and Inclusive Hiking is an Erasmus+ project dedicated to promoting safe, responsible and inclusive hiking among young people across Europe.
The project responds to the growing popularity of outdoor activities by helping participants develop the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to enjoy nature safely while protecting the environment. Through international cooperation, participants exchange experiences, learn from one another, and become ambassadors for safe hiking within their local communities.
The SAFEPATH training in Slovakia will consist of one week of hiking, navigation and mountain-safety training in the Low Tatras National Park.
Who Can Apply?
This training is designed for young leaders and professionals with a genuine interest in safe hiking, including:
- Leader candidates interested in safe hiking and practical risk management in outdoor settings
- Professionals active in outdoor and nature-based sports within youth programmes or non-formal education
- Individuals with a background in sports sciences, mountaineering, or outdoor/adventure education
- Requirement: Participants should be aged 18–25 (no age limit for group leaders), able to communicate in English, and ready to take part in every activity — including the full-day, 15 km summit hike to Ďumbier (~1,000 m elevation gain)
What to Expect
The training combines practical hiking experience with non-formal education methods. Participants can expect:
- Outdoor hiking and navigation practice
- Mountain first-aid workshops
- Group discussions and peer learning
- Exchange of experiences with participants from four countries
- Activities focused on leadership and sustainable hiking
Trainer: Veronika Spišková, psychologist and outdoor educator specialising in experiential learning, leadership and mountain safety. DofE Expedition Instructor, certified Wilderness First Aider, and an experienced Erasmus+ trainer across Slovakia and Europe.
Trainer: Marek Čavojský, expedition guide with over 10 years of guiding in Iceland, Norway and the Swiss Alps, specialising in mountain safety, navigation, risk management and leading groups in challenging alpine environments.
Practical Information
- Accommodation: Participants stay in 3- and 4-bed en-suite rooms at Mountain Hotel Gápeľ. The hotel has a restaurant, wifi coverage and towels are provided.
- Meals: Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for the full week including coffee breaks, covered by Erasmus+.
- Travels: Participants from Austria can travel by bus or train to Bratislava with providers such as ÖBB, Flixbus, RegioJet, Slovak Lines etc. Since the hotel is located in a very rural area, a private shuttle collects them in Bratislava on 3 October, and returns via the same route on 11 October. Overall budget for Austrian participants is 60€, from which ~30€ will be deducted for the private shuttle from Bratislava to the hotel and back.
- Please send your travel plan for approval before booking, and keep all tickets, boarding passes and receipts — travel costs are reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules after the activity. Taxi and Uber costs cannot be reimbursed.
- It is recommended to arrange travel/health insurance for your stay abroad, covering hiking and mountain activities.
How to apply?
- Register for the training here: https://forms.gle/aFAgpVhLgx5Fg2jt7 until 5th August.
- Wait for confirmation from ACTIVE Austria team and further instructions.
- Plan your travels and send us your travel plan for approval.
- Wait for confirmation of your travel plan and joint the event!