Trekking poles are worth using!

What are they good for?

Hiking is really widespread in our country, because it is not surprising when we have so many beautiful places. Whether you go on a short trip or for a few days of hiking, be sure to pack trekking poles with you. At first glance, a trivial thing like sticks can perform two main tasks. One is to reduce pressure on the limbs and the other is to provide support during movement. Thanks to these two properties, the sticks have a positive effect on our health. You will especially appreciate them in uneven or strenuous terrain. They are a great helper when climbing a steep ascent or descent, when hiking on a rocky surface and they will be a good support for you when walking on snow. By using them, you also increase your safety and performance itself. How do these sticks help us? When hiking, we put the most strain on the joints of the lower limbs, hips and spine. Thanks to the fact that trekking poles dampen the impact on the joints that occur during walking, they help us save the most stressed parts of the body. And because our body is not exposed to such a high load, we are less tired and will travel more kilometers.

Expert advice:

If you decide to use trekking poles, it is important that you learn to use them correctly. In any case, you should use both sticks, which are set at the same height. As for holding the clubs, we do not cramp them, but relaxed and the hands hang in the loops. It is also important to place both sticks as close to the body as possible along the vertical axis. Thanks to this, the sticks will bring you more relief and save the muscles of the hands more. If you place them further from the vertical axis of the body, then you reduce muscle relief and stability.

At present, you can choose from two basic designs on the market. They are telescopic or fixed sticks. The advantage of telescopic poles is that they are easy to store and take up little space. However, their service life is shorter compared to solid sticks. As for the materials, you can choose from aluminum, carbon or titanium sticks. Carbon or titanium are among the higher quality. One of the decisive factors in the selection of sticks, respectively. when they are used, so is their length. The total length of the clubs should be adjusted so that the forearm is at approximately a right angle to the shoulder. The length of the sticks is shorter at the ascent, and longer at the descent (about 5 to 10 centimeters). The setting of course depends on the terrain. As we are engaged in hiking today, we also bring you a few tips for trips around the area.

Devils or Rock Gutter

A hike across the Devil's Trough can bring you an unforgettable view, fresh air in your lungs and a feast for your eyes. It is a natural monument located near Smolenice. This place is characterized by various karst formations that will accompany you as you walk through the canyon. The Devil's Trough stretches near the Vlčiareň meadow and stretches along the often used green tourist route, which further leads to Zárubá. You can choose the route from Jahodník, from the Drina Cave or from the Hlboč Valley. However, be sure to choose nice weather for this tour. It is not recommended to visit the Devil's Trough during bad weather - in the rain or during the winter months when it is snowing.

Hlboča

Hlboča Gorge, a national nature reserve, is located in the territory of Smolenice. Hlboča is one of the most typical surface karst formations of the Smolenice karst. It is basically a canyon-shaped valley formed by Mesolithic limestones and steep cliffs, which is about 100 m deep and dotted with various hiking trails. Perhaps the biggest attraction, in addition to the beautiful nature, is also the waterfall Fallen Water, which is the only one in this gorge. The waterfall is located on a rock formation about 9 meters high and can only be observed during larger water. The nature reserve is often used for scientific research, educational or cultural-educational purposes. If you want to visit it and cross the Smolenický kras Nature Trail, follow the blue tourist sign.

On Guarantees

If you decide to visit the highest peak of the Little Carpathians - Záruba (768 meters), a medium-difficult half-day hike awaits you. One of the starting points can be Smolenice. The tour starts at the train station, where you follow the yellow sign. From the station, head towards the quarry and then into the forest. Along the way you will also see Havrania skala, under which you will connect to the red sign, after which you will continue to the top of Záruba. As you descend, you will reach a crossroads where the markings will be green, and along this sidewalk you will descend to the saddle at the crossroads above the Devil's Trough. If you fancy, you can also walk through the Devil's Trough, if not, then turn left onto the blue tourist sign. Your tour will then end near Smolenický zámek.

Black Rock or "Pearl of the Little Carpathians"

If you want to indulge in a little adrenaline and enjoy an exceptional view of the beautiful nature, be sure to choose the Black Rock, which is often rightly called the "pearl of the Little Carpathians". Black Rock is a distinctive rock formation. As you climb, you can enjoy the view of the wild nature, and if you are lucky, you may also notice a forest creature along the way. Black Rock is basically a long and narrow rocky ridge, which is formed by a number of impressive rocks and rock walls, reaching a height of 30 meters. As soon as you reach the top, you will get a fabulous view of the vast Little Carpathian forests and the Danube plain. The Pearl of the Little Carpathians is located in the cadastral territory of the village of Lošonec. The starting point for the hike can be the villages of Lošonec, Smolenice and Plavecký Mikuláš.