253 participants, including hikers, ultra-runners, groups of friends or blind hikers with guides, stood at the start of the Carpathian Wander (September 21, 2024). They all contributed to a good cause. The We Love the East fund raised 10,000 euros, which will be used for public benefit activities in the region. The Wander celebrated 15 years and the atmosphere at the start and finish was exceptional.
The only one in Slovakia?
“There are a lot of hiking walks in Slovakia, but they are not donation walks, and a lot of donation runs, but they are not walks,” says Laura Dittel, director of the Carpathian Foundation, which started organising the Wander 15 years ago. The goal was to create something unique, adventurous and, above all, beneficial. She found inspiration in a successful wander abroad. “Our Scottish partner organisation had been organising a similar event for years, so we went there to have a look and learn. Of course, we adapted the Wander to our conditions and the result is an event where groups of good-humoured people meet, walk through the beautiful nature of the Carpathian Mountains, have a beer on the way, and at the finish line, listen to good music, relax and share experiences from the trip,” describes Laura, who celebrated her birthday this year on the exact day of the Wander. “That made me enjoy it twice as much. I walked 25 km, raised a large amount of money from my supporters and had a great time with my fellow wanderers who I don’t see that often anymore.”
Instead of gifts for herself, she wanted to support others
Laura took the opportunity to create a donation campaign, asking those around her to contribute to her appeal instead of birthday gifts. The money raised will be added to the total proceeds of the Wander. Belo Spišák, a Wander fan, ultra-runner and organiser of trail runs, also created such a campaign: “I set myself a more modest goal of 300 euros, but thanks to my friends we exceeded it. I am glad that I can help the East in this way and I wish the Wander to be here for at least another 15 years. I have wandered 3 times and I am already looking forward to the next year.”
50 km in 6,5 hours
And although Laura Dittel says it’s not a competition, several runners make it each year at a fairly brisk pace. Matúš Bednár (6:30:43) and Tomáš Somorovský (6:30:51) were the first to finish. Both agreed that it was very nutritious for them and they especially enjoyed the views and the sunrise they experienced about 5 km from the start in Štós.
(Read the interview with Tomáš Somorovský from 2023 HERE.)
You can go hiking at any time, but you can only go wandering once a year
Every year, four-legged partners also join the Wander. Female Auróra kept Andrea Nina Gašparovič company: “Charity is the main reason why I went on the Wander. You can go hiking at any time, but to go wandering in the countryside and help organisations in eastern Slovakia to develop the region – that’s a very nice aspect of the whole event.”
What is it like to accompany blind friends on a wander?
Perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring moment of the Wander was meeting the Da Potmehoodz team on the track. It consisted of our colleague Žofia Teplická and her husband Peter, accompanied by two blind friends – Danka and Marek Macko.
“Traditionally, we finished as the last team at the finish line, so we kept the tradition. But we didn’t mind at all because we were in a great mood all the time; we felt the support from all the wanderers on the track. Being a guide for a blind person is an amazing experience because it gives me the opportunity to perceive the whole route differently every time. You have to focus intensely on where you are going, and at the same time, funny situations arise, like when we went to the Loreley lookout, and Danka and Marek asked us to describe what we were seeing. So we laughingly repeated that the trees and the hills. And I’m proud that we didn’t give up,” says Žofka. Her partner Danka feels the track in her legs even a few days after the tramp: “The trail was neither easy nor too difficult, so it was just right. I liked the supportive atmosphere not only in our group but among everyone we met. And I really enjoy helping and supporting projects in the East in this way.”
A little climbing on the track?
The 11-year-old Miško accompanied his parents on the 25-km track and successfully reached the finish line. And although the track was quite long for him and his legs were quite sore, he was still missing something: “It was good, I definitely want to go again next year, but I would like even more adventure, for example if we could climb as well.
Carpathian Wander as a teambuilding
An important aspect of the Wander is the involvement of corporate partners, i.e. companies that sponsor the Wander financially and also pay for teambuilding for their employees. This year we were supported by Ness Košice and U. S. Steel Košice. It is only thanks to such event partners that we are able to bring the Wander every year.
"The trail along the sunny paths from Erika to Čičky was very rewarding. The combination of physical challenge, amazing food along the route and the knowledge that you are contributing to the improvement of life in the region makes this event something truly special. This wander, which combines sports with philanthropy, gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better, overcome our own limits and strengthened the team spirit. It's amazing that we were able to not only support a good cause, but also experience the pure joy of wandering and the beautiful landscape. On the occasion of the 15th birthday of the Carpathian Wander, I wish in the future as many wonderful wanderers and wonderful weather as we were able to enjoy this year."
"We had a great time, the weather was perfect and it went very well. We stayed together the whole time, talked and got to know each other better. The setting was beautiful and thank you for the great organisation, hope to see you here again next year."
Why should someone do something just like that, for free?
“I think we need to do things just like that, without asking for anything in return. These days, it is necessary to remember that good must be done, it must be supported and not everything must be for a reward. Or that it doesn’t have to be a financial reward, because even the fact that we spent a nice day, met new people and the money goes to a good cause – is a great reward,” says volunteer Petra Fredricks, who was in charge of checking in the wanderers at the finish line. In addition to Petra, we had 19 other great volunteers helping out and we thank them very much.
And we'll stick to thanking
This year, we gave the wanderers an extra portion of snacks and gifts, and we thank our product partners for all of this.
We would also like to thank our media partners Radio_FM, MTHIKER.sk, hiking.sk, Turistika na Slovensku and Relax magazin for sending the news about the Carpathian Wander to the world.
We are already looking forward to next year.
Thank you for the photos at the start and on the trail: Martin Krestián Documentary For photos at the finish we thank: František Adamčík
