Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the march
For the march, it is advised to pack into two different types of luggage - a small carry-on backpack that you will march with, and a larger piece of luggage (suitcase/large backpack) that you will hand over in the morning and which will await you at the next accommodation.
On the march, you will walk 130km through various terrains in varying weather, so it is important to have comfortable hiking footwear (we recommend a combination of hiking sandals and hiking boots with a higher ankle), definitely not new or unbroken-in, to avoid blisters. Especially for descents, hiking poles and possibly bandages will also come in handy.
"Mandatory" equipment is also enough functional/sports clothing, as we will be walking both through the warm lowlands and the cold Beskydy Mountains. You definitely shouldn't forget a hat, a poncho/raincoat, enough socks (e.g. Vrba–Wetzler Fusakle), a quick-drying towel (accommodations except for the Gronie and Beskid Hotels do not provide towels), sunscreen, insect repellent and a basic personal first aid kit including blister patches, vitamin C, magnesium and probiotics. Or something sharper to "burn out the worm".
The march is physically demanding and it is necessary to be able to walk at least at a slower hiking pace of 4km/h and cover a distance of 25-30km.
However, on the march, we also have support vehicles that are able to transport marchers to the next meeting point (to avoid steep climbs, descents, or difficult terrain) if necessary, or to the next accommodation.
The recommended minimum age is 15 years. However, the youngest marcher who completed the march was 8 years old. It is important to remember that the Vrba-Wetzler March is challenging not only physically but also mentally. It begins in a death camp, and throughout the march we are accompanied by the books What Dante Did Not See and I Escaped from Auschwitz, which describe the horrors that occurred in the camp, as well as details of the escape itself.
Therefore, it is necessary to consider whether the child is ready for such an experience - we leave that to the parent's discretion.
Children under 18 years of age can only participate if accompanied by their legal guardian.
In the past, several dogs have completed the march, and we even have one dog on our organizational team 🙂
However, it is important to remember that the march is demanding, and over the course of 6 warm summer days (including midday), we will cover 130 km through various terrains (including asphalt roads), we will be moving by various means of transportation (bus, cable car, train, support vehicle), and we will be walking in a large group of about 40 people.
Therefore, please consider whether your dog is physically fit and socially adapted enough for such an intense experience.
We do not recommend participation for dogs under 1 year of age and senior dogs. At the same time, dogs with valid vaccinations against infectious diseases and rabies, and with a valid European pet passport, may participate at the owner's responsibility.
When registering for the march, it is possible to choose a preferred diet:
• Standard meals (without pork and shellfish)
• Vegetarian meals
• Gluten-free meals
• Lactose-free meals
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide other types of diets (such as vegan meals, ...). If you have any other food allergies (e.g., nuts, ...), please let us know in the registration form, and we will communicate these facts at the accommodation facilities.
Ubytovanie je zaistené v prostých horských chatách či penziónoch. Niekde nájdete sociálne zariadenie ako súčasť izieb, inde sú WC a sprchovací kút zdieľané.
We are happy to accommodate your room preferences if possible. Please indicate your preferences on the registration form. If no preference is specified, participants will be divided into ladies' and men's rooms.