Where to go on a trip Hnilecké vrchy

Do you know the Slovenský raj? Surely you do. And how about skiing in it? Just a stone's throw from its border lies the village of Poráč. What is it famous for? You will find it in the eponymous Poráčska dolina, while driving through which you will have a blissful feeling as if you were at the edge of the world. Perfect relaxation and a feeling of freedom. In winter, you can enjoy it on skis as well.

The Poráč Park ski resort itself is located between the villages of Poráč and Slovinky in the Poráčska dolina. The best access is from the direction of the east from Krompachy and from the west from Spišská Nová Ves.

This pleasant ski resort is characterized by a family atmosphere where everyone knows everyone. Yet you will find the most important thing here: ski slopes of all categories. Two ski slopes are intended for beginners. They will appreciate the gentle slope and sufficient length of the slopes, which forgives many mistakes. An ideal terrain for learning not only for small ones, but also for big ones. You will also find a pair of steeper ski slopes here. One of them is for intermediates and the last one for the best skiers, who are not intimidated even by the black color with which it is marked. A pair of ski lifts takes care of all these ski slopes.

You can enjoy the slopes of Poráč Park every year depending on the snow cover, most often between December and March. A total of 3 km of ski slopes will be at your service. Cross-country skiing trails also run through the surrounding mountains. These are not groomed, which is why they are more suitable for more adventurous cross-country skiers. The nearby mountains are also exceptionally suitable for tourists. Just borrow ski-mountaineering equipment or snowshoes and nothing prevents you from leaving the rushed world behind.

Additional services at the resort that will make your moments on the slope more pleasant are a matter of course. During skiing, you can refresh yourself in the buffet or warm up in the bar. There is a restaurant, ski service, ski rental, and ski storage.

Considering the resort's focus on families and beginners as well, you can use the services of the ski kindergarten for children or the ski school for others. Qualified instructors can handle even the biggest timber, and after a couple of days, you will already be able to say: “I am a skier!”

After skiing, the fun does not end. Rent skates and head out to the nearby ice rink. It is up to you whether you will just skate around and talk with acquaintances or dive into the whirlpool of a hockey match.

Poráč is an attractive village that offers a pleasant ski resort in winter, and tourist and cycling trails in summer. You will find plenty of small cottages, tourist hostels here, or you can look around for some of the local private accommodations. Escape from the mundane and rushed reality for at least a few days. The Poráčska dolina will gladly provide you with shelter.

Červené skaly is a locality in the territory of the Spišská Nová Ves district in the Košice Region, which has been declared a national nature reserve. It falls under the state nature conservation of the Slovenský raj. The reserve extends into the cadastral areas of the villages of Poráč, Olcnava, and Slovinky. The most beautiful part of the first-mentioned village's territory is precisely the Poráčska dolina, where you will also find a canyon up to 300 meters deep in places, featuring Červená skala. Despite its name, the latter is rather white from a distance. Červené skaly form the wall of the canyon of the Poráčsky potok, which is also the subject of protection. The canyon with a semi-karst character cuts through the Galmuská planina. This locality with rock, meadow, and forest communities is a typical representative of the biogeocenosis of the Slovenské rudohorie. It has an area of 390.5 ha and was declared a protected area back in 1981.

Protect nature, walk only on marked trails

The bedrock of the Poráčska dolina is formed predominantly by limestone, which, with the help of the Poráčsky jarok, enabled the formation of canyon-like valleys and numerous karst phenomena such as turrets, rock windows, waterfalls, and caves. Rising above the Poráčska dolina is the triple peak Slovinská skala. Due to the ruggedness of the relief, there are two areas in this territory that differ in their flora. In the north of the valley, beeches and thermophilic flowers mainly occur. In the southern part, fir-beech forests, spruce forests grow, and besides thermophilic vegetation, cold-loving mountain plants appear in the shadows. Dealpine pine bushes thrive on the rock ridges, and alder forests thrive in the floodplains of the Poráčsky potok. Among the protected species, one can find the Carpathian bellflower, the Moldavian monkshood, the alpine clematis, or the Slovak pasque flower. In the forests and meadows, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, lynx, fox, and especially in recent years, the wolf find their home.

The national natural monument Červené skaly is protected by the 5th and 4th levels of protection, therefore the territory can be visited only within marked hiking trails, cycling and cross-country skiing routes, and economic activity is prohibited here. The canyon of the Poráčsky potok is best accessible from the villages of Slovinky and Poráč. A foot crossing from one village to the other through the Poráčska dolina takes approximately two and a half hours and is an undemanding hike with an elevation gain of 319 m.

Make the most of your time spent in Červené skaly

In the vicinity of the nature reserve, there are many natural attractions such as the Šarkanova diera cave. For those who will have a taste for a bit of history after a walk in nature, the Markušovský hrad in Markušovce or the Banský skanzen in the village of Hnilčík are nearby. It is also not far to Spišská Nová Ves, which offers a zoological garden, or to Spišské Podhradie, where besides the Spišský hrad, there is also St. Martin's Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Martina).

Book your accommodation near the Červené skaly nature reserve and get to know this area more closely. You will be closest to the rocks if you stay in one of the cottages in Poráč. If these facilities are occupied, try browsing the offer of apartments in Spišské Vlachy or other accommodation in Jamník. A bit further away, in Spišské Podhradie, you will also find other quality accommodation options. Just choose a date and you can start looking forward to a wonderful trip.

During your holiday in the area of Hnilecké vrchy, you can visit the pleasant ski resort of Krečno, which is situated in close proximity to the village of Nálepkovo. Its slopes are intended mainly for undemanding and beginner skiers who are just getting acquainted with this sport. The environment here is ideal for families with children, where parents can pass on their experience to their little ones without waiting in long lines and crowds.

A simple lift will take you to an altitude of 623 m above sea level, and the 450 m long slope has only a gentle incline. Parents will certainly be pleased with the children's lift, which is fully at the disposal of young skiers. There is also the option of evening skiing, during which the entire slope is well illuminated. The grounds are often used by schools for ski courses because they find comfort here in securing full services including accommodation, meals, drink regime, and ski passes.

Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will not miss out either, as there are regularly maintained cross-country trails winding through the landscape over a length of several kilometers. You can refresh yourself at the snack bar, where you can also purchase something small to eat. The ski resort is fully dependent on natural snow conditions, as it does not possess snowmaking technology.

The location and proximity to Slovenský raj guarantee a quality holiday in Slovakia. You will certainly have no problem finding accommodation near Krečno as well. Just head to our portal and choose one of the cottages in Hnilčík. Visit Banský skanzen and show your children how demanding the work of miners was. History lovers will certainly not pass by Kaštieľ v Markušovciach and Markušovský hrad. Or take advantage of the day to visit Múzeum Spiša.

The manor house in the village of Markušovce is one of the most representative buildings of the southern Spiš region. Together with the summer house Dardanely, it is situated in the setting of a magnificent French park with three stepped terraces. Come and see the unique exhibition of keyboard musical instruments and historical furniture. At the same time, the summer house is a place where various musical events regularly take place, especially classical music concerts.

The history of the manor house dates back to 1643 and is associated with the name František Mariássy. The original building was in the Renaissance style. Following a change of owners, it was rebuilt into the Rococo style between 1770 and 1775. Shortly after, the new owner Wolfgang Mariássy had the summer house Dardanely built in the garden. The manor house served its owners as a fortified residence for over 100 years. Following extensive reconstruction of the manor house, which took place between 1983 and 1994, a permanent exhibition of historical furniture is located here.

The main goal of the historical furniture exhibition is to point out the development of individual types of interior accessories and their chronological arrangement from the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Individual pieces originating from the older period of classicism, empire, or Biedermeier can be found on the upper floor. Furniture from the younger period, representing historicisms, can be found on the ground floor. The exhibition is complemented by examples of crafts and applied arts, and you can also find collections of glass, porcelain, and period costumes. Also interesting is the collection of historical weapons, clocks, and mirrors. A special part consists of paintings by prominent painters such as J. Rombauer, J. Czauczik, or J. J. Stunder. The exhibited pieces of furniture come from Kaštieľ Markušovce as well as Kaštieľ Hodkovce.

The magnificent representative hall in letohrádok Dardanely is decorated with grand frescoes and still serves as a concert hall today. Did you know that this charming building was constructed specifically to welcome Emperor Joseph II? In the summer house, you can view a splendid exhibition of historical keyboard musical instruments, which is the only one of its kind in Slovakia.

The manor house in Markušovce together with summer house Dardanely is definitely worth visiting. And if you still have the urge to explore, put on your hiking boots and head to the Hornádska kotlina. Approximately 5 km from the village of Markušovce, you will find Markušovský skalný hríb, which is reportedly the largest of its kind in all of Europe. Children will surely be delighted if you visit the zoo and Alex park in Spišská Stará Ves with them. The Spiš region is practically packed with great attractions, so book your dream holiday today. You can find a wide range of accommodation in the vicinity of Kaštieľ Markušovce on our page accommodation Markušovce. We wish you a successful holiday full of unforgettable experiences.

Skiers in Slovakia often bypass the eastern part of the country. Perhaps they don't even know what they are missing out on. The pristine nature, somewhat hidden from the eyes of tourists, offers something for them as well. Perhaps the best ski resort they can visit here is Relax Center Plejsy.

The ski resort has a more than fitting name, as the services in the resort offer great opportunities for active relaxation. Where can you find all this? Just a short distance from Krompachy. You can get here, for example, from Spišské Podhradie. The resort is spread over the northern slopes of Krompašský vrch. Thanks to its northern orientation, there is always plenty of snow at Plejsy.

Relax Center Plejsy is not just any ordinary ski resort. It is one of those larger and modern skiing centers. Its high level is also evidenced by the organization of international skiing events, such as the European Cup skiing races.

The resort offers more than sufficient elevation gain. It ranges between 470 – 912 meters above sea level. But do you know what is absolute best about Plejsy? That all groups of skiers can enjoy skiing here. You will find slopes for beginners, intermediate skiers, and even total experts. Most of the slopes are designated for intermediate skiers. The resort is therefore suitable for family skiing as well as for every skier looking to refine their skills.

The Plejsy resort offers up to 9 km of slopes. Its pride is the main slope, which contains all levels of difficulty you can encounter. At the beginning, it has the steepest incline, later transitioning into medium difficulty, and the final section has a gentle slope suitable even for beginners. The resort's longest slope is also above average, measuring up to 2,500 meters. Up to 5 ski lifts will take care of your comfort while skiing.

Other additional services at Plejsy are at a European level: plenty of parking spaces, snack bars, a restaurant, a comprehensive artificial snowmaking system, and floodlighting for night skiing. Thanks to this, you will be skiing late into the evening and until early spring. The average ski season lasts up to 123 days, proving that you can ski here for a really long time.

The surroundings of the resort offer options for interesting trips, whether to the nearby Slovenský raj or to the aforementioned Spišské Podhradie. History, culture, nature, and sports enthusiasts will all find something to enjoy here. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts haven't been forgotten either. You will find up to 11 km of cross-country trails here where you can train from morning to evening.

Plejsy is full of life, especially in winter. The high number of tourists requires broad accommodation capacities. These are available here in various quality levels and price ranges. From modern guesthouses and beautiful cottages to pleasant and quiet private accommodations in nearby villages. In addition, right next to the ski lifts, Hotel Plejsy will ensure maximum comfort during your stay. So head on over for a great skiing trip.

Banský skanzen is built in the village of Hnilčík, in the spišskonovoveský okres district. Like many others, this village was once ranked among the mining villages of the southern Spiš region. The open-air museum was established in 2012 on the initiative of a local civic association. The museum is a declared Národná kultúrna pamiatka.

The open-air museum consists of three parts: the museum exhibition, the Štôlňa Ľudmila adit, and educational montane trails. The museum exhibition, located in the premises of the former school in the Jerohuta local part, is divided into thematic units. These focus on the history of the village of Hnilčík, ethnography and the material heritage of ancestors, geological structure and wildlife, the history of mining, and the processing of local ores. The building where the exhibition is located dates back to 1937 and served as a school until 1972. It is protected as a national cultural monument and is very valuable for its original architectural solution.

The Štôlňa Ľudmila adit is part of the open-air museum as an underground exhibition. It is a mining tunnel that was a purposeful mining work. At its end, there is an explosives storage. The space served as a warehouse until the end of ore extraction (the 1930s) and was subsequently abandoned.

The educational monetary trails will lead you through a pleasant natural environment. These are the following routes: route A Jerohuta - Roztoky, route B Bindt, route C Kira – Štolvek – Suchá hora - Grétla, route D Údolím Železného potoka. The mentioned routes will also introduce visitors to many other monuments that mining left behind in the Hnilčík cadastre. These include numerous miners' dwellings, the ruins of the iron ore processing plant and roasting plant in Bindt, authentic gunpowder storage facilities, former administrative and residential buildings of the mining plant in Bindt, the complex of authentic administrative and residential buildings of the mining plant in Roztokách, adit portals from the 18th and 19th centuries, the mining bell tower in Bindt, as well as the remains of railway bodies and bridges of the Markušovce – Roztoky and Markušovce – Bindt railways.

Come and discover the mining history of this beautiful region. However, one day will definitely not be enough for you. On our pages accommodation Hnilčík, you will find the right accommodation for you to fully enjoy your sightseeing stay among the attractions of Spiš and not stress about whether you will catch the train departure or not.

Spiš is perhaps among the richest regions of our beautiful Slovakia. What wealth does it hide? You will find many cultural treasures here, such as the majestic Spišský hrad castle or historical Levoča. There are also many natural beauties dominated by Slovenský raj, one of our most popular national parks. And right next to it, you can enjoy top-quality skiing.

We have in mind the village of Hnilčík, located in close proximity to Slovenský raj. You will find it approximately 18 km south of Spišská Nová Ves, the cultural center of Spiš. Hnilčík is characterized by beautiful surroundings and lies deep in the mountains, which are extremely attractive mainly for tourists. Thanks to its rugged terrain, it also favors skiers, who will come into their own in the local area of Ráztoky, at the Mraznica ski resort.

The Mraznica ski resort is a year-round popular recreational center. In winter, its gates welcome the broadest range of skiers, as it is designed for everyone—from absolute beginners to active sports skiers.

The Ski Mraznica complex spans an altitude range of 705 to 1035 meters above sea level. This elevation difference guarantees excellent skiing even for demanding skiers. In the lower part of the resort, there is a short, approximately 100-meter-long slope for beginner skiers and children. The gentle incline will not scare anyone, and learning the art of skiing will be fun.

Intermediate skiers will enjoy themselves on the main slope, where you can experience a relaxed yet brisk ride. Advanced skiers have also been kept in mind, with a black section of the trail prepared for them. It represents a challenge and an experience especially for those who feel even better on skis than off them.

Comfortable transport within the resort is provided by a trio of ski lifts. One of them is a children's lift located in the lower part of the resort for beginner skiers. The length of the local slopes is also pleasing. The longest of them measures up to 1,100 meters, which is truly a generous portion of great skiing. The total length of all trails is just under 2 km.

At the Mraznica ski resort near the village of Hnilčík, you will find more than just high-quality skiing conditions. Many additional services at the resort ensure an even better holiday experience. Naturally, ski equipment rental and service are available. In close proximity to the lifts is another attraction: an ice rink equipped with artificial lighting. After skiing, you can play hockey here at your leisure or simply go ice skating. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, several interesting cross-country loops are available, one of which passes along the edge of the slope. Add to all this a stylish tea room located right by the lift with a wide selection of teas and meals, and you have a great tip for a winter holiday.

The Mraznica sports and recreation area satisfies everyone when it comes to quality accommodation as well. Right by the lift is a stylish mountain cabin that welcomes families with children as well as couples eager for a skiing getaway. A bit further, in the village of Hnilčík, there are further accommodation options in private rentals or cottages. This is affordable yet cozy accommodation that will satisfy anyone seeking peace and relaxation in beautiful mountain surroundings.

In the Košickom kraji, in eastern Slovakia, just 3 km past the village of Gelnica, you will find the foothill so-called Turzovské jazero. At first glance, its surroundings will captivate you with their magnificent coniferous forests and mountain meadows. Did you know that in the past, Jazero Turzov was among the most sought-after spa resorts in Rakúsko-Uhorsku? They were visited mainly by patients with respiratory and nervous system disorders.

The Turzovské kúpele were known throughout the Rakúska-Uhorská monarchy. People went boating on the water surface, and famous Anna bály were held at the spa. There was also a bowling alley and tennis courts. Water from the lake was boiled with pine needles and used for the inhalation of medicinal essential oils. Directly on the shore stood a spa house, which currently provides accommodation and catering services.

The water in Turzovskom jazere is clean and clear, reaching up to 17 meters at its deepest point. During hot summer days, you can swim in it, but only at your own risk. Part of the resort is also the lower lake, by which you will find the detached exhibition of the Baníckeho múzea v Gelnici, the Banský skanzen, and the Jozef adit. The lower lake is not suitable for swimming as it is used for fishing. Both lakes are fed by mountain streams originating in fault zones of rocks, as well as waters from abandoned mining works.

The wonderful environment in the middle of the forest is made for a picnic, so do not hesitate and take a blanket and a basket full of goodies for your trip. Directly on the shore, there is also a fire pit where you can roast delicious sausages. A mining educational trail will lead you to the lake from Gelnica.

After this undemanding walk, set out on a proper hike and conquer Kojšovskú hoľu. The surroundings of Gelnica offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling. A great place for relaxation and swimming is the popular Vodná nádrž Ružín. Discover the beauties of the Volovských vrchov and book your stay in Spiši today. You can find the best accommodation offer around Turzovského jazera on our website accommodation in Gelnica. Come and see for yourself what remarkable places Východné Slovensko hides.

If you enjoy going on trips into nature, head up to the cliff behind the town of Gelnica and discover the remains of Gelnický hrad castle. The history of this once grand residence dates back to 1234. In ancient times, it was also known as Thurzov hrad castle. Take a pleasant walk with your family and enjoy quality time spent together in nature. A marked hiking trail leading from the Banícke múzeum museum will guide you to the remains of this medieval fortress.

You will find the ruins of the castle in a place called „zámčisko“. The purpose of constructing the castle was to protect the town and its mines. Since its establishment, it went through many hands. During times of unrest and continuous battles for the Hungarian throne between Ferdinand I of Habsburg and John Zápolya, the castle was destroyed. Following Zápolya's defeat, Ferdinand I gifted Gelnický hrad castle to the nobleman Alexej Thurzo, who had it rebuilt and expanded.

The Thurzo family owned the castle until 1636, when its last male descendant, Michal Thurzo, passed away. For a short time, the castle became state property. In 1638, King Ferdinand III granted it to Count Štefan Csáky and his wife Eva Forgách. During the reign of the Csáky family, several uprisings broke out, during which the castle and the town changed hands repeatedly. The castle began to fall into disrepair, and from 1765 onwards, it served merely as a training ground for the hussars of Gelnica.

The final destruction was brought about by the town itself when it ordered the stone from the walls to be used for the construction of the town hall and adjacent buildings. It is assumed that the castle had four bastions and a main entrance on the eastern side. In addition to the main entrance, there were three other courtyards at the castle. The most well-preserved section is the torso of the castle tower with a window opening and a loophole.

During an archaeological survey in 1963, it was discovered that 14 underground tunnels lead out into the surroundings of the castle. Various artifacts were also found, such as keys, weapons, spurs, and other items. The castle ruins are freely accessible all year round. From the castle hill, you will enjoy a wonderful view over the entire town. If you head to the castle in autumn, your children will certainly be delighted by the chestnuts they find under the trees in the chestnut alley.

After visiting „zámčisko“, set off for Turzovské jazero lake and enjoy a great picnic on its shores. On your travels, you can also stop by the Banícke múzeum, which will introduce you to the history of mining in the area. In the surroundings of Gelnica, there are many fantastic attractions worth visiting. Don't wait and book your weekend stay in the Slovenské rudohorie mountains today. A wide selection of accommodation near the ruins of Gelnický hrad castle can be found on our page accommodation in Gelnica. We wish you a wonderful and undisturbed stay.

You cannot miss Ranč FAH during your wanderings around Spišská Nová Ves. It is situated 1 kilometer south of the dominant Spišský hrad, in the settlement of Hodkovce, which falls under the village of Žehra. The ranch offers a pleasant relaxation area for the whole family. You will find a passion for horseback riding here and appreciate the magnificent views of the rock massifs of the Dreveník protected landscape area.

The little ones will not miss out either, as the staff will gladly saddle up a pony for them. If you would like to improve your riding skills, an instructor is available for you and will happily help you. You can also tour the nearby sights in a horse-drawn carriage. You will feel just like in a fairy tale. When nature wraps itself in a white blanket, do not hesitate to take a ride on a sleigh pulled by local steeds.

There is something here even for adrenaline lovers. It is the so-called skijoring, which is essentially skiing while being pulled by a horse. Believe it or not, powder snow will be all around you. If your stomach starts rumbling while collecting unusual experiences, you will certainly appreciate the rich selection of home cooking, where you can also taste handmade organic farm products. For those who love wine, a tasting of this precious beverage is prepared.

Spiš has its charm, and the people here are very warm-hearted. Come and see their hospitality for yourself, which you will experience in cottages or guest houses in Spišské Podhradie. Great accommodation options can also be found near Ranč FAH. While you are here, certainly do not miss a visit to Katedrála sv. Martina or learn the art of pottery at Spišský hrad. Children will surely enjoy Zoologická záhrada Spišská Nová Ves, where they can observe animals undisturbed.