Hiking and biking trails Horehronie

If you enjoy putting on your hiking boots, set out to discover the beauties of nature in Muránska planina. In the village of Tisovec, which is a well-known birthplace of Slovak painters, politicians, and artists, you will have the opportunity to spend a day in this national park. This is also possible thanks to the Náučný chodník zbojníka Jakuba Surovca educational trail in Čertova tiesňava.

The educational trail begins in the village of Tisovec. From the local sheep farm (salaš), where you can treat yourself to a tasty bite to eat, set off directly towards adventure. Crossing this trail is at your own risk. The trail is one-way, has a length of 4.7 km, and an elevation gain of 268 m. The hike will take approximately 3 hours of your time. The difficulty of the loop trail is medium, so it is good to have very good footwear. During the winter months, in spring, and also during heavy rains, the terrain is dangerous and visiting is not recommended. However, as a group of 4 or more people, you can arrange a guide who will enrich your walk along the route with an engaging commentary.

Just as the highwayman Juraj Jánošík is well known in Slovakia, the highwayman Jakub Surovec is known in the Malohont region. He was the leader of a group of highwaymen who robbed wealthy people not only in Slovakia but also in parts of Poland. That is also why the trail leading through the untouched nature of Čertova dolina, through which he escaped from the gendarmes long ago, is named after him. The most beautiful spots on this trail are attractive gorges, which you can conquer here using wooden ladders.

After starting your journey from the sheep farm, heading upstream along the creek, you will enjoy bird song in the canyon-like valley, the soothing sounds of falling water from the waterfall, and the rustle of the forest, dominated by fir, spruce, beech, and valuable broadleaf trees on limestone bedrock with karst relief. At the beginning, you will be surprised by a legend about a local monk, which you can read on the 1st of the 7 panels. The route continues to the cave in Remeta. Do not miss Rizňa either, a wooden chute used for sending timber down. You can also stop by a miraculous spring, but we do not recommend drinking water from it. There are 2 information panels placed in Makové koryto. One concerns hunting and the other forestry. Following Masarykova cesta, continue to Čertov viadukt, where an information panel with information about the rack railway line Pohronská Polhora – Tisovec awaits you. You can refresh yourself and enjoy a moment of rest at Vyvieračka, a modified spring. Continuing into Čertova dolina, where Zbojnícky vodopád, the narrow pass Surovcov stisk, Malý vodopád, dams, the narrow pass Posledná barikáda, and a cave are located, you will enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. At Pacherka, a panel will introduce you to information about sheep farming and highwaymen. At Galička, a true Carpathian sheep farm with a shepherd (bača), farmhands (vlasi), and sheep is located.

This longer hike will give you a workout, but it is well worth completing. Perhaps you will still have enough strength to step into a carriage of the steam rack railway Parná zubačka Tisovec. In the winter season, it is great to enjoy the slopes of the ski resort Tisovec - Rejkovo and Tisovec - Bánovo. From another perspective, the lookout tower Rozhľadňa Zbojská offers views of the world. Are you warm and feel like cooling off not only from the inside? Then visit the pools of the swimming pool Klenovec. Rest assured that you will not be bored in this region.

For a longer stay, we recommend booking accommodation near Náučný chodník zbojníka Jakuba Surovca. The cheapest solution during the summer is to set up a tent. This option does not suit everyone, so it is good to choose from the range of cottages and chalets in Tisovec or treat yourself to comfort in a room at Hotel Tisovec. We will gladly help you with your choice.

Are you a passionate nature lover who likes to explore interesting places? In that case, we recommend visiting the picturesque village of Malachov located in the Banská Bystrica region. Right here, you can discover the interesting Malachovské náučnú chodníky.

Malachovské náučnú chodníky is the name for several hiking and thematically oriented trails that lead from the village of the same name. They were opened to the public in the spring of 2012. The trails start at a recreational meadow designated as Pod Skalkou. This meadow is located roughly 1 km above the village and an asphalt forest road will lead you to it. You can rest on benches with nearby fire pits even before setting off on a hike. That is also one of the reasons to motivate children to complete the chosen trail faster. After all, who wouldn't treat themselves to roasted bacon or sausage after a hike?

There is also a nice wooden signpost on the meadow, and just above it, a parking lot where you can comfortably park your cars. An orientation map of the valley with a description of the individual routes is not missing either. It is up to you whether you choose the easy red route "into history," which is accessible by bicycle and stroller along the asphalt road. Or perhaps you will be intrigued by the mining trail (black route), or the one dedicated to nature and its beauty (green route). Entrance to the trails is free, and together with your children, you can observe springs, a romantic pond, streams and brooks, a beautiful waterfall, breathtaking mining monuments, or spot local inhabitants like frogs and lizards.

You can learn more about the history of mining on the Banícky chodník. Its route leads through Cipkove jamy, where silver and iron ore were mainly mined. However, you will also reach a scenic meadow located on the slopes of Nemecký vrch. The Historický chodník will direct you through the ski resort Medvedica to the forested hill Hrádok. Long ago, a medieval hillfort stood here. The trail continues to the village of Malachov, which is typical for its narrow streets and houses of original folk architecture. On the route, you will also encounter the historical Teremový mlyn as well as a gunpowder production facility referred to as the “stará pracháreň na Stupách.”

Not only lovers of natural phenomena will appreciate the Prírodovedné chodníky, where you will encounter a peculiar "gray" grass. It is an anomaly caused in the past by the mining and processing of mercury. Also interesting is the mountain stream Malachovský potok, which creates a deep gorge in some places. The deepest point of this stream is called Malachovský vodopád. Naturally, you will also be able to walk around ice lakes or Ortútske jazierko with wetland plants and animals. You will also be captured by Horná roveň and Malachovské skalky, which are classified as protected natural areas.

If you would like to explore other interesting attractions in Malachov, you can easily let your own feet lead you to the Skalná vyhliadka Trávny Ždiar. Together with the little ones, you can visit the Pony farma Suchý Vrch. In case of bad weather, the amusement park Bounce park 17 will also delight you. On hot summer days, you can refresh yourself after a hike in Aqualand - Plážové kúpalisko Banská Bystrica. In the evening, you can simply rest physically and uplift your artistic spirit at Divadlo u Greškov.

Is one day not going to be enough for all of this? Then do not hesitate to book accommodation near Malachovské náučnú chodníky. In this village, cozy wooden cottages are mostly popular, but romantic apartments may also appeal to you. We will gladly help you make the right choice of accommodation where you will feel comfortable during your stay.