Čergovský Minčol
You can count up to 7 peaks named Minčol while wandering around Slovakia. Let's take a closer look at the one in Čergov, which is the highest peak of the Čergov mountain range. It lies on its western side, on the border of the districts of Sabinov, Stará Ľubovňa, and Bardejov, in the Prešov Region. In the district of Stará Ľubovňa as well as in the entire Šariš region, Čergovský Minčol is even the highest point with its altitude of 1,157.2 m above sea level.
The peak got its name in connection with Wallachian colonization. The origin is to be found in the word "muncel", which translated means a hill or its very peak. After climbing to the top, you will immediately notice a reinforced concrete pylon, which has been here since the times of the first Czechoslovak Republic. Right next to it is a tourist signpost with a summit logbook. The international long-distance hiking trail E3 also passes through here. At the peak, it breaks from the red tourist trail to the blue one.
Some hikers hike up the hill for a good inner feeling, many do it mostly for the views. From the peak, a view opens up into the Topľa river valley, the Ľubovnianska kotlina basin, you will see the Pieniny Tri Koruny, the Polish Beskydy mountains, or the main ridge together with the side ridges of the Čergov mountain range. In case of good weather conditions, you can also see the Vysoké Tatry, Nízke Tatry, Babia hora, or even the Ukrainian Poloniny. However, an even better view than the main peak is offered by its sub-peak at an altitude of 1,132 m above sea level, located approximately 500 m away from it. Its view is panoramic to all cardinal directions. You will also recognize it by the wooden cross that was consecrated here in 1995.
At the peak of Čergovský Minčol, there is the Národná prírodná rezervácia Čergovský Minčol national nature reserve, in which the 5th level of protection applies. It was declared in 1986 and its area covers 171.08 ha. It belongs to the NATURA 2000 network and the subject of protection is typical mountain Carpathian flora, as well as forest plant communities of the highest areas. As many as 15 taxa out of a total of 277 are included in the Red List of Threatened Plants of Slovakia. The reserve falls under the administration of the Štátna ochrana prírody Prešov.
Čergovský Minčol is also touristically attractive because access to it is possible from all cardinal directions. Every year, the event "Výstup na Minčol" is even held, which attracts a lot of tourists here every year. The easiest climb awaits you along the blue tourist trail from the village of Kyjov, which lies towards the northwest of the Čergov mountain range. It is also considered the shortest climb, along with the one from the village of Livovská Huta, which will lead your steps along the yellow tourist trail. Besides these, however, climbing is possible from many other starting points. From the village of Kamenica, both yellow and green tourist trails lead, from the village of Čirč a green tourist trail leads, from the village of Obručné a red tourist trail, and from the village of Šarišské Jastrabie a yellow tourist trail.
No matter which side you set off on your hike from, you will need suitable accommodation near Čergovský Minčol. You will find the best for you on our pages. Approximately at a distance of 23 km from the peak, there is accommodation Stará Ľubovňa for you, at a distance of approximately 22 km accommodation Bardejov, and approximately 16 km away is accommodation Sabinov. Wherever you decide to spend your stay, above all enjoy it thoroughly and prepare well for the hike.
