Banska Stiavnica is one of the most beautiful towns in Slovakia. If you decide to spend some time in this historic atmosphere, don´t forget to take bike with you. There are many bike trails around the town. So, take your bike and discover beautiful nature by bike in Stiavnicke hills!
  • Travelling time: 1h
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Why we love it: Banska Stiavnica is beautiful historic town surrounded by amazing nature. This combination always let us speechless.
  • Length: 12 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 431 m
  • Way to travel: by bike
  • Cost: 0 €
  • Our Advice: Take some swimwear with you and bath in Pocuvadlo tajch.

Our journey starts near “Pocuvadlo” reservoir. It is one of the most popular of all tajchs near Banska Stiavnica. Nowadays, it is used for recreational purposes and you can find buffets and small refreshments around the reservoir. Of course, you can bath there. During the summer months, it is very popular natural pool.

Pocuvadlo tajch
Pocuvadlo, photo by Pe-Jo via Wikimedia

From pension Anna (Restaurant Konvalinka) next to Pocuvadlo, follow the yellow tourist marker. This marker will lead you through the whole trail.

Firstly, you follow asphalt path, however after a while the marker will lead you to the forest. Through the wide sloping track, you will get to the saddle of Krížna nad Počúvadlom. The final downhill to the Pocuvadlo will be on asphalt path again. You can enjoy the relax atmosphere of lake in Koliba Veronika. Koliba Veronika is also a restaurant, so you can order some good food after the bike route. There is another lunch option in restaurant Konvalinka, from where you started your trail.

The point is to follow the yellow marker all the time. 12km route will offer you outstanding views of surrounding of Banska Stiavnica.

If you, however want to see more, we suggest you to visit ruins of Sitno castle and top-hill of Sitno.

Sitno castle
Sitno castle, photo by Jan Starec via Wikimedia

Diversion to Sitno Castle

From the Saddle of Vlcia jama, follow the 800m ascend on blue marker up to the ruins. If you want to ascend a bit more, there is a nice asphalt path to the top of Sitno, which starts from the ruins. Even though it is only 1.5km long, you will go through 200 altitude difference. After reaching the top hill, you have to come back to Vlcia jama and again follow the yellow marker.

 

Sitno castle
Sitno castle, photo by Petra Sitárová via Wikimedia
View from Sitno
View from Sitno, photo by Pe-Jo via Wikimedia
Pocuvadlo
Pocuvadlo from above, photo by Michal Hruska via Wikipedia

Author: Nikola Meciarova

Cover Photo: Photo by Michal Hruska via Wikipedia

 

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