Walking Holidays in Banska Stiavnica UNESCO Heritage - Self-guided

Itinerary

The natural setting of the Stiavnicke Hills mountain range stretches in Central Slovakia. Since 1979, the area has been known as Stiavnicke Hills Protected Landscape Area.
The area includes a unique set of mining monuments and a gem among the Slovak towns, Banska Stiavnica (UNESCO).

The unique elements of the landscape are artificial lakes called tajchy, once created for mining purposes. There are 23 such lakes, now used for recreation.

Banska Stiavnica, once the third-largest city in the Hungarian empire, is the center of our walking tour. The town's rich history is founded on gold and silver mining, resulting in an extraordinary architectural richness belonging to UNESCO.

1. Day 1 Arrival in Zvolen, Slovakia.

   - Arrival in Zvolen town
   - Meeting with our representative in Zvolen
   - Accommodation in a hotel; informal reception

2. Day 2 Hike from Babina to Svaty Anton.

   - Breakfast
   - Bus transport to Babina village
   - Hiking route: Babina - Svaty Anton
   - Accommodation in stylish guest house
   
   Zvolen - Svaty Anton (4 hrs)
   In the morning, short public bus transport to village Babina and start with a walk to Bansky Studenec village. Walk finishes in Svaty Anton village.
   A gentler open countryside walk takes you through beech and oak woodland to Bansky Studenec settlement with mining lake - tajch.
   The countryside route leads you to Svaty Anton settlement, dominated by the 18th-century mansion. Despite the shortness of the walk, leave early enough to arrive in Svaty Anton before closing time. A short stroll down the street leads you to your comfortable accommodation in a restored old pub.
   
   Route: Zvolen - Babina – Bansky Studenec - Svaty Anton

   Walk's details:

   

3. Day 3 Hike from Svaty Anton to Stiavnicke Bane.

   - Breakfast
   - Hiking route: Svaty Anton - Stiavnicke Bane
   - Accommodation in a guest house
   
   Svaty Anton - Stiavnicke Bane (5 hrs)
   Today's walk takes you through beech and oak woodland on the top of Sitno peak (1,009 m EASL), the highest one in the area. A bit challenging ascent to the top is followed by a gentle descent through the woods to Pocuvado lake. Continue to Stiavnicke Bane village to the guest house situated on the bank of the lake.
   
   Route: Svaty Anton - Sitno peak - Pocuvadlo lake - Stiavnicke Bane

   Walk's details:

   

4. Day 4 Hike from Stiavnicke Bane to Banska Stiavnica town.

   - Breakfast
   - Hiking route: Stiavnicke Bane - Banska Stiavnica
   - Accommodation in a guest house
   
   Stiavnicke Bane - Banska Stiavnica (5 hrs)
   Several alternatives and a diversion are available today. Suggested is a red-marked trail around the west side of the surrounding hills to Cervena Studna and then walk down into the architectural beauties of Banska Stiavnica UNESCO sites. Throughout the day you can enjoy magnificent views of Banska Stiavnica.
   
   Route: Stiavnicke Bane - Cervena Studna - Banska Stiavnica

   Walk's details:

   

5. Day 5 Sightseeing in Banska Stiavnica (UNESCO).

   - Breakfast
   - Banska Stiavnica sightseeing
   - Accommodation at the same guest house
   
   Banska Stiavnica is a former mining town and lies amid the forests of the Stiavnicke mountains. Banska Stiavnica is one of the most beautiful and historically one of the most important towns in Slovakia. The town is on the list of the World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
   Banska Stiavnica monument town reserve comprises as many as 360 structures. Together they present a unique set of high cultural and historical value, placed into the pleasant environment of the Stiavnicke mountains.
   
   The dominant sight of the town center is Old Castle (Stary zamok), west of Trinity Square. New Castle towers on the opposite hill, serving as a museum today. The monuments of Banska Stiavnica spread between Trinity Square (Trojicne namestie) and Townhall Square (Radnicne namestie). The Gothic church of St Catherine from the late 15th century separates the two squares.

6. Day 6 Hike from Banska Stiavnica to Vyhne village.

   - Breakfast
   - Hiking route: Banska Stiavnica - Vyhne
   - Accommodation in a hotel
   
   Banska Stiavnica - Vyhne (5 hrs)
   Hike up to Cervena Studna and then blue marked trail through the wooded edge cutting through the Stiavnicke hills to Vyhne settlement with thermal pool and comfortable accommodation.
   
   Route: Banska Stiavnica - Hadova - Kerling - Vyhne

   Walk's details:

   

7. Day 7 Farewell.

   - Breakfast
   - Short taxi transport to Zarnovica town to take train or bus back to Bratislava (other transport arrangements can be made upon request)
   - End of the tour

Overview