The volcanic range of the Štiavnica Hills is the only mountain range we have in the Tekov Region. Its southernmost spurs, with volcanic bedrock and mineral-rich soil, gave rise to fertile slopes covered with vineyards and a tradition of winemaking. Today it is a popular destination for easy hiking and cycling routes in the region.
Slovak Gate
The southernmost spurs of the Štiavnica Hills are the Kozmálovské vŕšky, separated from the range by a natural feature – the Slovak Gate, a narrow valley of the Hron river stretching from Hronský Beňadik to Tlmače. In the Middle Ages it was an important strategic and defensive point, forming the gateway to the mining towns of central Slovakia.
Today the Slovak Gate has been shaped by the construction of the road and railway. Its original beauty is best revealed from the Krivín crag above the village of Psiare. You can reach it via the blue-marked trail 2668 from Tlmače. It rewards you with a magnificent view over the northern part of Tekov, from the monastery complex at Hronský Beňadik to the villages of the čilejkár micro-region. The Krivín lookout is also one of the early medieval hillforts.
Carters and Miners
A pleasant walk is offered by the green trail 5125 from the village of Devičany to the hunting lodge at Žuhračka. It is also worth visiting the distinctive, highest-lying village in the region – Uhliská. During the socialist era this was home to the only ski resort in what is now Nitra Region. Today it has been replaced by another interesting attraction – Uhliská Furmanka – an international competition of carters and draught horses. The blue-marked trail (2668) runs through the village, connecting at the Lachtriská saddle (698 m a.s.l.), a short way above the village, to the Rudná magistrála (red-marked trail 0804), leading to the centre of mining history – Banská Štiavnica.
The villages of the Bátovce basin, south of the Štiavnica Hills, are also linked to ancient mining. The village of Pukanec, a former free mining town, takes pride in its mining tradition. Traces of mining history can still be discovered in the village today through the Along the Trail of Ore Mining nature trail, or the Štamposký jarok ravine, as well as the Exhibition of Pukanec History museum. Pukanec is also the place with the largest number of precious black mulberry trees. The neighbouring village – a former mining and market town also known as the Town of Queens – present-day Bátovce, provided the supporting ground for mining activity to function in Pukanec.
From the Saddle of a Bike
You can also enjoy the beauty of the Štiavnica Hills from the saddle of your bike (cycling routes). From the Pohronská magistrála (red route 010), the green cycle route 5126 branches off at Tlmače through the vineyard cadastres of the villages of Rybník, Čajkov and Nová Dedina, where you can connect to the green 5125 across the hills all the way to Devičany. Or take the ridge of the Štiavnica Hills along the blue 2114 from the village of Pukanec to Uhliská and continue on to Banská Štiavnica.
Trail tips:
1, green 5523: Bátovce – Pečenice – Jabloňovce – Segíňov horáreň – Dekýš mlyn – Počúvadlianske jazero – Sitno (from Bátovce to Dekýš mlyn also red cycle route 052)
2, blue 2668: Krivín – Priesil – Rakovec – Agraš – Tatiar – Krížny buk saddle – Veľký Veterník – Súdenica saddle – Uhliská – Lachtriská saddle (at Lachtriská, connection to the Rudná magistrála 0804 towards Nová Baňa, and on the other side: Vysoká and Banská Štiavnica – also the Slovak branch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route)
